Real Oviedo Head Coach Cuco Ziganda today appeared in the Press Room at El Requexón.
The week's training is well underway and will conclude with this Saturday's fixture against Tenerife. The Coach declared that "the team has worked well. We are building up sessions and steps. The most recent signings are at different points in their preseasons. Those players who have been playing are doing well. We all know what happens with people who come in late: they have to build up steps little by little. Simone (Grippo) is still out, but the rest will be available."
With respect to the way of working and whether he is planning many changes for the Tenerife match, the Gaffer reasoned that "we have to adapt to what happens each day. Carlos (Isaac) arrived yesterday. He's in perfect condition but he has to adapt to the team and the way of playing. The rest of the signings are at different stages. We will try to get them up to their peak levels, get them in form, and help them adapt. Those players who had the best preseasons are the ones who are playing; that's what they've shown us. They are in form and I don't think we will make many changes. I'm not thinking about changing the keeper, although every spot is up for grabs. We are going to look for continuity. I'm not the type to make drastic changes."
Asked about Borja Bastón and Luismi, and regarding their chances of featuring at the Carlos Tartiere on Saturday, Ziganda highlighted that "Borja isn't ready for ninety minutes, but he could start. We will see, because we have to make the most of the form Samuel (Obeng) is in. Luismi meanwhile has just got over Covid and that illness leaves some physical consequences that you have to be careful with. We have to respect the timeframes. We want to have Luismi available, but we aren't going to take risks. He won't feature until he has recovered fully."
Regarding what he expects from the team when all of the players are at their best, the Coach commented that "when you bring players in it's so that they can give you something extra. I hope to see a more complete team, with nerve, energy and spirit. Everyone who comes in has to get to their best and adapt quickly." In addition, asked how the team needs to improve at home in order to push up the table, Ziganda believes that "if we want to finish towards the top of the table we have to improve our performances. We think that we can improve at home. I think that the fans give us something. You could see that in the first home game. We all want to see a team that has nerve and that wins. The fans give us wings and we need them."
Finally, discussing possible signings before the transfer window closes, the Head Coach argued that "any opportunity to complete the squad with good players is interesting. As it stands, we are short of numbers in the midfield. Starting players have left this year, but others are going to come in in their place. Time will tell whether we have adapted well."
