Kiko Ramírez: «Proud of my players and of the people who never stopped cheering»
Kiko Ramírez spoke in the Estadio Pinilla press room after the 1-1 draw with Águilas FC on matchday nine of the Primera Federación. The Rojillo coach assessed the point earned with the last move of the game, analysed the keys to a very scrappy match and confirmed that Relu will be out for at least three weeks.
«It feels good, because it came practically with the last move», the coach acknowledged right at the start. «We had high hopes of getting the win and of connecting with the fans who came, but we conceded a goal in the first half that strengthened what they came here to do: make us play little and turn it into a very scrappy match». Even so, he highlighted his team's reaction before the break: «The team stepped it up. We dominated, we kept the ball on the ground, we had it through the middle and we tried to create chances».
The coach referred to Albisua's disallowed goal, which would have been the equaliser: «We score from the second ball, then the video steps in and rules it out. It would have given us a lot and changed things a bit». On the second half, he explained that Relu's injury forced him to reorganise the team and that Albisua's yellow card led him to bring on Sander Ballero: «We had to rearrange everything. The lads got nervous, but they worked incredibly hard, and in the end they got the reward for their effort in pushing forward». Kiko Ramírez valued the point: «We have rescued a point that has merit against a team in real need, who had learned their lesson well. I am not happy, because we were playing at home and I wanted to win, and the players are not happy either, but this division is like this and we have to keep working, battling and fighting».
The worst news of the afternoon was the captain's injury: «We are going to lose Relu for a minimum of three weeks. He has a calf injury. Hopefully it will be as short as possible, but I think it is the worst news the day has left us». He also explained Sergio Moreno's situation: «He has had a fever all week. The lad did everything he could to be in the match today and I had to take him off because he could not go on any longer».
The coach had words of thanks for the substitutes who changed the game: «I am really pleased for Goyo, who came off the bench and scored, and for Borikó, who has only just arrived. I have to be very grateful to them, because it is not easy to come on in a situation like that». He also made his position on the squad clear: «I will always defend my players, because they are the ones who play the matches. That is my philosophy». On the goal conceded from a set piece, he said it will be analysed calmly: «Lately we had not been having problems at set pieces and we are not going to change everything every time we concede. We will polish the details, but we also have to acknowledge the opponent's quality. That is football, and our stoppage-time goal came the same way».
Finally, Kiko Ramírez addressed the Rojillo fans: «I thank the people who came to the ground and those who helped us. I completely understand that they want to see their team win, and all I ask is that during the match we all stand together, because that helps the players. I am the person most responsible and the first who would love to win every game. I know very well what I have in my hands and I will keep working with the same intensity as if we had won five matches in a row». He concluded: «Proud of my players and proud of the people who never stopped cheering for the hundred minutes the match lasted». CD Teruel will visit UE Sant Andreu next Saturday, 31 October, at 16:00 at the Narcís Sala.
