Real Oviedo Head Coach Cuco Ziganda appeared in the Press Room at El Requexón today.
The Coach appeared before the Press ahead of the Leganés fixture, highlighting the work done by his players in recent weeks. He said, "you can see the team is solid, compact, tough, and knows what it is doing out on the pitch. We know how to come through hard moments and change the momentum within a match, in order to turn it in our favour. You can see we are powerful and organised and have stability. The points reflect our attitude and willingness out on the pitch."
This Sunday will see Los Azules face a team up at the top of the table once more, as the Asturians look to gain three points and continue the recent good run of results. Ahead of the fixture against Leganés, Ziganda believes that "it's time to win the next match and then we will see where we are. We feel that we can win any football match. We know the opponent we are up against and the squad they have, but we mustn't use that as an excuse to not win on Sunday. Winning would be very good for us and it would move us closer to the 50-point target. It would be a shot of confidence and positivity going into the remainder of the season."
Regarding the next opponent, Leganés, the Gaffer highlighted that "they know us well and I know how they go into matches. We have a good relationship with Garitano and we know each other. I don't expect changes. He will look for the small details in the match. I expect a hard, competitive match." In addition, regarding Garitano's work in charge of the Madrid-based side, Ziganda commented that "I have the feeling that he isn't starting from zero. He's back 'home' and knows the players. He knows their strengths and starts with an advantage. He's a coach who gets performances from his players."
Discussing a change in formation and personnel for Sunday's match, as happened in the reverse fixture at Butarque, the Coach stated that "I'm not considering anything like that. If there are changes then they will be minimal. The team is performing and is playing at an acceptable level. You always have doubts, because there are people pushing and training well, but they are positive doubts. It's good to have the whole squad there to increase competition for places. We have to make the most of each one in order the get the best performances out of every player."
Asked about a possible start for Brazao, Ziganda highlighted that "Gabri knows it. He's playing at a good level; he's improved. He didn't have the best morale after Christmas. He's young and he isn't achieving the objective he came here for. He's turning it around, with a lot of effort, and it has to serve him well for the future. We see him training very well and focusing on the daily work. I think he's made a good decision. He has a chance of playing."
With respect to a possible renewal of his contract as the Head Coach of the team from the capital of Asturias, Ziganda commented that "I'm happy at Real Oviedo. I'm enjoying football, my passion, and that makes me come in with tremendous excitement. I wouldn't like people to think it depends on Ziganda. It's up to the club. The club has the key to it and the power to decide. It's good to focus on the day-to-day work and on the team. That's the important thing. If the club had a need and a hurry to know about my willingness, I'd be open to it, but the main thing is to take it one week at a time."
Finally, asked about the differences between football pre- and post-pandemic, given that it's now been over a year since Oviedistas last saw their team play a football match in person, Ziganda believes that "it's changed a lot, and very few of the changes have been good things. It's true that it is closer with direct contact to matches, but football has changed... the atmosphere and passion is missing and it's changed. It's a different football. We have to play it and feel grateful for the fortune we have, because other areas of society are having a very bad time. The sooner we have fans back and can get back to having the feelings we did before the pandemic, the better for everyone."
