Real Oviedo Head Coach Cuco Ziganda appeared in the Press Room at El Requexón this morning, ahead of the weekend's clash with Sporting de Gijón.

With preparations well underway for the derby, the Gaffer declared that his team is continuing "with the week's plan. We are trying to maintain the good things while working on improvements." However, the Coach admitted that the week leading up to the derby "changes the atmosphere and the way you live it in the city. It's a special conditioning factor, everybody reminds you what this match means."

Asked about his team's finishing, Ziganda commented that "we've been well-equipped, organised, and worked hard in this second half of the season, but we've had problems in attacking areas of the game. We are the ones who have got ourselves into this situation. We have chances every match and we have to get through it by focusing on the things that we are good at."

Regarding the team's attacking work, the Coach admitted that "we are always working on it, every single week. It's a question of confidence and form. If you analyse passages of play from Mallorca, Alcorcón and the other day, it's also a question of your luck changing. With the wind in your favour everything goes your way, but right now we are finding it hard to get that finishing touch to make matches go our way."

Returning to the topic of the derby, and discussing possible changes in personnel for the match at El Molinón, the Coach said that "we are focusing on putting out a solid team." Asked which centre back pairing he will select against Sporting, Ziganda highlighted that "I have confidence in all of the centre backs. There's no single reason why one plays or another. We are confident they will do well defensively."

Talking about specific factors which play a part in matches such as the one on Saturday, the Coach explained that "it's different to Athletic (Bilbao) v Real (Sociedad). I see it differently. It's a real derby. Everybody reminds you of that and tells you that you have to win. You live it in the city and feel a sense of belonging. We represent the city and Oviedismo, and our fans ask us to represent it in the best way possible. The emotional aspect is more important than form, and league positions play less of a role. We need to approach the match in the right way and do things well. Everything becomes more even in a derby. We have to believe in our strengths, stick together, and go for the win."

Finally, regarding the next opponent and what he is expecting from Saturday's match in Gijón, the Coach commented that "it will be even. They have been better in the second half of the season and are confident. They've got better and are still improving. Every match is unique. This match is crucial because of the league standings and because it's a derby. It's about putting in a great performance, being professional, and bringingthe points back to Oviedo. It will help the confidence we have in the things we are doing."