Kiko Ramírez: “Everyone has to face Teruel”

Kiko Ramírez met the press ahead of the trip to the Nueva Condomina, where CD Teruel visit Real Murcia this Sunday 6 September at 18:15 on matchday two of Primera Federación. The coach approaches the game “just like the first one: wanting to improve, to be a competitive team, to stand up and to add points. That sums up what this team is.”

He did not hide his respect for the opponent: “A team built to go up, with very good players and an idea of play that fits this category perfectly.” He highlighted their back three, the quality of their midfield, the depth of their wing-backs and “three men up front who make the difference,” in a “higher-category atmosphere” and against a Murcia side coming off a win over a direct rival like Hércules. “They will be hyper-motivated and we will have to counter that with our own weapons.”

The rojillo boss said the team arrives “well physically and, most importantly, mentally,” strengthened by the point against Real Madrid Castilla in a match “where everything happened” and in which “the team showed character. It has believed, the message is getting through and that is the way forward.” And he left a statement of intent: “We face a very tough opponent and ground, but we have to face everyone and everyone has to face Teruel.”

Asked about the game plan, he explained the team is prepared “to play any system,” because “what matters is the style and the model of play, not the system,” and that the aim is “to compete until minute 100.” Among the details to polish he mentioned the adaptation of the recent arrivals and the extra that substitutes must bring.

On the predictions that place Murcia at the top and Teruel at the bottom, he was direct: “Let's hope we are the surprise.” As for the market, he recalled that the club keeps free under-23 slots and that the sporting management keeps scanning options, although “right now the most important thing is the Murcia match.”