GARCÍA PIMIENTA: "WE WANT TO REPLICATE THE PERFORMANCE FROM OUR LAST MATCH"

Xavier García Pimienta spoke at the pre-match press conference ahead of facing RCD Espanyol tomorrow evening. Our head coach began by emphasising that “We were coming off the back of two bad results, but as soon as we got the win against Girona the players were saying how important it was. We had the feeling that the game was how we wanted to go despite the negative things that happened before we equalised. We are happy and that is the way we want to go. If we do that, things may happen that we don't like, but we will be close to winning. Now comes a very tough opponent that is fighting to avoid relegation and we have the challenge of making it back-to-back victories. We want to replicate the performance and we have to keep it up for the fans who deserve it." 

“We have not disrespected Kelechi at any time, clearly he has played less than others, I understand that, but disrespecting him, we have never done that. I am happy with him and he trains well. For me he is a player like any other in the squad and tomorrow he will be included," he commented on Iheanacho. 

"We have played well after wins but have not been able to get the results" 

Pimienta also mentioned that “We are not going to relax. We have played well after wins but have not been able to get the results. The challenge this week is that, to make it back-to-back wins in front of our fans and bit by bit we will achieve the aims we set ourselves in the squad." 

He was asked about Sevilla Atlético's striker, Antonetti: “He has the misfortune of occupying a non-EU spot and so couldn't use him until now that Gonzalo has left. He has trained all week and will be included in the squad. If he has to play, he will, because we track his progress closely." 

"We don't have Isaac but we are not going to make any excuses" 

About the match: "I have the starting eleven clear if the game were right now, but we have to wait until tomorrow. I’m also clear about what could happen during the game and the decisions we might have to make. We don’t have Isaac, but we’re not going to make any excuses. Whoever steps onto the field is ready to do well, and I’m convinced that’s how it will be."

He also commented on Barco: "He’s still feeling discomfort, hasn’t trained, and is looking for a move away. We don’t know when it will happen, but it would be the logical outcome. For me, it’s very important to bring in a left-back because we need one."

"We need to know how to suffer, limit their key players and put them on the back foot" 

About Suso: "I don’t know if there’s anything going on. He’s a fantastic player, but he’s not getting the minutes he expected. I wish him the best. He’ll be included in the squad, and I understand he has market value and will want more minutes than he’s currently getting."

"The fact that they are in the relegation zone doesn’t think it will change their style of play, although they’ve made some changes recently, and it has worked better for them. We need to take the initiative, know how to endure, limit their key players and defend set pieces well. Everything comes down to putting them on the back foot on the pitch and making tomorrow’s match very tough for them as a team," he concluded about the opponent.