Extraordinary atmosphere last Saturday
Dioni: “It was a spectacular day. This welcome is experienced in few places, they gave us such a boost. They took the lead and we managed to turn it around. From the outside it’s worse, there are more nerves. I really enjoyed watching the team compete.”
Alfonso Herrero: “We came to experience days like Saturday. Very special, enjoying with friends, family and a united dressing room. We’ll never forget it and it gives us more strength to face the next game and win.”
Nàstic – analysis of the rival
Dioni: “They are a different rival, nothing to do with Celta Fortuna. They have conceded few goals but haven’t scored many either. We are two even teams, similar in the way we play. They are also different because Celta are a reserve team without pressure whilst Nàstic will feel the pressure, as they’ve recently been in the Second Division. It's going to be a pretty balanced and tough game.”
First match at home is key
Alfonso Herrero: “We are firmly focused on the first game. The most important thing is to be strong at home and get a good result. We have our feet on the ground, it's a two-way game, but we're going to do it.”
Dioni: “The key is Saturday at La Rosaleda, getting a good result with our fans and knowing that it will be difficult there.”
A great opportunity for Dioni
Dioni: “It's a gift to be here. Everyone wants to play more, those who come out do well, there is a good level of competitiveness. It's time for everyone to join in, I experienced it from the match and warming up on the sidelines. I have that plus of being here. It’s a special feeling. I think football is going to give it back to me. I have lost three times on penalties, goals in the last minute. Football is going to give it back to me by being promoted with Málaga.”
Ready for everything
Alfonso Herrero: “It makes sense that the team that is highest is rewarded by playing the second leg at home. These dynamics are there to be broken, the team is more than ready. Everything happens at La Rosaleda, we know this. Next week we’ll focus on the next game, there is a mental aspect and an implicit know-how in the players. It’s important to manage each match context to achieve what we want.”
Dioni: “This is a tough rival, you have to be mentally strong. It will be a very tense match, you have to control the small details. In Ceuta-Nástic there was an expulsion and the game changed. Those details matter, you have to be focused on all the actions, this will be key, even if it seems silly.”
A great dressing room
Dioni: “In the end it is shown throughout the season that there has been no conflict in the dressing room. On Mondays the people who have played less have trained very well. I have lived the other part. Here the coach is on top of the people and presses us. These are moments, I want to play, but now is the time when other teammates are playing. It’s time to do our bit, be it one or two minutes, and give one hundred percent. May we all feel supported, in the end we are all one.”
Alfonso Herrero: “We can’t wait for the weekend. The week is feeling long even though you have to recover physically. There is a lot of excitement in the dressing room, I have never been in a dressing room that feels so strongly about the colours and represents the values of the Club. With the win of achieving something nice for the city and the Club. We are super focused, prepared for this moment. We have the weapons to achieve it.”
Fans’ joy
Dioni: “We can make a lot of people happy, there is pure Malaguismo everywhere. We will be happy if we achieve it. We’re looking forward to the game because the days before are very tense. Not long to go.”
Keeping a clean sheet is crucial
Alfonso Herrero: “I promise you to win regardless of the goals they score against me. The result at home is important for the return leg. I am calm, content and happy because the day to day life is very good, and my teammates are working hard. People are committed to a team, who never give up, even if they are not doing so well, like Dioni, and put the good of the group before that of the person. In a few years, when we think about it, we will all want to be in this dressing room.”