Kiko Ramírez: «We have broken the scoring barrier and now we have to break the barrier of winning»
Kiko Ramírez spoke to the media ahead of the match against AD Alcorcón, which will be played this Saturday, 10 October, at 18:30 at the Estadio Pinilla, on matchday seven of the Primera Federación. The Rojillo coach talked about an opponent in great form, the mood in the dressing room, the need to secure the first win and this week's absences, and he wanted to rally round Sergio Moreno.
The coach described Alcorcón as a team «that is near the top, has plenty of goals and is very direct», arriving at Pinilla after a big win on the last matchday. Against them, he asked to see the same version of CD Teruel that competed against SD Huesca: «It has to be an intense team, and from the very first play the message to the teams that come here has to be that this match is going to be difficult». He said he has good feelings because the team «is fully committed» and called on the fans: «I hope and wish they turn out in large numbers, because they are very important at times like this. The team needs that support».
He described the dressing room as «angry, wanting to show that things are going to change», and reiterated his commitment to the group: «I am convinced, I am with them. I keep saying that I am fully behind this dressing room». Asked what the team is missing to win, he stressed the need not to drop the level of activation and concentration against high-quality opponents, and recalled the step already taken: «A couple of weeks ago we scored a goal and last week we scored again. We have broken that barrier and now we have to break the barrier of winning. This team needs to win». The recipe, he explained, is to minimise mistakes, take advantage of the opponent's errors and for the team «to finally let go».
On the injury front, Kiko Ramírez confirmed that Panagiotis Moraitis will be out with a torn hamstring and that Sander Ballero is not yet ready to compete, although he expects to have him back next week. He explained that the young players training with the first team can only be registered as under-23 players and can help when suspensions or injuries arrive, but that the situation «is one the rest of us have to get through». He acknowledged that there are few alternatives in attack —«we are short of players, that is the reality»— and that his job is to find solutions: «Teamwork is what will matter above all».
The coach also wanted to address the situation of Sergio Moreno after his goal celebration at the Ibercaja Estadio. He admitted that the striker made a mistake, which he considered «a minor error», and noted that the player has already publicly apologised. «I am here to defend my player», he said. He stressed that Sergio Moreno «has not received red cards, has not attacked anyone or injured anyone: he is a striker who plays hard», regretted the insults he had already received at a previous away game and asked for respect: «Whoever goes after Sergio, or any of my players, will be going after Kiko Ramírez. From there, we turn the page: let every team fight for its objectives, and we will fight for ours».
On the defensive side, he explained that, after reviewing the matches, many of the goals conceded could have been avoided, but he was convinced of the group's progress: «The team is improving and is going to improve a lot more, because I see it during the week». He noted that the fixture list has brought together several strong teams in this opening stretch and made the team's attitude clear: «We are going to fight every Sunday and until the very end». He also referred to the resources the coaching staff works with and to the training facilities, whose artificial pitch he believes needs to be replaced: «We are here to try to make the club bigger. It is costing us, but we are going to fight».
