Emi Buendía (12-25-96) returns today to the competition with Norwich. The Premier continues its course and The Argentine faces the last nine days with the aim of achieving permanence. The English team is currently the red lantern of the Premier but there is still time to complete the goal. Also, next week, another nice challenge will come: the FA Cup quarterfinals against United. The Argentinian serves AS to tell how he has lived the confinement and describe what is coming in the final stage of the English league and his dream of going with Argentina.
—How have you managed the confinement and how are you facing the return to competition?
—All this came suddenly, especially in Spain, which was faster than in England. He caught us in Norwich with my wife, my son, and my brother-in-law. I have been working from home with everything that was sent to us from the club and my physical trainer. I was lucky that the weather was good and I was able to take advantage of working in the home garden, or how little you could go out in the neighborhood for a walk.
“Do you feel like going back to the competition?”
-If the truth. It has been long and as the days went by and the date was postponed to return to training, to see the teammates again … the competition was even further away. It was a whole heap of anxiety about playing again. Luckily, more or less the issue of anxiety about playing again is over and I hope that the whole virus issue is resolved as quickly as possible.
—Norwich is the last in the Premier, but salvation is relatively close, just six points. How do you see the team facing the last days? Do you believe in salvation?
“We arrived very well.” We have prepared very well during the break. We are aware of the opportunity presented to us and we are very excited to fight for the most points we can and to achieve our goal.
—And you still have the FA Cup, you play the quarterfinals against Manchester United in a few days, how do you see the game?
—Before the break, the day we qualified at the Tottenham field we already had it clear. We go to every game with the same attitude that is to win. We are counting on playing the nine Premier matches and the three Cup matches. Hopefully this is the case. It would mean that we would have beaten United, the semifinal and that we would be in the final. That is the way in which we pose it and thus we will face the tie.
—Is this season's thorn on an individual level not yet able to see a door?
“Yes, you could say it like that.” I work to do my best and help the team in all aspects that I can. I try from my side to contribute, either with assists, which luckily I have been able to give several and then with work. With work the goal will come alone.
“Getafe I always consider it and I will consider it my home”
– How is your day to day in this new normal?
-Very calm. I train and when I return home I play with my family. A totally home life. From time to time we used to take a walk to the city center, but with all this, obviously out of home walks were ruled out. The truth is that I really enjoy my family and my son.
“Do fans respect you when you leave home?”
“That really caught my attention.” They are very respectful of the players when you go for a walk, or when you go out to eat with the family. If they recognize you, they greet you but they leave you your space and the truth is that that is appreciated. Being with the family and enjoying the time with them … it's nice. I am very grateful.
—Have you played in LaLiga and in the Premier, what football is best for your characteristics?
—They are different and particular. Each League has a style, but I think I can adapt to either one. I played in LaLiga with Getafe, now in the Premier with Norwich. The truth is that I feel very comfortable today in this football because of the speed at which it is played and the number of transitions there are. I like to keep the rhythm and control of the ball, I can contribute with my characteristics for the speed at which it is played in this football.
—He left the Getafe youth academy and since his debut played four seasons in the Azulón team, what do you remember of those years?
—Getafe always consider it and I will consider it my house. At the end of the day is where I trained as a player in the quarry, it is the club that gave me the opportunity to debut with the first team when I was very young, first in the Cup and then in LaLiga. It was a different stage of my life than the one I am living now, but I am very grateful for everything the club gave me. My first steps as a professional were there and the truth is that I enjoy seeing the triumphs they are having today.
– Getafe has not started as well as he expected on his return to competition, how do you see him facing the final stage? Do you think that entering the Champions League is a real possibility?
Yes, obviously it is very difficult due to the level of all the teams that are up there, but they showed before the break that they were in a spectacular way. The results were accompanying him and it is not by chance to be on top. It is true that they have not managed to win in the two games they have played after the return, but I think they played a good game and had their opportunities to win them.
“Messi is a player who makes a difference, in the Premier I stay with De Bruyne”
– Looking ahead, would you like to play in Spain again?
“It's also not something I stop to think about much.” I try to live in the present. I am very happy here in Norwich, who welcomed me in a spectacular way from the first moment and my family and I felt very comfortable here. I try to enjoy the day to day and what happens will come.
“You dare to forecast a LaLiga champion?”
“Everything is too tight.” Real Madrid and Barça returned very well from the break. This year I think it is the most competitive one. I can't get wet.
“In England, if you get wet with a champion, right?”
—Yes, it's clearer here. Liverpool have a considerable advantage. They had a spectacular season and it would be unfair if they were not champions.
—Going with the Absolute from Argentina, is it a real option?
“I see it as a real option.” It is a dream to talk about going with the team, especially for an Argentine player. I was lucky to be able to wear the shirt in a U-20 World Cup and the truth that thinking about doing it with the senior team … I would be very excited. It is something I work for every day. I have to do things well in my club so that later I can have that opportunity. I hope things go well for me both here at the club and personally to have that opportunity sooner rather than later.
– What do you consider to be the best player you have ever faced?
“It is clearly Messi.” When I faced him in both games with Getafe. He is a player who totally makes a difference; and from England, if I stay with one, it would be with De Bruyne. More or less for the similarity of the position in which we play and for the characteristics of game creation. I look at him a lot.
“What is your idol in soccer?”
“When I was little I had several.” Ronaldinho marked me a lot for his joy on the field, he enjoyed playing and how he excited the public with his game. Later, over the years, I grew up seeing Messi.
—A dream for the future.
-Keep growing. One always aspires to the highest, to the best teams in the world and internationally, to play with the Argentine team.