LOPETEGUI: "EVERYTHING HAPPENS VERY QUICKLY AT VALLECAS AND WE HAVE TO BE FOCUSED"

Julen Lopetegui gave his pre-match press conference at midday, before the team's flight to Madrid to face Rayo Vallecano. The coach is aware of how difficult the match is, especially after Thursday's European tie, but he is confident in his team: "We're going into this after playing barely 24 hours ago, and tomorrow at 2pm we've got a tough match against a good team, who have spent all week preparing for it, and it's at a stadium which is a little bit different. I know Vallecas well and I know how difficult it is to play there, based on the team and how they go for it. Aside from that, we have to be able to develop what we must develop. A month and a half ago they had the best home record in Europe, of course the Copa del Rey could have used up some of their efforts, but now they're focused on LaLiga and I'm expecting to face a tough side. As for their statement about winning by any means necessary, if a team wins, they have to win on the pitch. It's a phrase that sometimes is taken out of context and it doesn't mean anything apart from their enthusiasm for the match, just like us. It's a very important match for us too". 

The team have to recover quickly: "After such a demanding match against a side that took us to the limit physically, and with just 13 outfield first-team players, because we've got Thomas and Ivan back but we've lost Joan due to suspension. Between now and tomorrow we'll see who can recover. We'll make the final decision tomorrow ahead of a very demanding clash. They're aggressive and intense, so we'll have to be very focused. Everything happens very quickly at Vallecas and we have to be focused". Lopetegui is also not looking at the league table: "I'm looking at the team in front of us, they're important and difficult. Looking at the table means nothing and we have to prepare for each match knowing it's difficult to win in this league. Every match is a battle, and even more so at Vallecas". 

After confirming that Martial will be in the squad, the coach was asked about the academy players: "As is normal, there will be academy players in the squad, because we have nine or ten players out. We have to use them and that indirectly affects the reserve team because we know they can help us, and a few of them have made their debuts. We're always keeping an eye on the academy". Lopetegui then spoke about Rayo's manager, Andoni Iraola: "He's doing a sensational job, just like he did at Mirandés. He's got his own style and you can see it in his teams. They just missed out on a spot in the final of the Copa del Rey, they're a tough side. They've been close to winning at home lately and that's the team I'm expecting to face tomorrow". 

To finish, he spoke about the number of missing players: "There have been lots of circumstances and factors. There's bad injuries, which means some players have to keep playing, there's COVID, international duty... Analysing this would take us a long time, but there's lots of factors. We're only thinking about solutions, and believing in those who are playing and having confidence in their abilities. When we have more players back we'll be more competitive, no doubt about that".