GARCÍA PIMIENTA: "WE ARE IMPROVING EVERYTHING TO BECOME A COMPETITVE, WINNING AND EXCITING TEAM"

García Pimienta spoke at the pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow's match against RCD Mallorca. He began by pointing out "We've had four days rest and that's enough time to recover. Some players won't be able to make the squad due to knocks, such as Lucas and Montiel. Both Kike and Isaac are in discomfort but we hope that they will be fit enough to take part. We've had one more day than Mallorca to recover, so there are no excuses. There are players who are ready to play and who deserve to." 

"I want to think that the momentum will change. We've played two good games but with defensive errors, which is why we didn't win. The team recovered well against Villarreal and never stopped attacking and coming forward. I'm happy with the fact that the team goes all out for the games, we subdued a great team like Villarreal and were camped in their area. I'm optimistic about the bond with the fans who were full of support in the stadium. We lost because we made mistakes and the reality is that we have one point out of six. The team wants to and we owe it to the fans to go in the right direction, so that the results come within this process of change that we're going through," he added.

"Juanlu is playing there because his is versatile and we had some players unavaiable in that position" 

García Pimienta also commented "We spoke to Juanlu, I proposed the challenge of playing in midfield and he told me that he was ready, we had a few injuries and we could use that versatility. He's got a lot of finishing, he's got a lot of skill, he could have scored two goals already. He might be more involved there or elsewhere, it has nothing to do with the issue of right-backs. If Montiel stays, he will be another important player like the rest." 

With regard to goalkeeping situation, "Álvaro is here because he is capable of playing in Primera and for Sevilla. Goalkeeper is a more specialised position, but I'm happy with everyone, Nyland, Álvaro and Alberto. We are very happy. They are all ready for when we need them, depending on what we need them for. Defending is a collective responsibility. It is never the fault of one individual." 

"I wouldn't rule out anyway of playing up front; either with one striker or multiple forwards" 

"Isaac had a very clear chance and created other chances to score. He got an assist against Las Palmas. I'm not ruling anything out in terms of ways of playing, either with one striker or multiple forwards. We have to be prepared for everything, but he has the ability to play in different systems," he replied about the centre-forward.

"We haven't set ourselves any objectives, but to take it game by game and finish as high up as we can. If we stop making mistakes we'll be closer to winning and aspiring to something more. Now we have to think about Mallorca. We will have to defend well and be clinical in front of goal because we create chances. That's what it comes down to. At the end of it all, we'll be where we deserve to be," he said. 

"It is our responsibility to put the past behind us and build a team that competes and excites" 

"I trust all the centre-backs, that's why all five have already played. I'm going to name a strong line up. I know who is going to play tomorrow, but everyone is ready and alert. Marcao came on in a difficult moment but played very well. We're trying to work in the best possible way so that everything that has happened in the past no longer has anything to do with us. We want to be exciting. That is our responsibility. We make mistakes that are typical early on and we are trying to improve everything to be a competitive, winning and exciting team."