First team

PABLO MACHÍN: "THE EXAMPLE IS THE FIRST-LEG, WHERE WE PLAYED WITH RESPONSIBILITY"

01/08/2018
The manager recognised that the side need to replicate their first-leg performance: "in the first-leg everything rolled on from scoring early, winning a penalty and the sending off"

Pablo Machín spoke at the Ferenc Szusza Stadion this Wednesday evening, following the pre-match training session on Újpest's own turf. He made it clear there would be no relaxation in the second-leg of Sevilla's Q2 Europa League tie: "We know we come with a very favourable scoreline but we've seen over the course of history that there are circumstances in which very confident teams struggle. Like good professionals, we're going to take it with the most discipline, knowing that everything has rolled over in our favour in the first-leg because we scored early, got a penalty and because of their red card. The example to follow is the first-leg, which we played with the upmost professionalism, so we can get through this tie and then start thinking about the group stage, which is where the Club deserves to be at the very least".

The Hungarian press asked about the Final but the new coach preferred to be prudent: "We know that it's very difficult and that the objective is to keep getting through ties. Before any hypothetical final, which is a very demanding and ambitious aim, we have to get through qualifying rounds and get to the group stage and then to where our opponents and quality will let us get to". He also kept his hand close to his chest regarding a starting eleven: "The best thing is to confirm it tomorrow when we publish the team. I trust the players and we'll try to put out the best eleven, knowing that there are internal circumstances like injuries and players who've trained less. Putting everything together we'll find a good team, knowing that the tie isn't over and that we can't get complacent".

"Putting everything together we'll find a good team, knowing that the tie isn't over and that we can't get complacent"

"It's the first time I get to manage in these games but for me they're all important. La Liga doesn't let you relax because objectives are achieved against mid-table opponents and lower. That's achieved with high motivation and respecting everybody. With regards to Europe, knowing how difficult it is to get there, it's already enough motivation to not relax. We know that all the teams who are here are of high level and that anyone can beat you".

This season is untypical and any test can have it's downfalls: "It's difficult because we're in pre-season but for us, all matches are already official. When you play pre-season you assume you can lose but we can't even think about it. We've tried to put everything together, taking physical aspects into account, knowing that the first-leg put the tie on track. We'll look for a competitive eleven so everything doesn't fall apart".

"We need to play these qualifiers, with the pride that afterwards we have a final and the chance to win a title"

"Anyone would like to come up against a test like this. The circumstances are the way they are and we need to play these qualifiers, with the pride that afterwards we have a final and the chance to win a title. A Club like this is accustomed to playing two matches a week and we'll continue with that dynamic, with the knowledge that our squad probably won't be finished until the end of the market. Everything is a challenge and we'll give everything for it".

Finally, he talked about the emotion of his debut on Thursday: "You have to put in a lot of effort to have an opportunity like that. There'll be other days that excite me as well because the challenge is difficult and the fans - if the other day, was nearly full, later on it'll be right to the brim and will push us on well. I hope to have a lot of good sensations this season".