SAMPAOLI: "IT WILL BE DIFFICULT BECAUSE THEY ARE A TEAM PRIMED FOR PROMOTION, PLAYING AT HOME"

Jorge Sampaoli spoke on Monday about the upcoming clash in Vitoria, still with the painful defeat on Saturday fresh on his mind: "We understand that there are a lot of things to analyse and that the final score doesn't reflect everything that happened in the match. Since the break, this is the first game we've lost and we lost right at the end. We could have won it because we were better in the second half and we lost it on a specific decision."

"That's what football is all about, we have to delve into our performance and improve the structure and that's what I'm here for, so that the team has a structure and that beyond the mistakes, which we regret, we continue to believe that we can turn things around."

On the margin for error in the season, he said that "when I arrived the club was in the same situation as it is now, very dangerous and urgent and with many institutional and sporting problems.  I came to try to help with my way of feeling about football and to see the possibility of changing the course so that the team does not suffer as it has."

"I get up every day with this goal, so that the team can collectively achieve a better level of play. We have to understand, as coaches, that we have to try to improve the collective and delve into the individual side of the game so that we can get better as a squad."

"When we can't play in the opposition's half, the ball comes back to our half and that's where we have to improve, that area makes us uncomfortable and where we sometimes make risky decisions. Playing a lot of passes in our own half, with the opposition close and pressing, is not ideal. We have to go out, get into the opposition's half, and start bringing the game to them."

"Against Getafe, we sent a lot of balls into the opposition's half in the second half, they came back quickly and we had a bad time. Girona's play gave rise to unusual situations that allowed them to score. There were many other situations where the team played well and generated chances."

"Otherwise, it would be all back and forth and I don't feel football that way. I try to get the team to push forward with the ball and the teams that can change things up are the ones that stay in the game for a long time. I don't want the ball to constantly be in the wrong place."

"I don't want the ball to constantly be in the wrong place"

When asked about Alavés, he noted that "they are an aggressive side and even more at home. They are going to try to put pressure on us and if we start to feel suffocated, it will be difficult. It's a ground where the home support is very vocal and they encourage their team to attack. The team has a lot of energy to regain possession and go on the attack. It will be difficult because they are a team primed for promotion and they are going to be competitive, especially at home. We will have to see what tactics we use in this scenario when faced with such a challenge." Regarding his relationship with the fans, he said that "the best thing that can happen is we are united. On Sunday, we hope that the match against Cádiz will be a party, and not a torment for us. If we arrive at the stadium under pressure because there are protests, it is likely that there will be more to lose than gain. But  this comes as a result of a form expression accepted in this crazy game which we call football, where anything foes and we have got to get on with it."

Regarding the transfer market: "Before arriving here I made an analysis of what I had and what I lacked in order to be able to form a team that I want as a coach. On the 31st the market closes and I will have to see, from there, how I a manage a situation which I cannot predict. It will strengthen me as a coach, because I have to make sure the team functions with what I have at my disposal, and wins games that I hope will make sure there is a clear improvement to the situation we currently find ourselves in. I am not in a position to decide if this project is correct or not because that is down to the directors. I analysed the situation when I arrived and overall things have started to function better, just not in regard to the results. We will have to see what decision the club takes", he said.   

"It is not a time to cry nor complain, but work for the club"

He dismissed that he is thinking of stepping aside: "When one is within a club and has the desire to help, I work every day and I have a lot of excitement and I see many improvements in many aspects of the club. It is my job to keep on working and it is not a time to cry nor complain, but work for the club. What is done is done and I have to see how I do with what's on the horizon. I will give my all so that the club does not stay in this position. If I made the best decision or if they lied to me or not, it is an issue for me and the directors to sort behind closed doors. I do not intend to change this. Sometimes one thinks that the best option is to escape, but what excites me is to stay and continue."

Finally, he spoke about Badé and how he has settled in ahead of some crucial fixtures this week: "They are two important matches in Copa and in LaLiga. When signings arrive, they become gradually become more settled into the squad. Badé came following an inactive period and he is putting in a lot of effort. We are trying to put something together that makes us more consistent. We want Badé to play a different way for him and his teammates. Football is about decision making and we make ours as a collective unit."