“We have to respect our shield”

“We have to respect our shield, which is what we always do: we represent Real.” In the modus operandi of Imanol Alguacil There is no possibility of throwing any competition and it will not be done in the Copa del Rey, because this match is against Málaga, an “important” and “historic” rival for the Real coach. “You know me, I’m excited; we have to play seven games to reach the final, we’ve won two and we want to win the third.” This is how Oriotarra faced off in the third round of the Cup at La Rosaleda.

He will do it without the internationals and nothing Andre Silva: “He had a little strain, we don’t know how many days he will be out, but we hope he recovers soon,” he revealed about the Portuguese, but not before warning that “soleus injuries are tricky and we ‘ will be seen.” The problem with the Portuguese striker is that “we haven’t used him for most of the year and it’s a shame, because he’s close to his best.”

In hut, Traore and Sadiqthat he could be gone in a month, also no regrets: “We’ve known this for a long time.” Imanol contemplating these absences, and of Remiro due to the suspension for the Bilbao derby, as “opportunities for other players”.

An ‘eleven’ with less change

This is the case, and coming from a “cool week” and then having five days to prepare for the rivalry against Athletic, an ‘eleven’ more league than the cup-winner is expected: “It will be best possible ‘ eleven,” warned the coach. oriotarra. “I don’t know if this is the usual lineup that you might have in mind, but I will put 11 that can face the game to win,” he said. Imanol. It is clear that the ‘boss’ of the locker room gives the highest importance to this competition: “We are playing for a place in the next round, to be closer to a final, the goal is very clear: to win to be to the next round.”

He doesn’t mind doing tests for the La Rosaleda derby because “there’s still a lot of time” for that match, but he’s convinced that “to get to that match well, we have to win this one and compete here . one.” And since “we don’t know which players will be available for the derby,” he assures that “the most important thing is it against Málaga.”

Easy on substitutes

With absences, the possibility opens for players with less participation so far to enter, such as Marrero, Odriozola, Zakharyan either Momo Cho: “Everyone has to be ready and available, that’s why we do the way we work. This is what worries and scares me the most. If they don’t play it’s because others are good, it doesn’t mean they are bad.” At this point he celebrated the 32 points with which his team finished the first round of the league and their extraordinary way of competing in the Champions League.

System change?

Imanol is not even ruling out changing the system and continuing the 4-4-2 with a diamond in the middle of the field due to the absences due to injury and international tournaments of three of his attackers. It’s an idea he had in mind even before the current situation of his offensive troops: “It entered my mind and not just now that they’re gone. We coaches have to always be thinking about it. It’s in my mind. . You see, it depends on the state of form of the players. If the wide players contribute like they did in their days barren and takewhy not continue with the same system, but I’m not afraid to change if we lack excess.”

The coach knows that the motivation with which Málaga will face the match will be through the roof: “For them it is very exciting to face Real, a team of Champions, the team that won this title three years ago ago.” But the Guipuzcoan coach does not believe that this is an advantage for the Costa del Sol team because “we are also excited. We know what stadium it is, that the people are excited, but our enthusiasm is the same.”

Malaga review

As usual, he studied his rival well, despite living two categories below: “In their category they want to press high, I don’t know if they will dare against us, but that’s what all games do,” he said. Imanol. He ignored his usual praise for the opponent: “He has very good technical players, those from the outside come inside to do damage; he has Dionwith a lot of experience, Robertthat’s a different forward…. He has his stuff,” he says.

Another reunion night

Imanol will meet again with footballers like Luca Sangalli and Jokin Gabilondothat he trained, as happened on Tuesday with him Guevara, Gorosabel and Alone, from Alavés. “I look forward to seeing them, love them and I wish them the best for the future. Together Luke I have been with many, in the youth team, Sanse and in the first team. His injury here is a shame, because there are doubts that he will be able to return, and what he has is because he has been almost out of action since October,” he says.

Another old acquaintance you will see is Lawrence Juarosthe sports director of Málaga, which is Real: “What is clear to me is that Lauren, Málaga got it right. It is clear to me that as long as they give him the time needed for a project to progress, he will take Málaga very far. I know the way of working very well Lauren and, if they give it time and resources, Málaga will take a very important step.”