Jose Manuel Rodriguez Ortega, assistant coach of the Elche coach, Francisco Rodríguez, offered the press conference prior to the franjiverde visit to Real Madrid (Sunday, 4:15 p.m.). Francisco and his second, Jaime Ramos, are awaiting a new Covid-19 test to find out if they can be at the Santiago Bernabu.
Ortega, who will not be on the bench due to suspension, Expect a more dominating and pressing Real Madrid compared to Thursday’s duel in the Copa del Rey at the Martínez Valero (1-2 after extra time). And despite the “many difficulties in making replacements” due to the numerous casualties, he assured that the team from Elche will compete “to the maximum” against the whites.
Francisco and Jaime continue with Covid-19
“We expect one more test tomorrow. Depending on the results, they may or may not be in Madrid.”
Ups and downs
“We got Piatti back, while Boy finished training with a good feeling. When we define the eleven with the master, decide if Boy starts or during the game. It’s positive news. Guido Carrillo has problems with the Cup and it is preferable that The rest are still sick due to Covid-19 (Barragn, Pastore, Josema and Omar Mascarell) or muscle injury (Bigas, Enzo Roco, Marcone and Carrillo). Bigas is injured and has Covid. We have many difficulties to work and make spare parts, but we are going to give our chest”.
Progress of the team in the last days
“Since we arrived, the master wanted to mark a sign of identity, which we must maintain whether we win or lose. The main ones are to be competitive and generous in the effort. The team, which is taking it to the letter, feels more comfortable and safe. We have very good players. If we maintain the intensity and the commitment, everything will be easier”.
If we maintain the intensity and commitment, everything will be easier
Physical state after the Cup effort
“The ideal would be to have everyone available, but the situation is what it is. We had a light session. As we commented to the players, we have to compete to the maximum. The game does not give us an option for anything else due to the demand. the bench, but those of us who are going will compete to the maximum”.
We will have little baggage on the bench, but those of us who are going will compete to the maximum
What match are you waiting for?
“Real Madrid will be fresher. They will make about seven changes in the eleven. At home, they press higher. You have to know how to manage their waves, in which they seem to overwhelm you. If we are together and we take out the moments of difficulty, we will have our counter options.
You have to know how to manage their waves, in which they seem to overwhelm you
In the medical spotlight
“You can tell by the number of calls I receive, which has increased in recent days. I face it calmly, knowing my place in the coaching staff. We try to run the press conferences in the best possible way”.
The image in Copa reinforces
“The best thing that happened after the game was the reinforcement to continue believing in the direction we should have. We all ended up angry, because we were very close to passing the round. But we can’t forget the team we faced. We had Real Madrid against the ropes. We must firmly believe in our identity. It was heard in the players that, at least, it served as reinforcement”.
We had Real Madrid on the ropes
Match other than Cup
“Real Madrid always play the same at home and away. Although it is true that they are feeling comfortable in a medium-low block, at home they press higher for more minutes. That is the biggest difference that we will notice. They will dominate and make us sacrifice a lot. And the environment will also be different, being against”.
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