Diego Martínez: “Being among the eight best in the Europa League is something brutal”

Very worked match. “Congratulations to all the people of Granada. I think it is a historic day. Being among the top eight teams in the Europa League is brutal on the part of this team. These players deserve it. If we have shown something, it is that we adapt to all circumstances, to all situations and to get through a knockout round you have to do a lot of things well. We have made them. I think the team didn't deserve to lose at half-time. Honestly, at the start of the game we missed the goal. And when you don't, the other team has its options. Congratulations, congratulations, enjoy it because this is something unique, historical. Like Germán I feel very proud because, despite the circumstances we got to the game, we always got ahead ”.

Jesús Vallejo and his goal at home. “We are a team with capital letters. First of all, thank Vallejo. Possibly, he was not here to play, but he was the only available player that we had to be able to use in that position (right back). Unfortunately he had that unfortunate action against the goal, but overall he played a good game. In addition to that action, he also participated in our draw. The start of our game was very good and we only missed the goal. El Molde is a good team. The only analysis that exists is that we are in the next round and this is unique. Thanks to these players who allow us to continue dreaming and enjoy unforgettable moments ”.

Image of the end of the pineapple in the center of the field. “The really important thing about this team is not that, after achieving something unique and historic such as being in the quarterfinals, the team is forming a pineapple, what is really important about this team is that, when all adversities come upon them, when they are not trusted because the outside world gets nervous because, when they come from a defeat and doubts begin, they believe, trust, are generous with their teammates and believe in what the team does and always fight to the end. The true picture is facing every adversity with the mindset that they do. We have been doing it for three years now. And that has brutal merit. Enjoy it because there are players who, throughout their careers, do not live a moment like this. They have managed to live it and they make it live for all of us. I speak of all the people of Granada ”.

Any preferences for the giveaway? “No way. We are in the bass drum and whoever plays will be the one who has to play. This is not the time to think about the draw. This is to savor. Being in Malmoe (qualifying match) was already a success, regardless of the result, because they are 90 years old. If that was a success, imagine now that we are in quarters ”.

The hobby. “I stick with the phrase that our fan connects with us, he feels identified. We feel them from a distance, regardless of how the game took place ”.

The adversary. “El Molde plays open games, there is an exchange of blows, in those situations we lacked efficiency to certify before the tie, that we had deserved it. But it is good to understand those key moments that these qualifiers have. They are a very complex round of 16. Respecting values, whoever plays, beyond the stage, having that identity is already to thank the team. And those who stayed in Granada, Luis Suárez, Pepe Sánchez, ‘Fulqui’ (Foulquier) have helped us to be here. This belongs to everyone and I hope they recover soon because this does not stop ”.

Granada has the sympathy of Spain. “Hopefully that is the case, when a modest and humble team has been fighting very hard since the Second Division and is reaching these quotas, it is like a story that all football people value because it is not usually seen regularly and that identifies you. Hopefully we have added many people from Granada around the world, even if it sounds like a television program and more here in Budapest ”.