First team

BERIZZO: "MÁLAGA ARE A WOUNDED OPPONENT WHO WANT TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THEIR TRAJECTORY"

29/09/2017

The Argentinian coach suggested there will be minutes for Luis Muriel and again insisted on the need for "a more dynamic game, going forwards and defending"

Eduardo Berizzo spoke to the media before tomorrow's league clash with Málaga CF, first addressing possible rotations in the centre of midfield: "Both N'Zonzi and Banega play continually and we don't want to run the risk of any setbacks. At the same time we need continuity and pace, and we imagine we'll be refreshed in the centre of the park". He recognised the Andalucian clash is always slightly special: "The circumstances we're in and Málaga are in gives a lot of meaning to the game. It's good to go into the international break with a win and they come off a difficult start. They're a wounded opposition with the hunger to straighten out their trajectory and we need to keep being direct and quick in attack. That's our idea for tomorrow".

On the rumours of a possible sacking for Míchel should the result be unfavourable, Berizzo wanted to show maximum respect: "Without knowing him personally I have an admiration for him, I respect him a lot and to talk about sackings is something which doesn't show much sensitivity. I don't want it and nor does anyone and I respect it's his own business to talk about. Málaga have had an untypical start and the boss will want to put it right, just like we will want to win with maximum respect". The Madrid-born coach will return to a stadium which has been practically impregnable in past seasons: "It's always been a fortress, a difficult place for away teams to come because of the drive of the team and the stands. That atmosphere and that energy emanates from every corner. For us it's a huge weapon and that has been the way in all local matches. It makes us a solid and well backed side".

"The Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán has always been a fortress. It's a huge weapon for us"

There could also be changes up-front, despite Ben Yedder's recent hat-trick: "I have to protect Luis so that all the praise or responsibility doesn't fall on him. I also have to satisfy Ben Yedder who is in a great spell of his career and solidify the matter of who competes with him. Both have to potential to score a lot of goals but they need good service. You can't do anything if the team around you doesn't help you. It would be difficult to take out Ben Yedder after scoring a hat-trick but I consider other things too, like that he just played 90 minutes and I don't want to wear him out. Luis also needs the backing of the coach. All these things are important and I have to be aware of them when making decisions".

He highlighted the importance of a direct game, whoever is played on the day: "We have witnessed performance that has propelled the game forwards, as I would have liked to have seen. If Nzoni and Banega return to the game exhausted, it is only logical to refreshen the team. Either with con Krohn-Dehli, Sarabia, Pizarro or Mudo Vázquez, we have to find the game between the lines and change our gears so that we play a game that is both direct and quick".

With Sampaoli the game was different and Berizzo recognises that work needs to be done: "The team was accustomed to having more possession and control. I envision a more dynamic game, one that is back and forth. Sometimes after a change of coach, the team enters into a process and the characteristics of our centre field are influential, but whoever plays must accelerate the attack. With a more structured game we mustn't exploit our values because we need these qualities that free us". With regards to names, he was asked about the development of Correa: "It is very good and he has found something that we all would want, including myself, which is to advance forward. He performs well one on one and must take advantage of this if he is to keep providing great balls".

"With a more structured game we mustn't exploit our values because we need these qualities that free us"

Finally, he spoke about the latest report from La Liga following the games against Las Palmas and Atlético Madrid: "I am able to speak about my people and my stadium. I believe that the team performed better against Las Palmas, taking care not to overstep the mark concerning their behaviour. We must change peoples perceptions when they are enthusiastic towards a game. We must stretch our limits because we run the risk of becoming more rigid and losing the passion and sentiment of the game".