Kiko Ramírez: «A difficult setting, but also the best setting»
Kiko Ramírez spoke to the media ahead of the trip to Real Zaragoza, which takes place this Sunday 4 October at 21:00 at the Ibercaja Estadio on matchday six of the Primera Federación. The Rojillo coach acknowledged the quality of the opponent and their good form, but made it clear that CD Teruel are travelling to Zaragoza with the intention of winning in a match he described as historic for the club.
Asked about the words of the Zaragoza coach, Ibai Gómez, who named Real Zaragoza as favourites, Kiko Ramírez admitted that, on paper, the Aragonese side are the best team in the division, although he pointed out that this has to be proven on the pitch. «We are going to compete as we did against Huesca, playing at 200%, because 100% isn't enough for us, and with great respect for a great club like Real Zaragoza», he said.
The coach stressed that the Aragonese side are enjoying a sweet spell after stringing together several important wins, but insisted that the season is very long and that every match has its own story: «I hope this is the match that has that story to tell». On the game plan, he avoided giving clues to the opposition, although he explained that the team has worked tactically to counter the strengths of a Zaragoza side that wants to take the lead with the ball: «I will probably adapt much more to Zaragoza than Zaragoza will to Teruel».
Kiko Ramírez used the press conference to call for better facilities for football in Teruel. The team has had to prepare for the match on the artificial pitch at the Luis Milla ground, a surface he considers worn out. «Teruel has to get to work», said the coach, who called for a pitch in good condition both for the first team and for the youngsters of the academy, who, he recalled, give their all every weekend on that kind of surface.
The coach denied that a bad result would set off alarm bells, because the team's urgency is the same as all week: to pick up points and secure the first win. «For us it is a difficult setting, but the best setting. If you plan the match well, if you compete well and if you are lucky enough to get those three points, what better than the first win, and in Zaragoza», he said. He added: «I'm not going to hide. We have to go there not only to get a point, but to win».
On the physical side, Kiko Ramírez explained that Sergio Moreno, who finished the match against Huesca with discomfort, is «getting through the weeks» and competing at a high level, and he hopes to be able to count on him. The rest of the squad is available. «Everyone wants to be there, which is logical, because it is a historic match for Teruel», said the coach, who nonetheless wants his players to approach it as just another Primera Federación match: «If we relax, this division is cruel».
The coach closed his press conference by talking about the atmosphere he expects at the Ibercaja Estadio: «The atmosphere every footballer and every coach wants: a football atmosphere, a pitch in perfect condition and a great team in great form». His wish, he said, is for it to be «a head-to-head battle».
