Real Oviedo captain, Miguel Linares, appeared in the Press Room at El Requexón following the latest training session for Juan Antonio Anquela’s men. The forward analysed the season so far following the latest match, declaring that, “everything is different when you go to work after a defeat, but now we are excited to return home and pick up the three points.”
Asked about the current state of the team and the importance of winning against CD Lugo on Sunday, the striker said that, “there are 30 games left. It’s a huge amount of time, but it’s true that we must get away from the danger zone. We have to try to make the Tartiere a fortress and get the three points, as we need them. It’s a difficult match but we hope to get the good atmosphere back and secure the win. We feel stronger at home with our fans pushing us on.”
With respect to what it means to return to the Carlos Tartiere to face the league leaders, CD Lugo, the forward reassured that, “all of us have played in important matches. Playing at home is important for us, and we are confident that we can get the three points on Sunday. We need them, and we are going to fight more than our opponent so that the three points stay at the Tartiere. We know that if we win on Sunday we will go into the next game better off. We can only think about Lugo now, and afterwards we will think about what’s coming up.”
Asked about Toché’s absence and whether it had greatly disrupted the team’s game plans, Miguel Linares believes that, “Toché is crucial for us. These things happen in football though, and we have to minimise the significance of his absence. We have a balanced squad. We will try to cover the injuries, so that for the remainder of the season the team is balanced, no matter who is playing.” In addition, talking about his chances of coming into the attack, Linares said that, “I have played as a striker. It’s about getting into the box, fighting, and looking for chances. If the Coach asks me to play that role, I will do it. As long as I’m on the pitch, I would do what the Coach asked of me, even if it meant playing at full back.”
The forward also assessed Anquela’s comments about him, with the Coach always saying that Linares’ effort is never in question, and that it is one of his greatest virtues. The striker responded by saying that, “it’s all I can do; work hard and give everything on the pitch. It’s a philosophy that I have; you must run, fight and give everything. The Coach knows that whether he picks me or not, I am going to give everything.”
Regarding the team’s situation and the problems Anquela highlighted after the defeat in Alcorcón, Linares agreed that, “it’s a difficult division. We all know our problem. If you compete less than your opponent, then you don’t get anywhere. We must match their concentration and competitiveness. If we do this on Sunday, then based on our ability and play we can get the win. We are in a bad place, but it’s not desperate. If we win one game, we are back in it. If we go toe-to-toe with any opponent then we can get the victory,” he concluded.
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