Kiko Ramírez: «I sense optimism and that the team is ready to compete»
Kiko Ramírez spoke ahead of the match against Águilas FC, which will be played this Saturday, 24 October, at 18:45 at the Estadio Pinilla, on matchday nine of the Primera Federación. The Rojillo coach stressed the importance of home matches, expressed confidence in his squad and welcomed the City Council's extraordinary support for the club.
The coach acknowledged that this is a direct battle: «As of today, both teams are in the same group, the bottom one, with the same problems. We need to win, and it is very important because they are a direct rival». For Kiko Ramírez, playing at Pinilla has added value: «Playing at home has a double value: winning with our fans and continuing to grow. In our last home game the team showed a different side and we have to keep showing that side, because home games are going to be very important for us».
On the mood in the group after the defeat to Villarreal B, the coach was emphatic: «I have very good feelings and I have had very good feelings for a few weeks now. Often they do not translate into wins, we know what football is like, and we are facing very strong opponents. What matters is the atmosphere inside the dressing room: I sense optimism, I sense that people believe and that the team is ready to compete». He recalled that the team will have to «live on the tightrope» and that there will be bittersweet weeks: «The sweet weeks are going to be really nice, like the week we won the match, and that is how we want this one to be, winning again at home with the support of our people. As a coach, I have full confidence in my players».
Kiko Ramírez also referred to the City Council's extraordinary grant, announced on Thursday: «I think it is good news for everyone around Teruel, that they can help the city's team get out of a problem». He also wanted to highlight the club's conduct: «It is behaving in an exemplary way. We are up to date with everything and it is helping us in every way it can within our budget. The club adapts to us and we adapt to the club. The dressing room has no excuses whatsoever; the team is happy and only wants to win». Even so, he asked his players to stay focused on Saturday's match: «It is our big final».
He expects Águilas FC to be a very demanding opponent: «They are going to come for the match, for them it is also a final. Nobody has given them anything to be in this division and they have an experienced coach who knows these situations very well. We expect a very difficult, very tough match. The boxes and concentration in the key moments are going to be very important, and everything will be very tight for both sides».
As for the preparation, the coach explained that the team «has its work without the ball automated» and that the aim is to keep growing with the ball: «My intention and my way of understanding football is to create, not just to counter the opponent. The team has to be ready for different scenarios, positions and systems». He also highlighted the improvement at set pieces: «For weeks now the team has improved its behaviour at set plays. The work done at Villarreal was very good and, every time we have a problem, we talk about it and work on it».
On the squad, he welcomed Sander Ballero's progress: «It is good news. He is not at one hundred per cent, but he is getting better and can help us a lot. As of today he is able to play a little more than he did at Villarreal». He explained that Sergio Moreno missed Thursday's training session with a fever, but has already rejoined the group: «Today he was with the team and I do not think he will have any problem tomorrow». Finally, he warned that the accumulation of yellow cards will need managing in the coming weeks: «We have a short squad, but we are going to try to compete. The coaching staff is already preparing for the different situations we may face in the future».
