ANDhe Elche coach, Fran Escribá, gave the press conference prior to the visit of the Elche team to Alavés (Tuesday, 7:00 p.m., Mendizorroza), a direct rival for salvation in the First Division.
Visit a direct rival
“I face the matches the same. These are three important points. It is true that with the development of the league, we may find ourselves very close to Alavés. From that point of view, any direct confrontation is always important. But we don’t speak it differently from others. We are going for victory, as always, taking advantage of all our options. “
Alaves
“It has improved. He started very badly and got a victory against the champion (Atleti). And he won away the other day (Cádiz). It will improve, because he has a staff and a coach (Javi Calleja) to do so and get out of relegation “.
How does the team arrive?
“Okay. We are used to types of games like the last one against Espanyol (2-2). Situations that we have experienced for and against. We were aware that we had it well controlled, and in two minutes it escaped us. Those two blows left us very touched for 15 minutes. When the impact was passed, we reacted well, we drew and were close to winning. You have to overcome and think positive. May this help us to be stronger and that if it happens again, to be able to turn the page sooner “.
Changes in the eleven
“It is the most complicated eleven. There is no one ruled out, but there are several players with blows. We play from Saturday to Tuesday and travel. In principle, all are available. The breadth of the workforce allows us to be able to manage efforts more and make changes where we think the team will not notice it as much. “
Goals conceded in the second half
“In fans and journalists, it is often said ‘how badly this team has entered the second half.’ Until Espanyol’s first goal, nothing had happened. It was an isolated play. We had not entered badly. And without being able to assume the 1-1, the 1-2 arrived. The game had not changed, but the result did. We have conceded goals in different time frames. I do not have the feeling that there is a certain one in which we are weak. And physically, we are perfect. “
Three forwards with two goals, and not everyone can play from the start
“I don’t think about their egos, but about the team, as always. Against Espanyol, I thought the game could come to Lucas Pérez. We needed a player who would drop down to receive between the lines, instead of Benedetto, who is more of a finisher. For other matches, I will think that another combination is better. What I do not do is think that I do not get angry at any of them. I think I have five forwards. Guido Carrillo and Pere Milla have given us a lot. I think about doing what is best for the team. Along the way, as is his obligation as a professional, some player gets upset because he doesn’t play. But they train well to be prepared. And when they go out, like ‘Pipa’ the other day, they give everything for the team. It was important to save a point“.
Situation of Marcone, to whom Benedetto dedicated his goal
“I did not find out that he dedicated it to him. I think it is phenomenal that one celebrates a goal with his friends or family. I hope he dedicates 25 goals to him. I make my decisions thinking about the team, with mistakes along the way. I will never think if This player is a friend of the other and this is going to make him feel bad. I only think that the team wins. That’s where I make my line-up and call-up choices. And the rest, to keep working to be one of those chosen. “
Very different match compared to the last one
“Yes. Alavés is a more physical team. Very powerful from set pieces. He marked Atleti like this. It has nothing to do with Espanyol’s player profile. We contemplate a more physical match. It will be important to try to defend away from our area. Being dominant and defending the set piece strong, which is not the only weapon for Alavés. They have very interesting players on the wing, who take good centers, and very dangerous forwards. It will be different from last season’s game. Alavés has changed the system several times, like us. And the situation is different. It was our worst game since I arrived. We are alerted so that if they try to do the same, we have thought about what might happen. “
Talks with Bragarnik
“Since I arrived, I have always had a very fluid relationship with him. Proof of this is that I continue this season. He had been away for two weeks. I have not had the option to speak with him, but we wrote or called. Think that we have fewer points than we deserve. Seeing that things are being done well and with what lies ahead, he has full confidence in the players and the coaching staff. “
