Kiko Ramírez: “We suffered, we fought, but we got it”

Kiko Ramírez met the press after CD Teruel's draw against Real Madrid Castilla (0-0) on matchday one of Primera Federación and summed up the night in one sentence: “We suffered, we fought, but we got it. We already have one point on the board; some teams will take weeks to get one.”

The coach was delighted with the team's effort: “Everybody gave 200%, and that is what a coach asks for. Being the club and the squad that we are, we measured up against a reserve side like Real Madrid's.”

Tactically, he explained that the change of system surprised the opponent, with the “long full-backs” — an extra centre-back — to stop the visitors' two-on-ones out wide, and praised the group's personality: “Today we had to play without the ball for 80% of the match, and the team knew how to play every moment. We cannot be predictable. We must keep improving.”

On Amador Zarco, the night's hero with a penalty save: “He doesn't surprise us. He went out and did his job very well, and on top of that he is a penalty-stopper. The fans have identified a great goalkeeper and a great professional.”

The coach regretted Belevonis's sending-off — “it's a shame; he will rest for a few matchdays and we will build the team again” — and is already thinking about the trip to Real Murcia: “We will try to recover the players we have injured, above all full-backs, to compete at the Nueva Condomina. Kilometre two.”

He closed by thanking Pinilla: “I loved the atmosphere. The other day I said the fans were our number 12 and today, hats off. We are a family: this is the first kilometre of many and we will walk it together, hand in hand.”