Real Oviedo midfielder Borja Sánchez appeared in the Press Room at El Requexón today.
How is the squad after yesterday's match? Despite the final result, do you think that the team comes out of it stronger due to the improved performance?
- I think that we came out of it stronger in several areas. We put in a more complete performance than against Ponferradina. It's true that we were missing things still, but we were comfortable. We have a bittersweet taste in our mouths. We feel we deserved more.
Did the Deportivo goal which made the score 2-1 in the final minute of the first half affect you a lot?*
- We deserved to go in at halftime calmly, with a good scoreline. They scored that goal and made us go back out there with less confidence. We were worthy of taking three points from the match in general. You were taken off against Dépor just as you were standing out as the best player on the pitch. Was it for a physical reason, or were you capable of staying on longer?*
- I went in to the game with a knock. It was the Coach's decision (to take me off). We are seeing that everyone is playing, and there's no problem. I'm going all out for Monday.
After two games now, how do you feel about the 'new football'?
- It's quite strange. Being without your fans makes it strange, but it's the same for everyone and we have to adapt to it.
How does a footballer prepare to go into this heavy load of fixtures without it affecting their league standing?
- You try to look at it as little as possible. You have to know where you are and what to do to get out of trouble. Taking it game by game is very important. We have to recover and be at 100%. We have to come through this.
Do you think the team is missing the attacking contributions of injured players like Saúl (Berjón) and Juanjo (Nieto)?
- They are two important players and they are missed, but those of us who are available have to pick up the load.
What are you expecting from the derby?
- We all go into it with hunger, it's a derby. Even more than due to the fact it's against Sporting, we want to win. We need the three points, we deserve them, and we will give it everything to get them.
After playing two matches at the Tartiere, do you think that the absence of fans hurts the home team more?
- At the end of the day it doesn't matter, it is what it is. We are going there with the clear objective of winning, and we don't care if it's in front of fans or not.
Do you think the derby is coming at a good time?
- Derbies are good matches to win and turn your form around. We deserved it yesterday, and I think that Monday could be a good time to get the three points and be able to look at the table in a different way.
Given how tight the table is, do you think that the mental aspect will be just as important as the physical side?
- We have to recover physically and mentally in order to go into Monday as well as possible.