LOPETEGUI: "WE'RE AWARE OF THE ATMOPSHERE IN VIGO"

08/02/2020

The manager is sure that Celta will finish in a higher position in the league, and is paying no attention to recent form

Julen Lopetegui has given his pre-match press conference before the side travel to Vigo tonight ahead of tomorrow's match against RC Celta: "As we always say, we're expecting a game with both sides fighting to achieve their aims, and we're up against a good side in Celta, they have a good squad and they will fight to get out of the situation they find themselves in, and they're playing well. We're fighting to achieve our aims too and continue our good season, we will play with ambition in a tough setting. We're aware of the atmopshere there and we're prepared to go out for all three points".

The Basque is paying no attention to the form book: "Tomorrow is game 23 of a 38-game marathon. We've done things well so far and we'll keep going. There'll be moments where things go better or worse, but we have to go into tomorrow's game knowing that something going well or badly doesn't help or hinder you. What helps or hinders you is how you play against a good side. They're going out in search of results and it will be an interesting and demanding game for both sides".

For the manager, as long as the team win, it's the ideal moment: "It's always time to win, it's always a good moment. In football, favourites don't exist, the competition is very even. We're aware it's like that and we have to be capable of showing the values that we have. Tomorrow, they will be demanding, on both a personal level and as a whole. They're playing well at the moment and I am convinced that they will finish in a different part of the table. They aren't meant to be fighting relegation, and what's happened so far has no bearing on tomorrow. We're focusing on giving our all, as always".

"It's always a good moment to win, it's always time to win"

The manager also said how it's natural for the team to be going through a tough moment: "Every moment is different. We have to win and we want to do so. This is the moment that we're facing. The hard part is making sure we're focused on what we did this week. It's a long season for everyone and, as Luis Aragonés used to say, the important thing is we have to go into the last eight or ten games in a good place. The ones that arrive there best, achieve their aims. We're in that process and we have to run this marathon with excitement and ambition".

Also, he said what has happened in recent years in the second half of the season is not relevant: "If you take examples from recent years, there's always good and band ones. It does nothing for you. Looking backwards doesn't work in football, what works is going day by day and giving your best. That's what we're about".

To finish, he spoke about Celta's objectives: "The situation could become even more complicated for them, but every match is difficult, it's almost like they're fighting for a different aim because they're a good side". He also spoke about Aspas and their forward line: "He's such a good player, on an extraordinary level. They also have Toro, Santi Mina, Smolov... we're talking about good players and above all a good squad".