Francisco has been clear and concise in the previous match of Round of 32 of the Copa del Rey what are you going to face tomorrow Thursday (20 hours) al Elche CF with the Almeria, at Mediterranean Games stadium. “I say what I feel. We have already started to prepare for the league game against Espanyol. The Cup is a beautiful competition, which we like and we will draw a team to try to pass against a good rival, who is the leader of the Second Division and it will be a good touchstone for the meeting on Monday“.
The franjiverde coach has indicated that after the return from vacation they are having “a few complicated weeks” due to the numerous positives from Covid that have been in the squad. “It is true that We have recovered many players (Lucas Boyé, Benedetto, Iván Marcone and Raúl Guti), but they have only been training for a day and need a little adaptation. After the return from vacation we have had problems with the virus and our intention is that all the players arrive as well prepared as possible for Monday’s game. We are considering the Cup match to try that nothing happens to us, that there are no injuries and so that we can get a good reflection for Espanyol“, has commented.
When you have been reminded that Espanyol, the next rival in the League, played yesterday their tie against Ponferradina with the majority of starting players (step on penalties), although he has the advantage of having two days plus rest, the Almeria coach has indicated that “There is a difference in days, but we also have the handicap that we play on Sunday, that some players have not competed, practically, since before the holidays. ” Despite this, Francisco has assured that tomorrow in Almería “We will get a competitive eleven and it will help us so that the players who have not played can take shape“.
The Elche coach, despite all this situation, has warned that “We are not going to shoot the Cup”, although he has insisted that “what matters most to us is the League. Surely anyone who asks us if we prefer to beat Almería or Espanyol we would say that the Liga de Liga match “.”We are going to demand the most of the players who leave tomorrow as in every training session and as we do every day and The eleven that comes out we want him to do it at full capacity, but it will be a game for people who need minutes, “he commented.
Two of the footballers who have a chance to be in the starting eleven against Almería are Fidel and Diego González, who will not be able to play against Espanyol due to suspension. “They are going to play, but there are also other players like Gonzalo Verdú, Piatti or Josan, who need minutes and we need to see them. We have some doubts that we will dispel tomorrow, but we will bring out a competitive team, because all the players in the squad have the level to do it. ”
About his back to his native Almería has indicated that “it is always nice to come back. It is true that I have been working abroad for many years, but It is the club where I was formed, where I played, where I started training and there I have my house, my people and my family. In another situation it would be a prettier and more special match, but we are going with the intention of passing the tie. ”
Francisco has highlighted the potential of the Almeria painting. “For me, It is the best team in the Second Division, by planning, coach, this season it is a more balanced team in all phases of the game, as it is showing. It is closer to a set of First and we will have to compete to the maximum if we want to win, and “.
Francisco has ruled out goalkeeper Kiko Casilla for tomorrow’s clash. “He is already training well, but he is not 100% recovered”, and about rumors of the possible departure of Benedetto to Boca Juniors has commented that “I have no idea that I have offers from Argentina and nobody from the club has told me anything. On Tuesday he began to train normally, after not doing it for a long time due to the injury and I see him well and excited again “.
Finally, the Elche coach has also referred to the possible signings in the winter market and the possible incorporation of the young Serbian Knezevic: “Since I came, both the property, the sports commission and the coaching staff have talked about what we may need to improve the team. But I am very proud of the footballers that I have. If something comes, it will be to improve. I don’t want card changes. Whoever comes must know where they are coming and what they are coming from. For now, we have to wait. As for Knezevic, at the moment, he can’t play a bureaucratic problem anymore, which I don’t know much about “,
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Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.