LOPETEGUI: "WHEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES IMPROVE, THE TEAM WILL GET BACK TO WINNING WAYS"

Julen Lopetegui is fully focused on his team getting their first win of the season in tomorrow's match against RCD Espanyol at Cornellá-El Prat.

The coach believes that the team are ready for the clash with the Catalans, who picked up their first three points of the season at San Mamés last Sunday. 

"We're keen and ready to play well and come out on top against a good side. The team are excited and are looking to play well and get three points against a team in a good run of form, with a new coach and good players."

"We have to prolong our good spells in matches and be able to survive in more difficult scenarios. Keeping a clean sheet as important, and from there we have to grow and that confidence will allow us to strengthen the team so they can win matches."

"The only meetings that interest me are the ones with the team"

After a difficult defeat in midweek in the Champions League, he did not comment on speculation regarding his future and focused on his desire to improve the team.

"I haven't been in any meetings, the only ones that interest me are the ones with the team, to focus on and correct what we didn't do well and prepare for the next match in a measured way."

"We know that hard work will make us competitive, reliable, and winners. There are those circumstances but I'm interested in the energy of the players and being able to strengthen the team. I know this team can go for more, and what's already happened won't help us."

Julen is trying to look forward with optimism thanks to his experience.

"I've been involved in football for 20 years as a player and 20 more as a coach. I've seen all kinds of situations and this is my fourth year here, I've had difficult situations and others that are really nice, and we'll keep working hard to have those nice situations."

"Sometimes in football, being measured and having confidence sound like contradictory ideas, but based on my experience they help you the most. We have to look inwards, we want to win and we must win by doing everything possible, but we must be aware of the team's capacity in the medium term. When the circumstances improve, the team will get back to winning ways and bring excitement, no doubt about it."

"We're only focused on what happens on the pitch"

Lopetegui is keen to ignore what's happening off the pitch.

"I'm only thinking about what I can bring to my team so we're able to play well tomorrow. We're only focused on what happens on the pitch. There is that noise, but then there's what you have to do at every moment, make things easier, be measured, have some perspective."

"That's what teams need in many moments and it's what we'll try to do from our position, to convince the lads that they can play well against a team who have their outlets. There are four or five aspects of play that they do really well and we'll have to counter and overcome that. I don't see anything beyond that."

He spoke positively about Bono's reaction after the midweek defeat, and spoke about the importance of clean sheets.

"They're always very important. They allow you to stay in games. We have to live with that scenario, but also be able to score two if we concede. We know we've got ways to overcome it and boost our confidence."

Lopetegui confirmed that Fernando will be in the travelling squad, while Papu Gómez is a doubt. To finish, he is sure things will get better.

"We all know the circumstances, Monchi has tried to do things as well as possible and there's some circumstances we all need to manage so we can be competitive and win matches."

"I have no doubts that when the team is at cruising speed it'll be the team we all want them to be, but the main things is to beat Espanyol tomorrow and that's what we must focus on."