Kiko Ramírez: «I would have liked to win, but to me it feels like a victory»
Kiko Ramírez appeared in the press room at the Estadio Pinilla after the draw with SD Huesca (1-1) on matchday five of the Primera Federación. The Rojillo coach said he was proud of his team's performance in the first Aragonese derby of the season, regretted not having taken all three points and already turned his attention to the trip to Real Zaragoza.
The coach began his assessment by stressing how tough the division is. «Winning three points in a match costs a lot, not just for us, for everyone else too», he said. He pointed out that it had been a long time since the team reached the 70th minute with all eleven players performing at such a high level, and recalled that he had already said before the game that it had been a different week: «I had seen in training that DNA, that attitude, that desire to take that little step forward, and today we showed it». He acknowledged that the visitors' goal hurt, but made his feelings clear: «I'm super proud of what I saw. Tonight I'll sleep easy».
On his substitutions, he explained that Huesca used practically all of their changes and put a lot of pace on the flanks, while his side were picking up bookings. «At any moment we could have been down to ten men», he said. The coach admitted he was struck by the difference in disciplinary treatment between the two teams, with three yellow cards for the Rojillos' first three fouls and none for their opponents, although he said he would review the match calmly. He added that Sergio Moreno, who had «a great game», asked to come off after giving everything on the pitch, and that in the closing stages he brought on another forward because his aim was to win, not to settle for a point.
Asked about the start to the league campaign, the coach spoke about the feeling within the squad: «The team is coming together more and more, we are more and more of a unit». He celebrated the first goal of the season, which he hopes will be «the first of many», and recalled the two efforts that hit the post and the disallowed goal in previous matchdays: «This team was being punished too much». He insisted that CD Teruel will fight until the end for an objective he described as very clear.
Kiko Ramírez praised Nathanael, who made his competitive debut this season, and Hugo Redón, two players who had been waiting for their chance and responded with a great performance. «That means those who aren't playing are pushing hard, and that is competitiveness», he explained. On the shape with four defenders and three midfielders, he argued that modern football requires teams to use several systems within the same match and felt the team did very well, to the point that Huesca were, in his view, the opponent who have created the fewest chances against them so far this season.
The coach ended his press conference looking ahead to the next fixture, away to Real Zaragoza, an opponent he described as having «a great deal of stature» and who will look to impose their attacking potential. «We are going to work this week to counter with an attack. Let's see if we can do it. I think we can», he said, before summing up his feelings after the derby: «I would have liked to win, of course. Today was the day, but to me it feels like a victory».
