Real Oviedo Head Coach Cuco Ziganda appeared in the Press Room at El Requexón today, ahead of another league fixture.
Talking ahead of the weekend's match at Santo Domingo, Ziganda analysed the state of his squad. "Jirka is suffering from the flu and has a fever. Aside from that setback, everyone else is in perfect condition." Asked about a possible state of euphoria within the team following the victory in Gijón, the Gaffer reasoned that "after winning the derby we realise what we live that week, and the tension and intensity with which we live that match. You are aware that it is not just another match, there are nerves going into it. Once the match is over it seems like the team that won has now achieved its most important objective. You start hearing nice things, and without wanting to you can let your guard drop. We are aware that we have to focus on the league and on the points. The points are worth just as much this weekend in Alcorcón as at El Molinón. We have to continue with the same mentality."
Going into the end of the league season and discussing how his team is approaching it, the Coach highlighted that "there are still six matches to go. We have to play them and approach them in the best way possible. You pick up on the atmosphere and believe in what we are doing. We have to keep working in the same way, on this same path, but knowing that we haven't done anything yet. This can all change from one week to the next, and one spark can change everything. We have to keep going just as strongly, going into matches as we have up until now. It's not helpful to start hearing nice things when the season isn't over. We have to bring consistency and finish in the best way possible."
Regarding the next opponent, Alcorcón, whose relegation has now been confirmed, Ziganda believes that "they are paying the price for their results in the first half of the season. They were aware that they had little chance come the January transfer window, but they are behaving with dignity and professionally. Their matches are competitive and even and they cause problems for other teams. I'm not expecting an easy match. They are playing matches very calmly and fighting for wins. They're a tough opponent during the second half of the season."
Asked what he believes the key to maintaining recent good form until the end of the season is, Ziganda reasoned that "we mustn't think too much. We have to focus on the next match and on what we do well. We have to focus on our daily work and on improving. We have to be united and strong. The table will put us where we deserve to be. We mustn't start looking at the long term. We have to continue with this strength that we are creating."
Finally, with respect to the atmosphere experienced upon arriving back from Gijón at the Carlos Tartiere, Ziganda highlighted that "I was surprised by the welcome, but at the same time the feeling and emotions are huge. What happened there after the game was a shame and took something away from it. Not many of our fans could go, but the ones that did were fine, just like in the match here. We have to normalise all of this as much as possible, even if it is a derby with a lot at stake. It's not just any derby and I'm proud to be able to live it and feel it. The fans were waiting for us and it makes us feel proud. I like to stop and not get distracted, but the players wanted to celebrate it. They want to be players on the pitch and fans in the party. We are lucky to be able to live it, but we have to move on from the derby and focus on the league and on Alcorcón.
