DIEGO ALONSO: "WE'RE TAKING TOMORROW VERY SERIOUSLY, BUT AWARE OF WHAT WE CAN DO"

Diego Alonso acknowledged in the press conference prior to the cup clash against Atlético Astorga that injuries are still holding us back: "It's true that we have a significant number of absentees and that reduces the possibility of being able to choose and look for the best options for each game. It's what we have to do and we don't use it as an excuse. 

"When faced with a problem, we have to look for a solution, like Nianzou, Pedrosa or Kike Salas, who scored a goal the other day. We don't make excuses, we look for solutions and we try to generate that confidence to maintain it and keep growing together in the same direction. That is the way forward. If football is unfair to us, we'll try to take it out on them later on". 

"Qualifying would also mean getting back to winning ways: "Every game is an opportunity for the players and for us to win and build confidence. We'll be ready to compete at our best tomorrow and the most important thing is to get through. It is a spectacular competition and we will try to go as far as possible. Let's approach each round seriously, knowing what we are representing and what is at stake in each game."

The Uruguayan acknowledged that the team must be more composed when they go ahead in the game, but also not to go down easily: "I think the mental aspect is important. The team needs to be stronger, because at this level all aspects are equally important, but after the goal the team kept going forward. We didn't have time to defend, because on the first ball they equalised and we have to correct that. After working for so many minutes to score, we could have clearly defended better, but we got up as we did in other games, like Arsenal, Cádiz, Celta... Against Real, the team scored and came out on top. It's not that the goals have left us down, but we've struggled to hold on to our lead when we've scored. We need to adjust, defend better and generate a bit more desperation in our opponents to take advantage."

"We'll probably have some home-grown players in the squad, but there are issues relating to their professional status"

As for shareholder matters, after last night's AGM, Alonso recalled conversations with the president and vice-president before training: "I spoke with them. They were both reassuring, giving us peace of mind and always talking about sporting matters. It's something I value a lot from both of them, that they have always talked to us about the problems, but within football. It is important because it allows us to focus only on that aspect. There are things we can influence, but some things aren't worth stressing about because we can't do anything." He also said that there will be a home-grown player in the squad for tomorrow: "We'll probably have some home-grown players in the squad, but we also have an issue with the amount of players without professional contracts. We're taking that into account, but we're not afraid of using the youngsters."

Lastly, the head coach touched on Wednesday’s opponent: “We’ve watched several of their games. They knocked Andorra, a good side, out of the cup and they’re going to be playing at home. They’re intense, strong at the back and quick up front. But, with all due respect to [Astorga,] we know we go there as favourites. We know we have to turn up, the importance of the match and the capabilities of the opposition. We’ll treat this game exactly how we treated Villareal and PSV. The same approach, competing with the same intensity, respecting the opponent but more importantly our own club and the badge we fight to defend. Playing every three days doesn’t allow you to train to your full potential as there is so much recovery and activation work, which of course is also vital.”