The captain of Real Oviedo, Dani Calvo, appeared before the media to assess the first weeks of preseason and in the week when the team will face Deportivo de La Coruña at the Carlos Tartiere.
The blue center-back highlighted the intensity with which the work has been carried out since day one. "It has been a very intense preseason. The coach has instilled that energy and intensity in us every day. The playing model is fitting very well, and we are very eager to play on Saturday in front of our fans to show the work we are doing," he stated.
Calvo also emphasized the value of the combination of experience and youth that the squad presents this season. "Combining experience with youth is very positive. A generational shift is taking place with people who come in with a lot of hunger and a strong desire to make Real Oviedo even greater," he affirmed.
Regarding the summer preparation, the captain explained that the coaching staff is betting on a methodology where physical and tactical work go hand in hand. "In many preseasons, only the physical aspect is prioritized, but the coach has tried to combine physical work with tactical work. He has a very defined playing model and tries to make us internalize it from day one," he highlighted.
Finally, when asked about Santi Cazorla's retirement, the captain said, "It's sad because we know what Santi means to football and to Oviedo. When it was made public, I found out and it saddened me. Then you think about it in perspective, and I feel very fortunate to have shared three years of my career with him, and I think we are not fully aware of what it has meant to have him and the masterclasses he has given in training and playing. He has been transformative for the club, beyond the sporting aspect, just his image has improved the club in many departments like marketing, commercial, or communication, and it is very difficult to have a player like that. I wish him the greatest success in the future; it would be a luxury to have him here. We can only wish him and his family the best."