CARMONA: "IT WASN'T JUST THREE POINTS BUT IT'S BEEN THREE DAYS AND WE HAVE TO PICK OUR HEADS UP"

José Ángel Carmona spoke at the midweek press conference. He began by reflecting on what happened at the Benito Villamarín: “I'm upset, as is normal, because losing this match hurts more than any other. Many people feel frustrated, it's not just three points, but it's been three days and we have to lift our heads and think about the weekend." 

Regarding the preparation for the match, he acknowledged that “for me it was a strange week because we couldn't all be together until Thursday, but that's no excuse. We started well, we took the lead, but we conceded two goals before the end of the first half. Especially the second one hurt us a lot, but in the second half we weren't up to it. Even if the game didn't go our way, we didn't have the grit and what it takes to play a game like that. The first goal was a series of mistakes. I don't think it's only the defense's problem because there are many aspects. The second goal was good play from them and Isco played a good pass but it's true that we lacked that decisiveness and how to play those last few minutes of the first half, and the second half would have been a different story." 

“We lacked the character to know that although we went ahead, the game is not over in the 20th minute. If you want a game to end in the 20th minute, you're always going to lose it. It's about time it happened again and we took a step forward”, he commented adding that ”we were all aware of the importance of this match. We were especially looking forward to it, but in the second half we were not up to the task, we were unable to turn the result around and I'm sure there will be a discussion this week ahead of our next game." 

In spite of everything, the European places are still within reach:  “I don't know if it's our worst run but we have just lost two games and there are nine left. We are four points away from European football, the possibility is always there, but we have to give everything to be able to look ourselves in the face at the end of the season and be happy, both for us and for the fans. It hurts me because I would like to be there. I'm lying if I say that my goal is not to be in Europe, but we've had some strange years, this year we're lacking consistency and we all have to give our best because we're very close to it. Let's not regret not having at least tried." 

Regarding the lack of quality in the squad, he assured that “the squad has incredible talent, I don't think that's what is holding us back. You plan the games one way and then it doesn't happen. It's true that we didn't have a plan B when we were behind on the scoreboard, but in the first half, we had chances. In the second half, the goal really affected us and we couldn't turn it around." Finally, he spoke about his personal season: "Personally, I'm happy because everything is going the way I wanted to. I'm getting a lot of minutes and the coach is trusting me, but I am frustrated that the results are not coming."