Real Oviedo Head Coach, Juan Antonio Anquela, appeared in the Press Room at El Requexón, following the last training session on Asturian soil.
The Coach began by evaluating the team’s work this week, assuring that, “I have no complaints. We have worked well. Now we just have to take it onto the pitch. We have another chance on Sunday. It’s easy to talk, but we have to show up on the pitch, try hard, and look for some luck.”
Real Oviedo set off for Tarragona tomorrow, to prepare for Sunday’s match against Nàstic (16:00). Asked about the team’s away performances, Anquela believes that, “we have to be sure about what we are going to do, and that we will only achieve it through work. We have to all work together so that we are difficult team to beat. We have to be aware of the situation that we find ourselves in.” Furthermore, regarding the next opponent, Nàstic, he highlighted that, “winning away from home is not easy, and even less so in Valladolid, but that’s what they did in some style. They are a good team. They are powerful up front, create goals, and are going through a good spell. It is an even league, and we have to know how to compete in such a difficult league.”
With respect to the importance of clean sheets in order to be one step closer to victory, the Coach said that, “we have a problem we must solve. We must be solid and compete every game. The aim is clear; to concede as few goals as possible. These things happen in patches. We were solid in preseason but now they’re scoring against us. We’re doing well going forward.”
Asked about the system he will use in Tarragona and whether he will repeat the formation used last weekend at the Carlos Tartiere, Anquela pointed out that, “the other day we played in two different ways, and we will play as we see fit during matches. Formations aren’t made good or bad by planning, but by players. We are going through an important period, and I have no doubt that the team will turn up. We need to look at how to improve, but we have solutions. Formations don’t win matches, players do. The best formation is the one that we all agree on and where we know what we have to do. We are on the right path.”
Talking about Diegui’s call-up to the Icelandic national team, and whether it disrupted the team’s plans for the Nàstic match, the Coach admitted that, “he’s an important man for us. He’s had bad luck with injuries. We are proud that he’s away with his national team. It’s obvious that it affects us, but we can’t deny anyone something so nice. It’s something for the team to be proud of.”
Finally, when asked about Forlín’s contribution to the team and his fine performance at centre back last weekend, Anquela highlighted that, “Juan must give us what we expect of him. He’s a very experienced footballer who has played at big clubs. We want him to show his quality and help us as I think he can. He was an important player for us on Sunday,” he concluded.
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