Real Oviedo Head Coach Álvaro Cervera today appeared in the Press Room at the Carlos Tartiere ahead of this Wednesday's fixture against Atlético de Madrid.

 

As is the norm in the build-up to matches, the coach began by analysing the state of his squad going into the encounter. "There are some players with injuries who will definitely not be able to play, such as Javi Mier, Miguelón and Borja Sánchez, but there are also other players who will be in the squad, even if they won't be used unless it is essential. We have had 20 available today and that's something to be happy about. I'm not going to rush things unless it's strictly necessary."

 

With respect to the encounter with the side led by Diego Simeone, the Gaffer believes that "it's going to be exciting and nice, we have felt what it has stirred up. It's a first-division team, but we will do the same as when we play against other teams. Atleti have ways of doing different things, but I am more worried about the Andorra match. We will see the options that we are given during the match, but it will depend on who scores the first goal. If we score first then we will make it hard for them and compete, but they have match winners."

 

Asked about the team that Atlético will put out at the Carlos Tartiere, Cervera reasoned that "I'm sure that it will be a similar eleven to the one they use against FC Barcelona at the weekend. They play at home on Sunday and we play in Andorra on Saturday, but normally in the cup a lot of players play who don't usually feature in LaLiga. The cup is the cup and I can't betray myself as a coach, be it against Granada or against Atlético. While I have the possibility to make changes and heal the squad, I will do so."

 

Finally, regarding the atmosphere that he is expecting at the Carlos Tartiere, Álvaro Cervera highlighted that "I'm not sure how much of a pull Atlético will have, but we didn't play well in the derby and it was the fans that won it for us. I hope this will be similar."