Calleja: “We cannot be predictable, we must give importance to the ball”

First press conference of the new Alavés coach, Javier Calleja, after the presentation. It took place minutes after the club announced the departure of the subsidiary's technician, Raúl Llona, although the entity has offered him the possibility of remaining linked to the quarry. Óscar Garro, head of the Albiazul Academy, takes over the reins together with Carlos Antoñán. This is the third tenant this season after Iñaki Alonso and Llona himself.

Regarding the situation of the staff, he said that “except for Ely and Pellistri I will be able to count on everyone. To my pleasant surprise I found a very calm environment, with players involved. It is a team that assimilates what you say quickly and that commitment is important. It comes from a negative dynamic and you have to change your mentality. We do it through work, talking to them. If before you were convinced that the goal could be achieved, now after a few days, much more“.

On his style of play and the systems he can use, he commented that “I will adapt to his characteristics just like they have to assume the ideas that we want to convey to them. We have been working here for four days but I think they have been very productive. The team believes, there is a very good predisposition and I am very happy with the training we are doing. They have to play loose, not worry so much about failures. You have to know how to reactivate yourself and what you can't stay is stopped when you lose a ball or have a mistake “.

Calleja knows that you have to change the style of a group with a very defined game. “We know that here is a football idea and a way of working and the time we have is what it is. We will come out of this experience more prepared and the players also if we think that, little by little, our idea of ​​the game can be transferred to them. I'm optimistic and I think we can get it out, “he observed.

Regarding the rival, he pointed out that “whatever Athletic does, Athletic will do and what we have to focus on is our work. They are a magnificent team that is going to play two Cup finals in a row and that is not by chance. Even if they have casualties, those who replace them will give a great performance. Marcelino has done many rotations when he had matches in the Copa del Rey or two matches a week. “

The trainer continued speaking. “I want a winning, competitive team. I don't want you to speculate, from the first minute. That he has a soul, resources when he carries the ball. You have to give importance to the ball. There are possibilities to play from behind as well as long balls. We cannot be predictable, we have to have variety. The zonal defense is going to be important but the key is to have weight in the games, we know that the rivals are not going to give us anything and what we have to achieve we must win, “he commented.

Predictably, the topic of Lucas Perez. “I see you so involved as the most. I've been talking to him and I count on Lucas as with the rest of the players. Regarding the call or the possible eleven, the first who have to find out are always the players but this, with the casualties, is easy to do. At a logistical level, in the remainder of the season, we will see how we are doing things, that we have just arrived at the end of the day, “he concluded.