Real Oviedo Head Coach Cuco Ziganda this morning appeared before the media as he analysed the state of his team ahead of the trip to Anduva. The only injury absentee will be Javi Mier, who "is making progress", while the rest of the team is fit for the match.
The Gaffer has moved on from the victory last time out now and is focused on the Mirandés encounter. He analysed that in the last match "we didn't allow Amorebieta to play direct football. We had to make them uncomfortable and stick together from second balls, and we were able to do so."
Asked about set pieces and the team's strength from dead balls in recent matches, Ziganda said that "last year we were a powerful team in that area. We have good set-piece takers and it all depends on players really, more than the coaches. The foot they are taken with, the belief the players go into them with...we are doing well in that area now and we know that a lot of matches are decided on that type of passage of play, given the even nature in this division. We hope to keep working in the same way and that it will continue to bear fruit."
With respect to the opponents coming up before the Winter Break, the Coach did not want to look beyond Anduva, saying that "we know where we were a few weeks ago. People were discussing other things and looking downwards. Now we've put together four points and moved closer to the playoffs, and nobody remembers how things were before. I believe that we have to focus solely on Mirandés. We have been solid away from home, and we have to focus on putting in a serious performance with tempo and solidity. That will let us get the best out of many players out on the pitch and is all we have to focus on. After that we will look at the cup and everything else. We do create monthly plans in terms of physical condition and workloads, but the main objective is the next match, this Friday, and getting the win."
Discussing possible changes to the starting eleven and asked about the number of goals conceded, with Real Oviedo having conceded the third least goals in the division, Ziganda believes that "being a team like we are, if we want to have high targets then we have to be compact and solid. We deserve credit for doing so with a lot of attacking players on the pitch."
Regarding the opponent, CD Mirandés, the Coach highlighted that "they sign very well. They have a very good eye for a player. They look for young players with potential, who are happy and dynamic. It's a team with a lot of goals in it, both because of the style of play and because they free up players from excess pressure. This type of player is good for their club, because they get the quality out of them. In addition, Anduva is a tight ground with the fans in close. There is a good atmosphere, with a lot of crosses and action in the box. We have to be very alert to handle their attacking play."
