GARCÍA PIMIENTA: "WE HAVE TO BE COMPETITIVE AT EVERY STADIUM AND AGAINST EVERY OPPONENT"

Head coach García Pimienta spoke at the pre-match press conference ahead of facing Real Madrid: “It's the last game of the year. It's a big chance against a top opponent. We are going to compete and we can compete against anyone. The team is on the way up. We have to focus on our work and our way of believing that if we are at our maximum level, we will have chances. It's going to be difficult but we're ready for it.”

One of the names he was asked about was Saúl, who was absent from the training session due to a stomach virus: “Saúl told me that he had a bad night and the doctor has assessed him. He should be fine this afternoon and train with the team tomorrow.” He also spoke about the suspension of Isaac, Juanlu and Carmona for the match against RC Celta: “The club has made the appropriate statements. The only thing I can say is that the sanction is excessive. It is something that has happened and between clubs, there is nothing more to say." Moving on to the challenge of getting a positive result on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabéu: “We would have to build on all the things we did well at the Metropolitano. In many phases of the match, we were better, I don't know what then happened, up against a tough opponent in excellent form. We should be able to do those good things at the Santiago Bernabéu. We need to compete like that for 90 minutes instead of 60." Looking ahead to the match, García Pimienta confirmed that Álvaro García Pascual will be available after his debut in the victory over Celta: “Álvaro has been training with us all week, he's going to come with us. Tonight he won't be playing with the reserve team." 

"What better way would it be for Jesús to end with a win at the Santiago Bernabéu" 

He also spoke about Valentín Barco: “Valentín is another player in the team. There are many players, some play more and others less. If he doesn't play, it's because I think there are players who are better suited to the positions." He was then questioned about Qaarabag striker Juninho: “He has a contract with his club. After the winter break, there will be a month to assess the squad. There is one position that needs to be strengthened, which is the winger, and I have nothing more to say about the rest. He then spoke about having given Navas the perfect send-off at home: "Three guys from the reserve team made their debut, the winning goal was scored by a player from the reserve team. Now what better way would it be for Jesús to end with a win at the Santiago Bernabéu”.

“I have never had any doubts about Gonzalo. He is an international with Argentina. If he hasn't played more, it's because I thought there was another teammate. He is a player I have in my head and in my mind. The other day he played 85 minutes and performed at an excellent level. At the Metropolitano he gave everything he had. He always gives his best. I won't say if he's going to play or not because I don't know. If he stays and plays, he will have an excellent level,” he said about Gonzalo Montiel. García Pimienta also focused on the team's negative run against Real Madrid away from home: “Records are there to be broken. I believe that, if we are able to compete for 90 minutes as we did for 60 at the Metropolitano, we will be close to achieving something. In Barcelona, the second goal made us fall apart, that can't happen. Many things can happen in a match. We have to compete for 90 minutes. Against Celta we were outplayed in the first half and the team gave everything. We have to be competitive in any stadium against any opponent. The team has shown that.”

"The Santiago Bernabéu will welcome Jesús Navas for the legend that he is" 

He also highlighted the work of Iheanacho: “Kelechi trains well and is very loved by his teammates, very respected. For whatever reason he is not getting the minutes that make you have continuity and perform better. When you give everything you have, I can't say anything. We are here to help him. It is true that Isaac has played more and that conditions. I am very happy with him. It's something that can be turned around. We will talk about his options." He also had not doubt that the Santiago Bernabéu will honour Jesús Navas: “It's going to be spectacular. In all the stadiums he has received a standing ovation. The Santiago Bernabéu will welcome him for the legend that he is." 

Reviewing the season, García Pimienta consolidated his message of confidence in the squad: “I would have liked to have more points, I think we deserved to have more points. We have 22, if we don't have more it's because we haven't done something right. We have enormous potential, in the second half of the season we have to take a step forward." Finally, he wanted to focus Real Madrid's offensive potential: "Mbappé is a world star, an excellent player. At Real Madrid, there is talk that he is not in shape and he has scored a lot of goals. Real Madrid is not only Mbappé. We will focus on us."