“I watch a lot of games for work, but I always try to make time to watch my Atleti”

Jose Antonio Contreras (Tarazona de la Mancha, 1993) is the current sports director of Elche, the youngest of the First and Second. After making merit as a chart member of this organization in recent years, the departure this summer of Chema Aragon He put him in charge of the club’s sporting affairs. This Wednesday, you will experience one of the most exciting matches for ‘Pepico‘ as many know him because he is a fan of Atlético de Madrid and even calls himself a “soldier of koke”.

How is the matchup with Atlético de Madrid experienced inside Elche?

Happy, because we know that a match like this in the pot against one of the big three is a good thing for Elche, because we haven’t fought First Division teams for a long time. Exciting for the fans. Exciting for players. This is an additional incentive because we know that it will bring us a lot of people, because it is very frequent in this area, and above all because of the economic impact for the entity.

Do you want to be Atlético de Madrid?

Among the three teams above, like Barça, Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid, it doesn’t matter to us which of the three. There are personal situations that are exciting for some players and even some staff members, but hey, between the three teams above, it doesn’t matter to us.

Any memories of Elche’s last victory at home against Atlético?

Undoubtedly, many players remain in that group. There are players who have experienced this themselves, it is clear that even if the match is difficult it gives proof that you can win again. You can compete head-to-head with that group. Passing the round would be a historic milestone for the entity.

What is Elche now? What awaits Atlético in the Cup?

What is shown in the Second Division, and what is shown against Las Palmas in the Cup A team that likes the ball like Sarabia teams. A team that is comfortable, that has possession, that is comfortable putting the opposing team in its field, that is comfortable accumulating passes to reach the opposing goal. On top of that, he mixes possession well with verticality on the outside with the wingers. Always try to recover the ball quickly after losing it. He’s not under pressure or bad because he doesn’t have the ball, he knows he can defend his goal and that’s where he can hurt his rivals because he’s closer to the attack in that area. Against a rival like Atlético de Madrid, who have so much quality, this will also make it difficult for them without the ball.

You haven’t lost since November, I understand that the team is improving, right?

Yes, this is a group that has been late to arrange signings. Several players arrived late. Three on the last day of the market. Because of this, the adaptation of latecomers and the group itself takes longer to develop. I think the match against Zaragoza in the first round is a turning point for everyone to look forward to. From then on, the team started to take the coach’s ideas and won the whole game in the games. It has gained popularity, and it is believed that all hard work can pay off and as a result of that work, results are included. The feelings are very positive. We have no doubt that we want to extend it as long as possible in order to reach the final stage of the season with our options in full.

Going on a personal level, what does this match against Atlético de Madrid mean to you?

It was a very exciting match. This is my first season where I’m in charge of the sports field alone, and facing the team you’ve been a fan of since you were little is honestly very exciting. It means a lot. Also being aware that Elche is the team I belong to now, gave me the opportunity to grow sportingly. Team that is in my heart now, team to which I owe everything.

You’re an Atlético fan, and you’re not hiding it because a few days ago on April Fool’s Day, the club shared a photo of you as a kid wearing the Atlético de Madrid kit. How do you remember that moment?

It’s something I’ve always had. Everyone is a fan of any club, which is not linked to the place where you work. I think you need to be professional and know where you are working now. He wishes him the best for Atlético de Madrid in all the games of the season, except for us. Because obviously we want to win the game. From there, I will obviously celebrate all the victories of Atlético, and win all the titles, except the Copa del Rey.

How do you see Atlético de Madrid this season?

Well, I think he has adapted a lot to his way of playing. I think they changed their game a lot during the season, there were times when it seemed like they couldn’t find the team, especially in the beginning, their idea or style and they became a more showy team when they had it. the ball. I think he’s more dangerous, and it allows him to reach the final third of the field with more advantages. I think, in terms of transfers, signings like Julián Alvarez or Sorloth help him a lot to make that step in terms of goals, which is one of the ones he should have in previous seasons. So, I think those of us who are athletic enjoy this version of the team more, and hopefully we will have good results other than Wednesday.

Now, in his daily life, he has to watch a lot of games as a sports director. Is it harder for you to watch Atlético games?

I always try to make time to watch Atlético. In the end, that was the moment I got to be with my grandfather in the living room, it was special because of everything it had for us. It’s true that I’m overworked, but it also has competitions during the week that are easier to follow like the Champions League, and schedules that don’t coincide with Second Division matches like in the evening or at two o’clock, and it makes it easier things for you.

Which Atlético player would you sign for Elche?

To everyone. I think, logically, players like Griezmann in everything he has achieved and the history he is making is amazing. I feel a certain predilection for Koke, I am a Koke soldier as he says. For everything he gives to the team, for everything he assumes around the ball. I was lucky enough to spend two hours with him in person and he showed me to be a complete athlete for what he gave me.

In fact, I understand that Koke had a nice move on your grandfather in Atlético de Madrid’s last game in Elche, correct?

Yes. Koke had a detail with my grandfather on his 90th birthday where he sent a video with Santi Denia to congratulate him along with some other players and former players. Later, when they were playing here, my grandfather gave him cakes. Even after the team’s defeat, he duly attended the occasion. He told him that Atlético are people like my grandfather, he thanked him for his daily support and love. It says a lot in his favor and shows what Koke is.

What is your best memory of Atlético de Madrid?

The Copa del Rey we won at the Bernabéu. I experienced it with my grandfather in the house of the eternal rival after many years of drought at the national title level and losing derbies. After a very intense extension. Seeing Koke give that kiss to the Atlético de Madrid flag in the middle of the Bernabéu field was amazing. Seeing Gabi lift that Cup was a special moment.

Now that you mentioned Gabi, this summer there were rumors that Gabi could be the next coach of Elche.

There was a change of coach after the departure of Sebastián (Becacecce) a ‘mini-casting’ of several coaches was carried out to join the entity. The club’s first choice was always Eder, but when we opened ourselves to a signing, be it a coach or a player. You have to try to have as many options as possible, it’s a good thing Eder came who doesn’t give everything he gives, and hopefully there are more things.

You are the youngest sports director in First and Second How do you handle that detail?

At work, there is responsibility, knowing where we are and what we represent. We are fortunate to have Christian Bragarnik and Pedro Schinocca as general directors who are very involved in everything on a day-to-day basis. We have created a great work team and this allows us to do things better. The more people we are and the more people we can make decisions with, the better we can fix it. On the work level, it’s true that it’s a bit difficult during the day, but I’m happy. I know it’s a pretty big responsibility for me, and I’m happy to do it.