He is a kind of captain without a bracelet of the Royal Society. Always analyze everything you say well and do not stitch without thread. He speaks from the feeling, because before dressing the first team jersey, he left his throat from the stands. In the week of LaLiga's return, he goes through SER to show his most optimistic and ambitious side. Ah! And of course, he also gets wet with the future of Martin Ødegaard, with whom he has a very good relationship.
-How are you?
Well, after doing a recovery workout, in a little house, and with hope, because the good begins.
– What is breathed in the dressing room of the Real the week of the return of soccer?
Nerves and tension are not in our wardrobe. I think that at all times it has been shown that we are an ambitious team and we really want this to start and demonstrate on the field that we can continue with the level given so far. I think the word that defines our wardrobe is desire.
-How have the sessions been at the Reale Arena with the stands empty?
The feeling at all times is very rare, going out on such a large field and not finding anyone, any fan, anyone who supports you, it is all very rare. We must comply with what is asked of us, but it is sad, because without them we are nothing, because they are participants in everything we are doing so far and they deserve that they can live more victories in our field and that is what we want to seek.
-How do you feel it will harm you to play without your fans?
It is all very strange. But on the one hand we are going to be able to listen to ourselves better, because with the noise that usually occurs in Anoeta we do not listen to each other, and perhaps on that part we will have to look at the good part, that we can all support and correct ourselves. But it does not compensate, because it will be very rare, and we really want normality to return a little and for people to be able to enter the stadium so that they can continue cheering in such a special year as this.
– These eleven days are going to have little to do with what has been seen so far?
I don't know if that much. But it is true that it will be very demanding, because it is something that has not been seen like this, eleven games in just one month. But what has been seen, after two months at home, returning to train with the phases that have marked us, we can rest easy. I see all the players who train these days who are committed and eager for this to begin, aware that there may be two or three games per week, that we must be prepared for everything, and in that sense the five changes can come in handy Because everyone who brings freshness will be very positive. And from what I see in Zubieta, we must be very calm, because I see everyone very involved to speak in the field.
-And physically you feel well prepared or do you think it took more time to be in good condition?
I see everyone well prepared, aware that we are going to have to pull everyone. The workouts are being good and with a lot of rhythm. We have all done what they have asked us at home, and that has been the key for us to be this good this month of training, because I see the whole team well, but not only physically, also in the mood. And the coach will have a lot of work ahead of him, but you still don't play the first games, but I'm sure he will pull everyone, we are all going to be very necessary.
-The challenge is ambitious, because they are fourth now, for the Champions League?
You are right. I think that it makes us very angry that they cut us off at once and everything stopped when we were so good, with a very high level, but if there is something this team has, it is that it is very ambitious, and in that sense we want to demonstrate that everything What has been done so far is no accident, we want to speak in the field and of course we are going to want to achieve that goal. Although we are aware that there are many games in a short time and it will be tough. But we can achieve something very beautiful and we will go for it with everything.
-In front Osasuna, who arrives with casualties and with the unknown how they will arrive …
It is true, but any opponent who plays now will be just as difficult, because it is not known when he will be. They have casualties, but we don't look at that, because we only focus on that. We have to chisel the details of the coach, work with or without the ball what he asks us, and put him in contention in our field, that although there is no public, it will be positive to start at home that will give us more confidence for the following matches.
-He said during the confinement that if he did not stay, he would go to Madrid and bring Odegaard back by grabbing him by the ear, will that be necessary?
(Smiles) Well, let's see, I still maintain that if I have to go for him in Madrid, I will go. But I think he is also aware that his potential has been seen here, he is still young and this transfer has come in handy. Given the seen, he will have to decide, if he sees that he can have many minutes in Madrid and place, he still makes the decision to stay there. But many people are recommending that he stay another year. The locker room people tell him a lot, but not just the team, because he still stays here for more than a year, because it has been key in our game. He is a wonder as a person, he has been involved in the team, he gets along well with everyone, he listens at all times and does not pout. That attitude is an incredible thing.
-You get along very well with him and they talk a lot, so your opinion is worth a lot. What is your point of view today?
I really get along with everyone, but with Odegaard above all. Right now, seen what has been seen, with the great vibes it has with us, I would say that it is going to stay 100%, but it is not known because there are still many things ahead, but I really trust that we are going to have a one more year, and why not one more year, at Real Sociedad.