Real Oviedo Head Coach Cuco Ziganda today addressed the media from the Press Room at El Requexón, ahead of this Monday's fixture against CD Lugo.
Now back at work after overcoming Covid-19, the Coach began by analysing the team's current form. Asking whether he sees the footballing or the mental aspect as being more important, he highlighted that "we know that in football, and in other areas of life, your mind is important. Both mental and footballing matters are important and we are focusing on both aspects. Legs make you run, but your head is what makes them move. I see the team as being aware of its job, working and preparing for Monday's match." In addition, regarding re-joining day-to-day work at El Requexón, the Gaffer commented that "I prefer to be here on the inside. You can feel the atmosphere and the energy. I've seen the training sessions from another angle from home. The perspective is different, but that also happens when we record training sessions."
With respect to the team's recent fixtures, Ziganda reasoned that "if we just look at the last two matches, we haven't been ourselves. We had been getting forward and creating chances, but we have been lacking confidence, dynamism, happiness and hunger in these last two games. We are lacking strength, but I think that it has just been in these two specific matches. We have to be aware of what we do well in order to strengthen it."
One of the areas the team needs to improve on is set pieces. Discussing this topic, the Gaffer said that "we can't just look the other way. We train and give it the importance it deserves. We know the types of situations they are, although a training session is nothing like a match. We mustn't stop working on them, but I think it's just a bad run and changing it is in our own hands. There are reasons to keep working and believing. There is no magic remedy, but we believe in the players we have." Ziganda also admitted that "we are aware of our responsibilities in this situation. You go through runs during the season and you just have to make sure that the bad ones are short. We haven't won for six matches and we have to turn things around."
Asked about the team's current situation and whether he thinks it is similar to that of last season, the Coach stated that "it's different. Having players that have been through such a critical time could help us; it's experience. The mental aspect is important for dealing with this type of situation. Right now we are not in that situation and there is a long way to go."
Talking about the conversation held with Arturo Elías this week, Ziganda commented that "it was a nice to see him, and it gave the team belief and strength. It was good to see each other, spread unity, and continue to work together. These runs are broken by all working in the same direction together."
Finally, asked about a possible goalkeeping change for Monday's game, the Coach highlighted that "we are happy with Joan (Femenías) and also with Gabriel's work. Set plays do not depend on one player, but rather on everybody. It's an issue for the group. We aren't being decisive enough."
