The Press Room at El Requexón was the setting as Juan Forlín was presented with the award for the ‘Jugador Cinco Estrellas’ Player of the Month for December. Forlín is one of the pillars in the Real Oviedo defence, bringing balance to the team, as well as defensive solidity and his knowhow on the pitch. Juan Forlín was chosen as the winner by the fans, who had to select between the five players proposed by the beer company on their Twitter profile @futbolmahou.
Having been presented with the award, the Argentinian declared himself “happy”, but argued that, “this award is for the whole group. It’s great for me if I’m honest, but the whole team deserved it, and it’s just as much theirs.”
Real Oviedo travel to Madrid this weekend to face Rayo Vallecano. Talking about the match in Vallecas, the centre back predicted that, “it will be a very hard match. I know about Rayo. I have a friend there, and I know that we have to be ready for a battle.” In addition, speaking ahead of the second consecutive away match, the defender said that, “we have to compete no matter what. At home we have our fans behind us, and away from home we have to push to achieve the win. We are making ourselves strong and each player’s competition makes the group better.”
With respect to how he has felt personally during his first half season at Real Oviedo, Juan Forlín highlighted that, “I feel comfortable, and I am trying to add to the group. I’m here to contribute and show the Coach that I can play wherever he wants me. I’m still as excited as when I first arrived. Everything around Real Oviedo is amazing. What I see excites me and I just need to keep working.”
Asked about the group’s work and the importance of conceding few goals, the defender pointed out that, “we are a team and we all give everything on the pitch. The team gives absolutely everything on the pitch and we do our job. Clean sheets come from the whole team contributing. It begins with the attackers and ends with us at the back. We have to give everything and work hard so that the Coach sees that the team has given their all.”
Regarding his assessment of the first half of the season and the shape in which the team goes into the return fixtures, the Argentinian stated that, “there’s a whole half of the season to go. The tough part is coming. We need to work and prepare ourselves for tough times, as they will surely come. We must take it one game at a time.”
Finally, asked about the scheduling of the derby and what he expects from that match, the centre back was firm, declaring that, “we are only thinking about Vallecas. I didn’t even know when the derby was. Friday’s match will be difficult, and we are only thinking about that.”
If you wish to take part in the vote for the Jugador Cinco Estrellas Player of the Month for January, keep following the Twitter accounts @futbolmahou and @realoviedo, which is where the voting period and next winner of the Jugador Cinco Estrellas award will be announced.
