Against Real Madrid, Granada's 56th game this season.
It has been a pretty full year. Who imagined that this would be match 56? That speaks very well of the current season, many beautiful games. It is worth it.
One year to frame.
We have made historical milestones for this club. We know where we come from. Three years ago we were in Second and achieving all this has been very important. The pity is that there has been no audience. That is a misfortune. If we can distract the fans for even a couple of hours on TV, so much the better.
It has been a difficult year. Marathon of matches, injuries, coronavirus …
The slogan 'Eterna Lucha' comes to our feet. We've been through a lot, but we always push forward. In the face of adversity, we do not make any kind of excuses and we approach the next game as the most important. I come from below fighting a lot.
Against Real Madrid.
We know the entity of the rival and that it will be a very difficult game because they play to win the League. We have to be ourselves like the whole season despite the two losses in a row that tarnish the role a little. We look forward to delivering a victory for our people and showing that we can fight for three points.
Can you get your hands on Real Madrid?
We already gave the surprise at the Camp Nou because we believed that you could win. In football, not everything is said, although we highlight the entity of the rival that has players who can decide a game at any minute. We believe in ourselves and we will go for victory.
At Real Madrid they are angry with the refereeing for the famous hand of Militao.
In this matter of the hands, without a doubt, there is no unified criterion and we hope that they will agree first and we will understand them a little more. In a game on Saturday they whistle you and on Sunday, the same play, they don't whistle you. We do not know the criteria there is.
Granada have been awarded eleven penalties in this league.
We know that we have been awarded penalties against, but I repeat that we do not make any kind of excuse and we must correct the errors that have caused those penalties.
Germán has scored at least one goal in each of the last nine seasons.
I know what my role is; first defend, second defend and third defend. But if strategy goals can be added to the team, there I am, it is a facet that we work a lot and in this category the set piece is very important.
By game characteristics: is he Sergio Ramos from Los Cármenes?
I don't like the comparison because Sergio Ramos has been in the elite for many years, which is difficult if not impossible. I am very happy with my career and I am enjoying it very much at the moment.
He has grown up as a footballer with Granada.
We have gone hand in hand, you learn from all teams, but here we have achieved many things. At the same time that it is enjoyed, it suffers.
Do you remember how you got to Granada?
They contacted me during those playoffs that I played with Tenerife against Getafe. I did not want to give it much importance and I left it for later. In the end we reached an agreement that, given what we have seen, was quite positive. One of the best decisions of my life seeing how much I have grown with the club. In the city I feel very comfortable. It is to be very happy but I would not like to stop here, I would like to continue achieving success.
How was your debut in Primera with Granada?
A dream come true. It was in Villarreal and the result was 4-4. I didn't even have time to think about the debut. A goal recital. A match to remember. It was closer to being a tennis match than a soccer match.
Always central?
In San Fernando I played in a few occasions as a midfielder and in my origins I occasionally played as a midfielder. As they say, those who are not worth up are delayed.
Who is the most difficult striker to score?
Benzema, Messi, Griezmann … What am I going to tell him? Benzema is in a very good moment in the scorer facet pulling Real Madrid and very opportunistic. He is in his best moments of the career.
Diego Martínez commented that he values staying in the First Division more than having played in Europe.
I agree. We have stayed in the middle of the table upwards and one always gets used to the good. You have to give it the value as the coach says. Permanence is more important to us than entering Europe. Permanence is the dream of the club, of the people, to return to enjoy another year in the First Division and from there, to achieve beautiful things.
Granada has been a team on the edge. Fast pace of matches, injuries, sanctions, the coronavirus …
The secret is that we are a large squad and it has been proven that we all have a place. The one who comes out for a teammate on leave does it well and the coach has a range of players. The performance of the squad to withstand three competitions in a club that was not used says a lot about the squad.
People value what they are achieving.
Totally. We perceive that illusion that we transmit as a team. The most beautiful thing is to transmit a series of values to the fans, who feel identified. Every minute we fight it as if it were the last and the most beautiful thing is that we transmit to them that strength that things can be achieved.
Diego Martínez has transformed this Granada.
You are right. Both he and the coaching staff. We have all gone hand in hand. It has been noticed that we have been in tune.
Do you think Diego is going to stay?
I have no idea because there is no time to think about these things with such a rhythm of matches. In these three years he has given the club growth and we think that hopefully he will stay because he has made history. But that is a club decision. We are delighted with him.
Jorge Molina and Roberto Soldado, the 'floats of the goal'.
Two professionals like the crown of a pine tree. They complement each other very well. Also Luis Suárez. They come to train as if it were the first day. It is a blessing for all, for the young people. They are two clear examples of how this profession is magnified. Hopefully I will reach Jorge Molina's age with that vitality and energy and enthusiasm as if I were a kid.
What has been the most beautiful moment of this season?
I don't have a key moment. It has been the development of the season, competing three days a week. That says a lot about what we have achieved.
The people who tell you on the street?
They congratulate the team for the values we transmit to them by playing soccer. They thank you.
It has taken root in Granada.
In December I had my daughter Carla and that means that one is very comfortable in the club and the city. One more grenadine-
What is the central you like the most?
I have always liked Fernando Hierro for his leadership, order and knowing how to be. One of my references.
We asked him about the famous Betis-Granada play. Transfer within the Gonalons area to goalkeeper Aaron?
For me personally it wasn't because I don't know if he hit Max (Gonalons) in the ankle. We do not make excuses. The referee made a decision, right or wrong. It was a game that decided the game and that's it.
We also saw him showing his face in the exchange of words between Soldier and Díaz de Mera on the day of Cádiz.
We have not had luck with Isidro (Díaz de Mera) but hey. Just as players make mistakes, referees also make mistakes. An appeal was attempted and we have to turn the page.
How much do you have left on your contract?
It ended in 2022.
Have you been told something about staying longer?
At the moment we have not spoken because I am focused on training, tomorrow's game and the next. If we have to sit down, we will sit down and talk as we have always done.
If it were up to you, you would stay up to 50 …
I don't think so muchlaughs). I am very comfortable here. One is celebrating years and, year after year, you have to see in what condition you are, if the club is happy with you and if you see yourself usable for the team. We will try to think about that later.
Will Granada return to Europe?
If he had asked me this question a year ago, they might still call us crazy. Let no one doubt that, if the moment comes like last year, we are going to try to take advantage of the fact that it was a bizarre last-minute carom. We have to think about the options we have now thinking about the next game.