He is enjoying his first season in the Real first team and it shows, as he doesn’t stop smiling throughout the interview. Nahia Aparicio (Tolosa, 2004) serves Mundo Deportivo in Zubieta as a main piece for Natalia Arroyo and eager to learn and enjoy.
How is everything for you? In a few months a lot has changed.
Yes, the truth is that last year I was at First National and the change was huge. The team helps me a lot, I have confidence in the team, in the staff, Natalia and I saw that. I am happy, satisfied with this opportunity and I want to continue learning and improving.
Was your promotion to the first team planned or was it a surprise for you?
They told me that the aim is to gradually get involved in the first team and move up. But it depends on how he played and how everything happened. It wasn’t that much of a surprise but I’m happy anyway. Plus they give me 4. What a number!
It’s not the same to step up gradually or step up and become a starter like you do.
That is. I also didn’t expect it to go up and play. But I think Natalia trusts me, she gives me minutes and what I want is to take advantage of this opportunity and continue to improve and enjoy myself.
How have you felt on the field so far?
Very good. In trust. I have people like Vanegas, Ana or Ane close by and they help me a lot and I notice the support of the team, which helps me a lot.
And how will they get to the derby?
happy Just another game but being a derby makes it special. I see the team with good feelings, training well, with enthusiasm. In the Euskal Kopa we did not play well against them, we know that Athletic have good players, that they are physically very good. La Real will do everything to bring home the points.
Are you itching veterans in the locker room that you need to win yes or yes?
Yes, quite yes (laughs). The captains tease you a bit. ‘They’re so fast, hey, we’ll start hydrating from Monday.’ There’s always a joke. But hey, I’ll do what I know and give it my all.
Where are the keys?
We think if we do what we know, with the ball output that we have, moving the ball from sideline to sideline, I think we can do a lot of damage. We know that their forwards are very quick, agile and in the Euskal Kopa they did a lot of damage to our backs. Taking that into account, I think the team needs to be solid at the back and then move forward bit by bit, build and see if a goal is scored.
Will anything change playing in Lezama, Athletic’s stronghold?
The truth is, no. We have and we want to play our thing.
Nahikari is going to dry it, what does that entail.
If I play…(laughs). I know Nahikari is very fast, he showed a lot when he was at Real. If Natalia takes me out, I will try to stop her from touching the ball, to make it difficult for her.
If the top positions move away, does the incentive lie in beating Athletic in derbies and staying top of them?
Yes, there is an incentive, of course. We want to compete and be as high as possible and I think we can be at the top, but we’re also not focused on being ahead of anyone. We want to play and get the points in every game.
Do you dare a result?
0-2.
Zero goal.
Yes, as a center back I have to sweep myself (laughs).
How does Nahia Aparicio see Real today? At what step?
I see the team with enthusiasm. To improve on last year above all else. I know it has not been an easy year for them and I see people who want to continue to grow and show what they can do at Real, which last year they still couldn’t do. I think we can be at the top, we can be fifth or sixth, yes.
How far can you take this course? What is your personal goal in your first year?
Natalia has a lot of players to choose from because we are four centre-backs and all of us can give a lot. Last year you told me this and I didn’t think I would play much but now I do. It’s true that Ana Tejada was injured and that might have helped me be more than eleven. But I’m focused, I don’t have any goals yet. First, take advantage of the minutes it gives me and gradually.
Do you see yourself from another demarcation beyond the middle part? You have played as a pivot, you are the Zubeldia of the women’s team, but in reverse.
(Laughs). Natalia sees me as a pivot and center back. I see myself more as a center back but the truth is that I have played pivot, albeit a little. He took me as a pivot one game but in the end I played third center back, the other day against Eibar for a few minutes…but I see myself as a center back, further. In the midfield there is also competition with Andreia or Iris.
You’re not like Rodrygo and company complaining about their other demarcations, right?
No, no (laughs). The more places you see me, the better, hey, the better.
What differences do you see between the players who have now reached the first team and the previous ones in terms of Zubieta’s training?
Like that. This year there are new players from outside and I discuss it with them and the way they train. Since I came to Real they prepared me to play in the First Division, the same work was done in the reserves and we now come ready for the first team.
He owns the subsidiary promotion. How do you see them now that you have left them orphaned from the center?
I still keep in touch with them, they are very good friends. I see them well, there are new people behind who got up from C and I see them looking forward. They are still a young team, with a lot of enthusiasm and energy and I think they can do a lot in the category and even finish at the top.
With everything set up in women’s football. What do you ask of football on a daily basis?
I think they need to value us a little bit. I am asking football to let us have fun and be who we are and with certain conditions.
Training every day on natural grass, for example?
It could be, it could be, yes.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
