GARCÍA PIMIENTA: "WE ARE AWARE OF THE DIFFICULTY AND WE JUST WANT TO TURN THE SITUATION AROUND"

Xavi García Pimienta spoke ahead of tomorrow's game in Valencia: "It's been a difficult week, after three consecutive defeats, but the team just wants to turn this situation around. Unfortunately, we had the double blow of the injuries to Akor and Vargas, as well as Tanguy's long-term injury, but they want to turn the situation around. We are going to a Valencia team who are in great form, but that doesn't change anything. The other day we competed against Atlético and lost in stoppage time. The team is more than ready to go to Mestalla to get the three points. We are aware of the difficulty and our only aim is to reverse this situation. Everything depends on playing a perfect match to get the three points there." 

He also made clear his confidence in getting back on track: "I know the club and the team I am in and how demanding it is. I knew it when I arrived and I know it now. We want to turn the situation around and win. When there are three defeats in a row it is logical that doubts arise, but we are blocking them out. Inside the dressing room there is no doubt, that the squad is more alive than ever and the players believe in this team and in themselves. When we do a post-match analysis, we analyse all the good things we have done and what has not been so good. Normally we do a lot of things well, but it is not enough because we lack effectiveness and we make mistakes in defense. We know that this is a very demanding game, and that we are a very good team, but if you are not at 100% the opponent can also hurt you. We must not forget that we have competed in every game. The other day we played a very complete first half against Atlético, a mistake condemned us to a penalty and we were able to match them in our desire to win. But on the counter-attack, they scored the winner. It's not that Atlético subdued us. But you have to be up to the game because your opponents have a lot of dangers and can punish you, as has happened in our last three games." 

Regarding his relationship with the club's leadership, he commented:"My relationship with Víctor and the president has remained the same since I arrived. The president calls me every afternoon to ask how training went and how I’m doing. That’s been happening all season. There’s nothing different compared to previous weeks. Everything feels completely normal, and I don’t sense anything unusual." Back to tomorrow’s match, he added: "I see a very strong and united squad, fully focused on these last eight games, starting with the match against Valencia. We believe in our chances, and I’m convinced we’re going to have a great end to the season." That said, injuries have been a setback: "I feel really bad for Akor and Rubén. It looks like they’ll be out for several weeks, and we’ll see whether they make it back in time for the end of the season, it all depends on how they progress. The worst thing that can happen to a player is getting injured because they can’t help the team. Rubén was playing an important role, getting minutes and making a difference. Akor brought something different in his first match as a starter and had already been out for several weeks. Sow and Pedrosa have trained, they still have some discomfort, but hopefully, over the next few hours they’ll be fit to play. They’ll be in the squad, but we’ll decide tomorrow how much they can contribute."

Returning to his own situation, he reaffirmed: "I’m feeling great, motivated and fully aware of where I am. It’s true that last year there was a really bad run at the end with Las Palmas, but the objective was achieved. And when you achieve the objective, everything else becomes secondary. We have 36 points, we’re in a comfortable position, and we have the chance to earn the right to fight for bigger goals. It’s going to depend on us, and aside from that, I’m focused on improving day by day." The fans have every right to show whether they’re happy or not, that’s not for us to interfere with. Every time we’ve given them even a little, they’ve carried us forward. If things aren’t going well on the pitch, the fans are right to show either their frustration or their joy. Unfortunately, we haven’t won at home since December. Just imagine what that means for everyone, especially for the fans. They want to see their team win, and we have to be at our absolute best to give them a performance they can be proud of."