Real Oviedo Head Coach, Juan Antonio Anquela, appeared in the Press Room this morning to evaluate the state of his team before the Copa del Rey match. The Oviedo coach made his intentions clear; stating that, “I want to get through in the cup. I am tremendously excited about this competition, but there are things getting in the way of this excitement. Of course, I am worried about the injuries. Hidi had become an important player for us, he did what we asked of him, but now he’s out. But it doesn’t matter. We will make ourselves stronger. When faced by problems we must grow, and I think that this team is ready to do so.”
When asked for specific examples, the Real Oviedo coach insisted on calmness, saying that “we must keep moving calmly and we will look for solutions. We will definitely find them.”
Regarding tomorrow’s opponent, CD Numancia, Juan Antonio Anquela recognised that “they are an example of how to do things well. They have begun the competition well and always have a good team. They have always been a difficult team to face, they always form a good squad, and they are always a worrying opponent in any match, but particularly for this one.”
Away from on-field matters, Anquela welcomed the good news given by Arturo Elías yesterday and declared that “we must applaud the people who achieve these things and do things smartly. Real Oviedo do this because any house must be built on solid foundations. This way, nobody can say the things to us that can be accused of other clubs; that they are where they are because they’ve been given the chance, not because they deserve to be in this league. Very often teams who don’t do things well are rewarded, while those who do things well don’t receive any reward.”
With respect to possible changes for the Copa del Rey, Anquela said that “the new players might play, but we must be careful with Juan Forlín because we don’t have many options in midfield. He can play there, as well as at centre back. He must become an important player for us, and I think he will be.
Finally, regarding Arturo Elías’ words yesterday about his role as Head Coach and asked about the conversations he has held with the highest representative for Grupo Carso, Anquela was very direct. “I have spoken with Mr Arturo Elías twice. I don’t have to say any more. As my footballers say, I have spoken to ‘God’, and I got a little bit nervous! The person I need to speak to is here, and he does his job very well. If I wanted or needed anything, I would tell him, but my mission is to work. And to communicate with the people who are here, who do things very well,” he concluded.
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