Gracia: “I’m only thinking about winning, I’m optimistic and I think we will do well”

Javi Gracia spoke to the media on Friday in his pre-match press conference, looking ahead to the LaLiga game against Celta Vigo.

Three important points at stake

“What really concerns me is, in the next game, doing things better than in the last one. Knowing that the points at stake are very important, we have worked hard during the week to be able to achieve them. As for the next result: I only think about winning. I remain optimistic and positive, and I think we are going to do well.”

Wanting a better performance

“That’s how it has to be. Our showing in the last game was very bad; the purpose of our approach was to continue being aggressive, press higher, recover balls in the opposition half… and as the game progressed we saw the opposite happen. Things did not work out for us. Against Celta Vigo we must look at it as a match against a different team. They have high percentages of possession, keep the ball and accumulate players in the attack. There will be times when we have to be more aggressive in our pressure, and others in which, from further back, we have to have more control on our transitions, which is -along with attacks from the wings- where the opposition struggle most. We know about the opponents’ weaknesses. The important thing is to give a good showing and get a good result.”

“I am worried that we are not getting the results we all want. The circumstances for both teams are similar in that all teams have players out throughout the season. We are concerned not only about the situation posed by the opposition, but also about us not getting the points that we want. That's what is really important.

I want to do my job as well as possible. I want the team to win. Few people are interested in what concerns me. I have to do my job well, make the team work better and achieve better results.”

 A busy week

“We have tried to work on all phases of play. We have worked on defence, other days we have worked on attack, today the focus was more on set pieces. We have trained chances and finishing. Our opponents concede goals on transitions and from crosses from the wings, and we are looking to make the players aware of the importance of attacking in a certain way and taking advantage of space.”

Meetings to reinforce the team

“My situation is no different to before. Obviously we’re coming into this one off a bad result and a bad game, and that keeps you more worried about the situation, but our day-to-day situation has not changed at all. I have not been to any meeting.

“I value very positively all types of meetings that are held with captains and ambassadors. I see good intentions in them. What we have to show is that those good intentions can translate into good play, and that when the game arrives we translate that interest and that will into good play and results. I appreciate it, coming from ambassadors, from the motivation of players seeking unity. I see it as positive and I appreciate it a lot.”

The conversation with Anil Murthy

The day we had off, I was working here in Paterna, and I received a phone call. I spoke with them for a few minutes, then the next day there were more meetings with the captains, with the ambassadors and others. The president showed his concern for the situation of the team and wanted to know how they were doing. I’m not contemplating anything other than winning.”

The squad

“Mangala was already part of the squad in the previous game. Someone who will come in will be Jasper Cillessen, who is now available. Cheryshev and Diakhaby have different recovery processes ongoing.

“When we talked about the fact that Cillessen had medical clearance and that he was not yet ready to be called up, it was because there were doubts as to whether he was fully fit. Now he is ready, is available and is part of the squad.”

Absences for RC Celta

“They would know the effect that will have better than me. We all know the importance that some players have, but we all have our absentees, and the important ones for me are the ones that I have.”