The coach of C.D. Leganés, Paco López, appeared this Friday at the press conference prior to the match that the pepinero team will play on Sunday (9:00 PM) against Granada C.F. at the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes, corresponding to the fifth round of LALIGA HYPERMOTION.
The coach assessed the current situation ahead of the match as follows:
Absences: "Pulido, Figueredo, and Óscar Plano. We also have several players with a lot of doubts. With so much parity and information, we will try not to give too many clues to the opponent. Tomorrow, after the last training session, we will decide, although there will be some doubts until the end."
Granada: "It will be difficult. Their matches, except for the one against Málaga, have been conditioned because they were left with ten men. In Málaga, they went 2-0 up and finished very well. They will be at the top; they have a squad perhaps with less renown than in other years, but they have a mix of young players and experienced ones. They will play with the support of their fans, and it will be another challenge for us."
Naim: "He has earned it himself. In preseason, he started very well, and we try to be honest with the players, although fairness is difficult, especially in a group where everyone works hard. Deciding is not easy, but the intention is to help at every moment, whether starting, coming off the bench, or training. The important thing is the team. But performance in matches also counts, and we are happy with everyone."
What is missing to win: "Talking about something specific is difficult. Each match has been different. In León, we lacked efficiency in the final third because it is difficult to create more chances to win. We had twelve shots and five on target, compared to eight and one from the opponent. Against Deportivo, we lacked the ability to close the game and that factor that also plays a role. I am left with the feeling that, except for the first match, we have been superior to our opponents for many minutes, although it has not translated into victories, which is what we all want."
Franquesa: "He is a player who has been evolving after the injury. We had to be patient and ensure he felt good. We will see what happens this week."
Recognizable team: "We are creating a lot with the ball. The data must be contextualized, but we are among the two or three teams that create the most chances. We have improved compared to the first match; we have gone from less to more. Without the ball, we have had better and worse phases. Against Dépor, in the minutes before the 2-1, we could have been much better structured. We have things to improve, and we analyze them every week. The team's feelings are good, but we need to win. To do so, we must do things well and put all our energy into improving."
Feelings: "We are convinced that the team will bring a lot of joy. We are showing that we are competitive; the group is united and ambitious. It is not about being positive for the sake of it but because we have reasons to think we will improve. This is a long journey, and we must focus on the day-to-day."
Figueredo: "When there are muscle injuries, it is very difficult to predict recovery times. He has had some ups and downs in his recovery, and we will see when we can have him, but he is already working on the field."
Objectives: "Normally, teams that are relegated from the First Division have a clear objective, but we are clear that ours is to work with maximum enthusiasm to do everything possible. From my experience in the category, predicting something and aiming for an objective in late May or June is not very useful. I try to be much more stable and think about what we can influence, which is the day-to-day. If you want to reach the top of the mountain and only look at the summit, you might slip on a step. That is why the energy and effort must be focused on the day-to-day, on building a team with a winning mentality."
Demand: "We believe in the squad we have put together and in the team that is being built. As I get to know the squad, I see that they are very committed players, generous in their effort, and involved. This is one of the fundamental pillars beyond the technical-tactical aspect. We are very happy with the squad we have, and we are fully committed to them. We believe 100% in these players."
Juan Cruz: "He is doing well. He comes with the burden of not having played in preseason, and we have to be careful. He is an important player, and we have to give him minutes, although he may not yet be at 100%. We all feel the urgency for immediate results, but we have to give minutes to players who will be important."
Return to Granada: "A special feeling. I feel loved and respected; we achieved a very beautiful promotion. Once there, the only thing we want is to win the match and bring back the three points."