Pellicer: “It's going to be a great match; we have to enjoy it”
Málaga CF's coach spoke this Friday ahead of the match against Córdoba CF at the Nuevo Arcángel stadium. “It's important to keep adding points and convey our playing style, seeing the players progress, and adapting to the category,” he said.
First Andalusian derby of the season
“The fanbases are united. Thanks to everyone's hard work, we are now where we dreamed of being last year. It's an Andalusian derby where we are united. We have to approach the match with the confidence of having won in front of our fans, but with the drive as if we had conceded three goals. We are two very similar teams, with clear ideas, and both of us are adapting to the category. We know each other perfectly, and there are small details we can adjust. It’s going to be a great match, and we have to enjoy it. We’re on matchday 4, and continuing to win and accumulate points is a good foundation; these are stages. They have one point, but that’s merely anecdotal. We need to stay balanced, as it will be a very tough match. We're approaching it with confidence and determination.”
Córdoba CF, a tough rival
“I expect a Córdoba team coming in with that momentum from a loss. Aside from certain nuances, their approach is very clear. Last year, they needed their space and time to earn points. Now, there's the opposition from rivals and the demands of the division. Last year, we had very clear objectives, and now we do as well - to settle into the category quickly. I expect a team that likes to combine plays, and we’ll stick to our own idea.”
Nuances of victory
“They are just details, but we achieved a very important win. The penalty changed everything, and with one player less, we would be sitting on two points. This is the fourth matchday, and it’s crucial to keep adding points and conveying our style of play, seeing the players’ progress, and adapting to the category. What happened the other day is very important; we have to push ourselves to the limit, which is why we lost two players to injury. We need to go to Córdoba with the same mindset as if we were playing in Granada or Cádiz. We shouldn't focus on the standings; we need to know how to manage victories. We have a roadmap, and if we don’t stick to it, any team can beat us. You have to stay on the edge, active, and attentive to the small details.”
Options for the wing
“We have Haitam and Yanis, and we can also switch up a player's role if needed. We have options. Haitam is gradually getting more minutes, but we have to take it step by step.”
Dioni and Antoñito Cordero, top goal scorers
“Form is temporary. You see it day by day, and the real test is in the match. Football is about moments. Dioni trained for just a day and a half before scoring against Mirandés. Then he had a great week and contributed a lot to the team. Everyone will have their moment. Antonio is a young lad, but I want to prioritise players with more experience. For the young ones to succeed, the veterans make them better. Experienced players elevate the others. Now we have Luismi. We need to be very patient in managing form. What's important is the collective spirit, as that's what will help us achieve our ultimate goal. We must know how to manage victories, especially with players stepping up, and now there are injuries. When these situations arise, there’s space for someone else, and performance on the pitch speaks for itself. We need to value the experienced players, who make the younger ones better. The future of the club lies with them, and it's crucial to recognise that role in helping the team improve.”
Reunion with Genaro
“We hold him in high regard for everything he gave us. Thanks to his mental strength, he was able to turn everything around that was happening around him. Genaro, Juande, Ramón, and the coaching staff are the ones left from the year we want to forget. I wish him all the best after tomorrow's game, because I have great respect for him, and he's a true professional.”