Palma, Apr 8 (EFE).- Javier Aguirre, Mallorca’s Mexican coach, described the clash that his team will face this Sunday against Real Valladolid at the José Zorrilla stadium as a “six-point match”.
“Many things are at stake, the golaverage itself, although it is not a key game or a final because there are ten ahead, but it is very important and there are many ingredients against an opponent that will not be easy. I expect a very intense match”, Aguirre assessed at the press conference.
He stressed, in relation to the hard struggle to avoid relegation, that he had “never” experienced a similar situation “in the fifteen years” that he has been leading teams in Spain.
“There are already ten different teams that have been in relegation at some point this season. Never in my 15-year career in this country have I seen it. It will cost – permanence – all of us who are there, ”he said.
In line with the battle to maintain the category, Aguirre admitted that he had been “surprised” by the recent dismissals of Pacheta at Valladolid and Diego Martínez at Espanyol.
“It is true that the dynamics sometimes push (the clubs) to make decisions. This without going into day-to-day or group dynamics with the board, the press or the fans. The two (dismissals) surprised me, indeed, because they are two technicians of very proven quality. But this is our job. When we enter here it’s getting dark and it’s one day less. It always comes to everything, for sure, ”he said.
The vermilion coach gave an account of the seven casualties he has for the visit to José Zorrilla and advanced that he could play with a defense of four players, instead of the five that he has used since his arrival at the Balearic institution in March 2022.
“Seven players will not be tomorrow José Copete, Giovanni González and Idrissu Baba, due to suspension; Ludwig Agustinsson, Dani Rodríguez, Matija Nastasic, injured, in addition to the loss of Rodrigo Battaglia (transferred to the Brazilian Atlético Mineiro). Dennis (Hadžikadunić) will play and I will take the players from the Llabrés subsidiary, Gayá and Marcos, to Valladolid, because Martin (Valjent) is between cottons ”, he explained.
Regarding the team from Pucelano and the debut of their coach, the Uruguayan and former Majorcan player Paulo César Pezzolano, Aguirre reiterated that he expects a “very complicated” match.
“Valladolid treats the ball very well, they have a very good footing and they were right with the signing of the Canadian boy (Cyle Larin) who has five goals. He is a rival who, in his field and with a new coach, will want to play a good game. And with his mister we had to face each other in Mexico. He led one team and I led another. We know each other. He is a brave coach who likes his teams to press high and be offensive ”, argued the Mallorcan coach.
Finally, Javier Aguirre referred to the numerous cards and expulsions on the soccer fields. He described it as “hard work” by the referees.
“I have spoken with my footballers and I tell them that they cannot mess with the referee, neither for better nor for worse. Are you going to argue with the police when you jump a traffic light or are you going to throw the car over. Of course not. You have to respect them and that has always been my message, ”she remarked.
