Kiko Ramírez: «I want them to feel they can beat any opponent»
Kiko Ramírez spoke in the Ibercaja Estadio press room after the 4-1 defeat to Real Zaragoza on matchday six of the Primera Federación. The Rojillo coach explained the game plan, regretted the timing of the hosts' equaliser, congratulated the opponent and thanked the fans who travelled to Zaragoza.
The coach described the approach his team took against a side that plays with «a huge amount of pressure» at home: «Trying to keep the lines close together, shutting down their play through the middle above all, defending the box well and catching them on the counter». The plan worked for much of the first half. «We were fortunate to score from the penalty spot and I think the team defended well, with know-how», he said.
He regretted that the 1-1 came in the seventh minute of first-half stoppage time: «I think that gave them wings, and for us it felt like a punch in the stomach». After the break, a lapse on one header gave Zaragoza the lead and, from then on, the hosts «brought out all the artillery». Kiko Ramírez acknowledged the opponent's merit: «They are the ones who deserved to win this match», and congratulated them on the victory and on the great moment they are going through.
The coach first thanked the Rojillo fans who travelled to the Ibercaja Estadio, aware that the journey home would be hard and that many had to work the next day. On the kick-off time, a Sunday at nine in the evening, he pointed out that it is not set by the clubs and that he understands the role of the broadcasters, but asked for supporters to be taken into account: «We also have to think about the fans, not only Teruel's but Zaragoza's as well».
Asked what the team is missing to secure their first win of the season, Kiko Ramírez gave some context: «We are a new team, everyone knows that, we are the team with the lowest budget in the division and we are in a very difficult league». He noted that CD Teruel have already faced practically every team at the top of the table and made his priority clear: «I am not obsessed with winning the first match. Of course we need it, but I want them to feel they can beat any opponent». He cited the derby against SD Huesca, in which his side went toe to toe with the opposition for seventy minutes, and felt that the scoreline against Zaragoza was «too heavy for what we saw in the match», although he admitted they were up against «a great team in great form».
Finally, the coach compared the two Aragonese sides he has faced in just seven days. «They are two very different teams», he explained. «Zaragoza have a lot of attacking potential with the ball and prefer to take the initiative; Huesca are a very difficult side without the ball». CD Teruel will host AD Alcorcón next Saturday, 10 October, at 18:30 at the Estadio Pinilla.
