Igor Oca: "We have the conviction to go play well and win"

C.D. Leganés head coach Igor Oca spoke this Friday in the press conference prior to the match that the pepinero team will play on Saturday (18:30) against Real Racing Club in Santander, corresponding to Matchday 18 of LALIGA HYPERMOTION.
The coach assessed the team’s situation before the match as follows:

Absences: "The other day there were ten, and from those we recover Diawara and Duk after serving their suspensions. As for the injured players, we’re very tight on timings and we have one doubt that we’ll see whether he can be available or not. They are injuries of different types, their willingness is total, they are very close and eager to return, but the medical department is cautious. We have to look after the players’ health, and in some cases common sense has to be used."
Mood: "Better with each passing day. We have that energy and the team responds to every stimulus. We are completely ready. We have to go there to win—we are Leganés and we aim to win at any ground. Each day that attitude improves and I’m very happy about that."
Academy players: "They have been important from day one. The number of appearances in friendlies was high, then in the Copa, and the other day it was a clear example. Depending on the team’s needs, the differences disappear. Whoever is in the best condition will start, regardless of where they began the year."
Visit to the league leaders: "We have only one option, which is to go out in line with how we are training and with that conviction of playing well and winning. We are extremely happy with how the fans behaved against Córdoba—the point was partly thanks to their attitude, and we know that the two hundred who are travelling will support us to the maximum. We will feel that for sure tomorrow."
Day‑to‑day management: "It’s an obligation for every coach. There are many different types of experiences, but none of them keep us up at night. We know which club we belong to and that the objective is to win the next match. We don’t look beyond that, we feel complete confidence from the institution, and we want that to continue until the end of tomorrow’s match. The only objective is to get the match over the line and take the three points."
More preparation days: "We don’t control the scheduling. We try to prepare things in the best way possible. We’ve had more time and we’ve worked on content to adapt to our strengths and to what we’ll face in the opponent. We know we’re playing against the best home team, but we have our strengths and we have to show them. The players must feel the calmness of knowing that what we ask of them is what they can give."
Need to breathe easy: "Focus on the next match. We have the energy to focus on the leaders, on their ground, to beat them. We have the conditions for it, and we’ve trained knowing that this possibility can go in our favor. That is the most important thing."
Urgency: "I understand it perfectly. I feel that I have everything I need as a coach, and the competition gives us the necessary time to prepare matches as best as possible. The club aims high, and beyond the support we feel from the club, we all feel that we need to win. That’s how we approached the last match and that’s how we approach this one, with full willingness and conviction to win."