Real Oviedo Head Coach Cuco Ziganda appeared before the gathered media today in the Press Room at El Requexón.

As is the norm ahead of any fixture, the Gaffer began by evaluating the state of his squad going into the LaLiga SmartBank match. "We are hoping that they will all be ok. We don't think that there will be any last-minute absences. We hope to have them all available, except Lucas who is injured. Brugman has trained very well, without any pain. He is ready to play on Saturday."

Talking ahead of this Saturday's fixture against Málaga CF at La Rosaleda, Ziganda is expecting "a similar match to the one (against Sporting de Gijón) at El Molinón. They have a lot at stake and are going to push us. A new coach has gone in and he's lifted spirits. It's going to be a demanding match. We have to put in a great performance, like we have been doing away from home."

Asked to compare the differences between his team at home at the Carlos Tartiere and away, the Coach reasoned that "we've been very consistent all year at home, playing with confidence and putting in complete performances. The team has been above average. Away from home we've found it hard to create solidity, but we've competed. The team has taken a step up in the last few matches. A team's progression lies in growing and becoming more secure."

With respect to his calculations for the remainder of the regular league season, Ziganda highlighted that "we are only talking about the next match, about Málaga. We aren't blind, we know that there are direct clashes between teams that are up there this weekend, and we know what a win would mean to us. We mustn't look backwards, only forwards. We are looking at it with hope, with confidence, and we have to go to Málaga with all the hunger in the world. The group screams security. Every season is different and I am not analysing how many points we may or may not need. It's nice to work on a daily basis and to prepare the next match, but we always have to do it with optimism. I'm not thinking about points or the league standings. I am only thinking about winning and getting the result we want. Oviedo is buzzing and there is a lot of excitement building, but that has to stay outside the changing room. We have to focus on ourselves and on improving. If we keep going then we can be more complete. That is our aim. We are focusing on ourselves and on what we are doing."

Asked about the impact that players coming on from the bench are having, the Gaffer highlighted that "it's a question of maturity and responsibility. The squad has a good atmosphere. There is respect and they are prepared, that's what we ask of them. Those who haven't participated so much have had some difficult moments, but they are patient. It's a credit to them. They've known how to deal with those moments and have never given up. There are mature players who keep going and support the others, and that has been key."

Finally, discussing the situation of Málaga, as the Andalusians try to move away from the relegation zone, Ziganda stated that "teams like Real Oviedo and Málaga are not used to being down there. It's an uncomfortable situation to be in, but I've seen their recent matches and believe that they are going to push and give it everything. We will have to push them too and threaten them. When a team is fighting for survival with the risk of going down it becomes tougher. We can imagine the type of atmosphere we are going to encounter, but we have experience of it. We also have a lot at stake, and it's something nice and exciting. We have to go for it."