Real Oviedo Head Coach Cuco Ziganda today appeared in the Press Room at El Requexón.
How is the squad doing physically and morally? Has anybody particularly surprised you?
- The squad is fine. Last week we had all the players available in all seven sessions. This week, with the tempo stepping up and the demands increasing, with tackles, collisions, small-sized matches, there has been the odd player with knocks. They've stopped as a precaution, but we are happy that we haven't had any injuries so far.
(Rayo Vallecano) coach Paco Jémez commented the other day that his players were in worse physical condition than (they would be) when coming back off holidays in July. Have you found the same? Is the main aim to avoid injuries?
- I couldn't say that, I don't know. They have an admirable attitude and willingness. We are aware of the situation we are in, but they've done well. There have been knocks, as expected, but they are all training and doing well. We will analyse it once the competition has restarted, but so far I've not noticed anything.
How has the new form of training been, without having the full squad together as one?
- It's different. We are trying to measure the tempo of the sessions and the tasks we are doing each day. There are times that we have less players available and the exercises are more repetitive, and we have to be aware of everything. We are talking about it all together and distributing the tasks day by day. We are trying to take care, so that we can approach the first day back in competition in the best way possible.
This week has seen group training sessions. Have they been useful in order to work on the collective ideas that you want to implement, or has the players recovering their physical condition still been the priority?*
- We are mixing it now, within the limitations. Playing ideas and fine details which allow us to start to show the aspects of play we want to implement in the league.
What have you made of the academy players who have been training with the first team?*
- Very happy. They've been showing the attitude we expect of them. They are hungry, excited, and very nervous.
A return to action on 12th June is being suggested. Is it a case of the sooner the better, or would it be more prudent to wait and prevent injuries?
- I think it will be tight to get back for the 12th, bearing in mind that we will need two weeks after beginning to train together. However, it's also true that if playing on the 12th would then allow us to free up a midweek slot, then it would be good. If starting on the 12th still means playing Wednesdays and Sundays then it would be rushed and we wouldn't gain anything.
What is going to be the key to the return to competition? What type of matches are you expecting?*
- I'm not expecting anything special. We are focused on the first match and we aren't thinking about whether it will be different or not. We are thinking about an express match, and there won't be time to think much. We are just preparing that match.
What would you think about the 'new normality' of football in Spain, once we've seen how it works in Germany? How did you feel watching Bundesliga matches with no crowd?
- It's strange; it's missing a spark. In part it's disappointing to see that type of scenario, but we also understand that it's the only way that we can get started again now. We will have to accept what we are living through and trust that normality will return as soon as possible. We have to accept it, it's very sad. People will look for alternatives in order to experience it in a different way. I like football. The only thing that changed in the matches I saw was the lack of atmosphere. Since it's still football, the game is still very similar.
Is home advantage completely wiped out by playing behind closed doors?
- It will take it away and make everything more even. Pressure unconsciously grips you normally, in your favour or against you, and this might make you more relaxed. We have to take the positives and see who is most affected. The atmosphere, not having your fans there with you...all of this will change things.
Do you have confirmation that you will have Bárcenas available until the end of the season, bearing in mind that he is on loan from a foreign club and might be in a different situation to the other loanees?*
- As far as I know we will have all of the players available. They've shown their willingness and I am very happy.
One of the aspects of the return of the Bundesliga has been the introduction of five substitutions per match. Do you think this might change the way of playing matches?*
- The return of football in Germany has been a ray of light for all of us, and we have paid close attention to it. Not many teams have made five changes, but we will see how it develops. We are thinking it over and we will see the tactical solutions these extra changes give us. The issue of the five changes is not simple, either. When you have three you think everything over a lot, so with five it will be even more complicated. It's won't be easy to make five changes.
There is discussion about the physical condition, but also mental factors. How are the players doing ahead of the return to competition?*
- In our case we have no excuse for not being focused and mentally prepared. We still can't say the pandemic is over while the State of Alert is in place, and we must keep being careful, but we are taking steps so that football can push on. We cannot get distracted when we start competing. We are playing for our future and we are not going to make excuses. We have to be at 100% and prepare the first match as well as possible.
