The coach of C.D. Leganés, Paco López, appeared this Saturday at the press conference prior to the match that the pepinero team will play on Monday (9:30 PM) against R.C. Deportivo at the Ontime Butarque Stadium, corresponding to the second round of LALIGA HYPERMOTION.
The coach assessed the team's current situation ahead of Monday's match as follows:
Injuries: "We are still in the same situation, Pulido and Figueredo. Seba had improved a lot, but in his last field training session, he felt a slight discomfort in another area. Nothing concerning, but it has delayed him a few days. We hope that next week he will improve and be available."
Deportivo: "They have many strengths. They have shown that they are a team with a clear identity, many options with the ball, and players with great skill and a lot of talent from midfield forward. They are expected to be one of the favorites, and it is a good test for us to measure ourselves against such a rival."
Pitch: "Tomorrow we will train at the stadium and see how it has evolved. We hope it is better, as that enhances the spectacle. But regardless of its condition, it is no excuse for not doing a good job and being a competitive team."
Franquesa: "He is training normally. We are taking steps with him, and it is just a matter of understanding when his moment is. He is ready; this is a long journey, and he has been many months without playing, so we have to take it step by step. He is fully prepared to help us."
What is missing to win: "We have done the hard part, which is getting ahead, and we would always sign up for that. These are two different scenarios, but regardless of focusing on that, it is about continuing to look at ourselves, what we do well, and what we still need to improve. In Huesca, the goal came from poor defensive shifting, and the other day from a lapse in a set piece."
Changes: "Criticism is always normal, but it always has the same explanation. We are the ones who see the players day in and day out and observe the moments in matches. Of course, we can make mistakes. It has happened to me many times and will continue to happen; if we always got it right, we would be incredible. After the matches, you would always change things."
Andrés Campos: "There are other teammates who are playing. We are twenty-four players, and there will always be someone who does not play. The important thing is the team, that everyone helps and contributes and is ready when their time comes. This is about Club Deportivo Leganés, defending it. The player signs up to train, and if they get to play, they have to give their best."
Approach: "It is difficult to predict. We always have a game plan, and we analyze the opponent. In Huesca, we lacked a bit more personality with the ball; against Cádiz, we were better. The idea is always the same, to be a balanced team. We know we are facing a rival that likes to dominate, and we will see how it goes. The important thing is that the team is ready and will try to do a better job than Dépor and surpass them."
Juan Cruz: "I am repetitive, but as of today, he is still a Leganés player. He has been training completely normally for several weeks, and I cannot think of anything else, even though there are still hours left in the transfer market. We will decide after the last training session. It is not only the physical aspect that matters but also the mental one. We evaluate that in any player. If he is in full condition, he will be ready to play."
Transfer Market: "The normal thing is that if there are no departures, there will be no more arrivals, but there are still hours left, and anything can happen. We are very happy with the squad we have, and we are fully committed to it because they show their commitment and involvement in their work every day."
Demands: "All teams have urgency. Our message from day one has been about daily work and improvement. That is our focus, and nothing will divert us from it. It is the smartest way to approach this, which is very long. We will always relate more to the work than to the final result, and that is the consequence that will ultimately lead us to the goal. We are fully convinced of who we are and that this team will continue to grow and improve."
Reinforcements: "It is not about asking. Fortunately, we have daily communication with the sports management, and practically everything is agreed upon. I have not asked for anything because I do not need to."