Fernando Soriano Marco (Zaragoza, September 24, 1979) came to the sports management of UD Ibiza in December 2018. His decisions when making the squads have also been decisive for the successes of the club chaired by Amadeo Salvo. The celestial are starring in a great start to the season in their debut in LaLiga SmartBank, with eleven points after eight games played.
What grade do you give your team to date?
The note must be put at the end. This is a process, in which there are good and not so good moments. We are happy with the performance of the team, but this does not stop. There is no use putting a temporary note on it. It has to be for the whole season. We have to continue working as we are doing, and that's it.
Was the Ibiza expected to perform as well as a debutant in the category?
You have seen that we have bet a lot on the people who came from the previous season. We were clear that these people had shown that they could compete in the Second Division, we had no doubts. From there, we try to complement with more experienced people, with things that we think we could lack. The coach has a fairly competitive squad and is spoiled for choice. The reading is positive, but this has only just begun. What we have done so far shows us the way to go.
Do you like the reveal team tag?
I don't know who says it or who doesn't say it.
Many people believe that they are the revelation of the championship …
Whoever saw us last year knows that we are a continuation, I think improved. From there on, it's a higher category with much better rivals. We must continue to measure up. The team is clear about what it wants and what it is playing at. Those who have not seen us can say that we are a surprise, but those who did know us know that we are a team with very similar ideas to those of the previous year, so it is less surprising.
You have a tough October, with six games and four of them out. Can you mark the future a bit?
In the end we won two games, one away and one at home, so it doesn't influence us much. I would even tell you that our best game was not at home. For me, in Eibar we have a great match, but the effectiveness means that you can win or lose. At a technical-tactical level, you tell me: ‘Which game do you like more, Leganés or Eibar? And you answer: “Well, I like the one at Eibar better.” But we lost, and Leganés won it. It is the second. In the end there are moments, circumstances … What I do see is that we have an idea and the coach marks very well what he is looking for, his players understand it and believe in it.
Are there fears in the club that the defeat against Eibar could do more damage than it should or has already turned the page?
I would fear if I saw that the players do not believe in what they do, but I am convinced that the footballers continue to be positive with what they train. I see it reflected every Sunday. At this level of professional sport, winning or losing is normal. We will not believe that we are the milk nor will I sink to lose. I will worry when I see that the team does not believe in what it trains, that it does not reflect on Sunday what it does during the week … There I will worry. But when I see that my team is consistent when playing as it trains, it is a matter of success, effectiveness, a state of grace …
They are two points from the 'play-off' and three from relegation. No one can sleep here …
It is the Second Division. It's so long… I want to remember, I don't know if it was last season or the previous one, that there was a team that finished the first round in a 'play-off' and then ended up descending. Equality is so important … If we had won the other day in Eibar we would be in the 'play-off', and it could have been won. In the end, we rely more on feelings, performance, group dynamics … We are convinced of what we do and we have to continue there. We are clear about what we are looking for and what we want, and the path is what we have planned for it.
Is it surprising to see heavyweights like Alcorcón, Zaragoza, Girona, Leganés, down there on the table, below Ibiza?
It doesn't surprise me that these teams are at the bottom and neither are others that are at the top. There are two or three teams that, by squad, or by a specific player who seems to be superior to the category, it is normal for them to be at the top. But in all the others the differences are few, and what you have to do is try to hide your defects to highlight your virtues.
Are you referring to Almería, Sporting, Las Palmas and Eibar as teams that stand out from the rest?
Above all, Almería has a differential player, who has been showing it since last year and also this year. He is a player who makes a difference (Sadiq). Then, there is no doubt, that there are templates that by prestige are already important. But come on, I have respect for them, but never fear. If something has been shown in football, it is that you do not live in the past. We go out every game with the mentality of winning it, whoever the rival is. We know that we can win anyone and lose anyone.
Of the newcomers to the squad, which player has surprised you?
Everyone is doing a great job. In the end this is a team effort. They have all shown that they can compete. The team is showing great know-how and whether one plays or another plays it has always stood up. I think the coach has never repeated eleven. He has always made changes, even six, and the team has continued to respond. You can win or lose, but the team has its identity, its ideas and its clarity.
They said they know where they want to go. Can you tell me?
To be a recognizable team, what we are seeing so far. I feel identified with what I have been looking for day after day, in the market, and I think that the coaching staff and the players feel happy.
I was also referring to the purposes of classification and objectives …
In the Second Division it is very difficult to set goals. You have already told me before that we are two points from the 'play-off' and three points from relegation, and we have been eight days. You can be higher or lower depending on small details. The line between victory and defeat is so fine that I trust more by what I can feel than by what I see every Sunday. Confidence is maximum in this squad and in this coaching staff. We must continue working and working as we are doing so far. From there, we are confident that the results will come.