First team

CAPARRÓS: "WE HAVE TO SHOW THAT WE ARE A WELL-ROUNDED TEAM, BOTH AT HOME AND AWAY"

03/05/2018

The coach says there will be few tactical changes against Real Sociedad this Friday, emphasising that "our work has mainly focussed on the players' mentalities"

Joaquín Caparrós appeared before the press this Thursday in the press conference ahead of the match against Real Sociedad. The coach assured that "the players, not just me, are hoping to break this negative dynamic" and referring to the match commented "I see Real as a good side, with a lot of confidence, in a difficult situation they've gone from strength to strength. It is going to be a competitive and open match and it is important that we are strong defensively and offensively...We have to be compact, we have to show that we are a complete team, both away and at home, because in football you play for 90 minutes, but then there are phases where you don't play and thats when you need to concentrate. I want to communicate to my players that we all play, because that way everyone is hooked...We are going to try and make the fans happy, we want them to see that we are going out with a winning attitude".

The coach discussed the training sessions he has led so far: "spirits have lifted which was one of my objectives. When planning the sessions, we decided that training had to be good for them...At the end of the session we noticed this and we have seen a happier squad, more motivated, and this is how we need to continue. In football when you win you reinforce this, it improves mental attitudes".

"Red and white runs in the players' blood"

Asked about his first impressions, he responded "I've watched them and I've seen that red and white runs in the players' blood. We are going to put our all into tomorrow's game and strive for a good result against a great team".

"We are going to try and make the fans happy, we want them to see that we are going out with a winning attitude"."

With regards to Steven N'Zonzi and his possible appearance against Real, he commented "he is a professional, he knows what he has done and he has to take things in his stride...How can he change things? With a good attitude with the ball at his feet...That aggression, that attitude, that commitment, he has to channel it on the pitch with the ball".

Another name in discussion was that of Jesús Navas, who this afternoon did not train with the rest of the group. The coach clarified that his absence was solely precautionary: "Jesús could have trained, but we decided that he should sit this one out, we only 24 hours left and he has a small injury. He is alright and tomorrow he will be with us".

"It's less about the goals we do not score, and more about those which we concede"

Speaking about the variations he can introduce, he said "we may change one or two aspects, but our work has mainly focussed on the players' mindsets...The players have to take their talent out there".

Talking about the effectiveness of the team, he indicated "it's less about the goals we do not score, and more about those which we concede...When they are scoring against you it hurts your mentality...We have reinforce the defensive concept, and we'll see where this takes us".