First team

MACHÍN: 'IF WE DON'T BRING OUR A-GAME THERE COULD BE SURPRISES'

31/10/2018

The manager confirmed that there will be changes against Villanovense and spoke about the new additions of Javi Vázquez and Mena in the squad list

Pablo Machín spoke about Thursday's game in Villanueva de la Serena and started with the squad list: 'It's the best squad we could put out given the circumstances to put out a good eleven and put in a good performance and take control of the tie. There will also be options on the bench should we need them to change the game.' The cup is not of any less importance for the Sorian: 'All games interest me and I'm in a club which has had a lot of success in this cup. I am obligated to take it with the most seriousness and I have to manage the squad so that we go as far as we possibly can in all three competitions. The circumstances are how they are with our injured players and we need to manage our players.'

'The team is clear, but maybe we will have to remind them that Atlético and Valencia had a tough time yesterday. We know that if we don't bring our A-game, there could be surprises. The players know that we have to rotate in some competitions and they accept that. That's our plan tomorrow and some players will have the chance to show that they deserve to play in other competitions. I'm sure they'll show that tomorrow.'

'The team is clear, but we have to remember that Atlético and Valencia had a tough time yesterday'

Machín confirmed that Juan Soriano will start: 'I'm not going to hide it from him. He is an international and he's already shown himself to be at a very high level. In addition to being an excellent professional, he is showing in training that he is improving and wants to keep getting better. He knows that he is a young player, but when he has the chance, he will show his quality.' Furthermore, he spoke about the team's injuries: 'Gonalons, as well as Escudero who is a bit further forward in his recovery, are training and doing work with the squad. But the doctors have told us we have to be careful because bone recovery needs time and if they return before schedule it could break again. Kjaer has suffered a break and will be out for several weeks, while we hope Mercado returns quickly from his cramp. Silva suffered the typical knock and we'll see how it develops. He has a lot of swelling and his recovery in the coming hours will decide whether or not he'll be able to play this weekend.

Asked about La Liga, the manager praised the good work done so far: ‘We always know what’s coming next in the league and that’s an advantage. In terms of pressure, the environment is demanding but the people are sensible and know how much they can demand. The team are in good shape, pulling through difficult situations very well because we’ve had a few injury problems. That’s not to say that there won’t be moments of weakness, but I’m sure the fans will see it as something normal. I always prefer to start well, give ourselves a cushion so that we can still be on top even if we have those moments of weakness.’

‘In La Liga we always know what’s coming next and that’s an advantage.’

He spoke specifically about another one of the players who have recovered in recent weeks: ‘Amadou was a footballer that we knew we could adapt to play as the pivot in defence. He’s young, but he has ability and it will depend on him to show what level he is at so that we know if we can play more matches with him at the back or whether we need to wait a bit longer. We’ve always had a shortage of options in that area, and the injuries have made things even more difficult, which is logical because we demand a lot from the centre-backs during transitions and bookings are often accumulated by players who play in that position.’

To finish he explained the role of the youth team players that will have their opportunity tomorrow: ‘Mena is already experienced and played in the Segunda last year. He’s a versatile player and because of that he trains with us often. He can play as a full-back, a wing-back and any of the positions in the middle of the pitch. Javi is more of a specialist who plays on the left. He’s adapting to playing as a wing-back because he has great quality with his crossing. He still has a bit to learn defensively but he’ll have three centre-backs behind him. He’s a player for the future, but he has to show us what level he’s at. We’re giving him the opportunity, knowing that we have the option of playing Escudero at centre-back.’