He Girona plays on Sunday at the Athletic Club stadium (2 p.m., Movistar). For this match, Míchel will not be able to count on Callens, injured, but recovers Valery. The Madrid coach gave his approval to extend his association with the club beyond 2024, when his contract ends
DOWN
“Callens has been injured and Yangel, Couto and Kebe are still out. Valery is already well and can compete. We have some more doubts, like Toni Villa, because he hurt his knee and we will see if he can travel. The rest are good”.
PROJECT
“Being able to take part in an event like that of the Ciutat Esportiva is spectacular for me. I feel like I’m one more in Girona, I’m delighted because it’s a historic day. I think it’s a step forward for the very, very big club. I hope to train in the facilities that will be built”.
ATHLETIC
“He’s a team player, for me he’s the best in pressure. He forces you to defend for a long time, we’ll need to play a big game. We have to get them to run at his back, because the team is going up. There will be an atmosphere spectacular, the field is incredible. We want to win and the stage is beautiful.”
GAME PLAN
“The talk was about whether we are interested in a controlled or electric game. Because after winning, maybe we are a little bit arrogant. And we have to know how to suffer, because at times we will defend more than we will attack. And the player must know this situation, because it can happen. I didn’t put the video against Almeria because of that. We can make a partisan and win, but I don’t want the player to find himself in a situation that we haven’t prepared. I want to press up and we will do it, for sure. And l “team wants to have the ball, and we will, for sure. But Athletic also plays and I need Aleix, Borja or Tsygankov to understand that it is necessary to suffer and that may be without the ball. In this sense, we will have to take a step forward, because otherwise it will be very difficult to take something positive from San Mamés.”
CAPACITY OF SEDUCTION
“I already said that this season is for personal growth, for the team, for the club… I have never done anything in Primera and I think that the Ciutat Esportiva is the first step to demonstrate this feeling. If you see Romeu, Yangel, Tsygankov… apart from the players who have grown up with us… All this makes it a showcase for future players. Girona is doing things spectacularly and it’s the best place I can be. And in the sporting aspect, the club has worked very well.”
RENEWAL
“I want to be here. My feeling is more important than the contract. I’m good here and I’m happy, and I want to keep the category and be there for many years. If it comes true, it would be great news.”
RELAXATION
“There is no field where we do not have motivation. It is impossible, because we are the last to reach Primera. Being in the elite is a prize that we have earned, but we must earn our permanence. We must respect humility to any opponent. Sunday will be a spectacular game, but in Cadiz it was the same for me. And every opponent is like that, I don’t think any footballer thinks differently. If we do things right, beating anyone is possible. And we are a team that when it has competed in its best version, the opponent has a hard time”.
EUPHORA
“It is important to show personality and that we are ourselves, because all the rivals have a very high level. If we play as we know how, why can’t we win in San Mamés? The only difference I made this week is not to put the video of the post-match, which we always analyze to observe the improvements. Because after achieving a result like the other day, we were on television a lot: I saw the six goals a thousand times. That’s why I point out to you the wild pressure exerted by the “Athletic for ninety-six minutes. We will suffer, but we can also enjoy.”
CALENDAR
“I want to win this one. I look at the performance, against Betis we lost because of small details, but we were superior. Against Atlético de Madrid we played a very good game. The result does not indicate anything, but in Cadiz we were not the team that everyone wants, and that’s the way it is. I’m just asking the player to be himself on Sunday. Nothing more. We’ll win or lose games, but our best version will give us a try.”
HOLDERS
“The team is fantastic, because everyone gives their best every day. I always say that if we train as a team, collectively, with commitment, the team benefits. This is so. Javi Hernández proved it on the other day, also Tsygankov, scoring a goal and making an assist, Riquelme in Cadiz is a substitute, he comes out, scores and assists. We have a great team, it’s not words, it’s the truth. My concern is that everyone gives their best: eleven for sure that they’re happy, but I need all twenty-four of them to be.”