Igor Oca: “It's a great opportunity to pick up points and keep taking steps”

C.D. Leganés head coach Igor Oca appeared at a press conference on Friday ahead of the team’s match against S.D. Eibar on Sunday (6:30 p.m.) at Estadio Ontime Butarque, as part of Matchday 29 of LALIGA HYPERMOTION.

The coach assessed the team’s current situation ahead of the match as follows:

Absences: “We have a few key absences, such as Jorge. We’ll wait until the last minute for any further updates. Peña is still out, as is Pulido. I hope the rest will all be available, because we’re pushing some players to the limit.”

Marvel: “We tried until the very end to get him to Gijón, but we applied a bit of common sense. With so many matchdays left, we decided not to take any risks. His discomfort has already subsided, and he’ll be available for this matchday.”

Short on defense: "Son situaciones que se escapan y factores que influyen. Tenemos jugadores suficientes para cubrir esas posiciones y aprovechar la oportunidad. Siempre aspiramos a contar con todos, pero el hecho de dar posibilidades a jugadores con menos minutos nos está viniendo bien también".

Formation: “Playing with three inside players depends on whether we need that interior strength, like the other day with Dani and Óscar. We wanted to take a bold approach and believed we could hurt them. We defended well against them, but we lacked the offensive firepower to win the game. It was specific to that particular match.”

On Cissé’s substitution: “It was 100% a tactical decision. He’s fully aware of the situation and remains calm; we’ve tried to explain the reasons to him, and he understands our reasoning. He’s fully capable of contributing, whether he starts or comes off the bench. We’re counting on him regardless of contractual issues.”

It’s hard to win: “It’s the results of one or two games that tip the scales one way or the other. Since we officially took over, we’ve had a solid run, but we’re still dealing with the baggage from the past. We have to stay calm, knowing that we’ve taken steps forward. We’ve won ten out of twelve at home, and we have to continue being consistent at home. We haven’t won away since January 4, and we have to try to get back to winning. Our offensive play is what’s going to help us take that step forward. Hard work and confidence that it has to come.”

Covering for injuries on defense: “There are more injuries on the defensive line. We’re in daily contact with the reserve team, and four or five players from the reserves are participating in training. Djibril is in the final phase of his recovery, but we’ve been able to count on Leiva, Sergio, and Saïd. We’re counting on them. Diawara and his versatility also give us solid options there.”

Set pieces: “We're improving, and we tend to keep it simple when we have players who execute them very well. We've grown with Dani Rodríguez in that role; it's something we rely on, and we want to keep refining it. They account for 35% of our goals, and that's vital.”

Fans: "They always support us. It's essential for us. In Gijón, seeing them on the day we couldn’t play more than three minutes—almost five hundred of them—made a tremendous impression that reminds us how important they are to us. Some even slept in their cars. That makes us realize we have to give it our all to try and share the three points with them.”

Eibar as the worst away team: “Regardless of the opponent, it’s important because the dynamics change. We’re a prime example of that. Eibar is in top form after struggling quite a bit two or three months ago. They’ve been playing very well, in great shape, and it’s going to be a tough match. We have to look inward and see that our home field is helping us take small steps forward. It’s a huge opportunity to pick up more points, first by looking at the teams below us."

Solid defense: “We have to control every aspect of the game. We focus on capitalizing on the chances we create, but to achieve any goal, you have to be solid. We’ve conceded the third-fewest goals, and we need to keep building on that.”

Dani Rodríguez: “He’s performing well and helping his teammates take that next step. His experience and skill enable others who struggle a bit more in high-pressure moments to rise to the occasion. He’s making that contribution, and we’re very happy with what he’s doing, both on and off the field.”