Cádiz’s match against Getafe on Saturday left the yellows one point and a pleasant surprise, the return of José Mari to the team. The roteño suffered an injury in the match against Atlético de Madrid for the Carranza Trophy. Since then, the midfielder has been recovering and has suffered relapses that caused him not to have been released this season yet.
José Mari only had about ten minutes in the game, but it was enough to receive all the support and applause from the fans that he has been waiting for his return all season and that they have celebrated every time the midfielder returned to train with the group. There is no doubt that, despite not being able to play, he has continued to contribute in the locker room like the great captain that he is.
The footballer acknowledged in the post-match press conference that he had to prepare himself mentally for the match. “It’s been weeks of strong emotions waiting for the moment, working as we have always worked since I arrived here in Cádiz, with the utmost humility and all the work in the world. I have been preparing myself mentally because I knew I was going to get emotional. A pity that it could not be with a victory. I’m back, very happy, ready to help my teammates and keep pushing.”.
In addition, he also stated that he had a hard time with the injury. “When you can’t help, you feel hurt, sad. It’s been emotionally difficult. Sports psychologist, family, club, fans, everyone has helped me in these toughest moments of my career. They have made me grow, get to know myself and improve.”
Regarding the game against Getafe, he explained that he was happy with the role of the team. “I am very proud of what the team has done. It has changed the system to level a team that is very strong. I’m not saying this is the way to go just because, I’m saying it because I really think so. Let no one give us up for dead. Cádiz is alive and will give war until the last minute of the last game”.
And, finally, he showed his confidence in the locker room. “The team, when they don’t win, and more so in a game in which they have done everything to get the three points, they are upset, annoyed. But I have arrived there, I have looked at the faces of my teammates and if I say that the team is alive it is because their faces reflect it. We will continue working, insisting. We take the idea of the coach to the letter, we trust it. It only remains to continue working along these lines and prepare ourselves because we are going to go to Granada for the three points, which I think we already deserve.”