Garitano: “I'm happy with the response against this Espanyol”

Asier Garitano, coach of the Leganes, positively valued the deployment of his team against Espanyol in Cornellá after losing 2-1 in a duel in which “we have responded against an opponent who generates little in their field and more when you find a goal at 30 seconds … what do you say … damn … you're 1-0 … but we reacted well”, He has described.

Despite this positive image, Bergara's team has also repeated that his team needs to improve “especially in team aspects” and has not wanted to take the promotion play-off for granted and guaranteed. “The eight points we have with respect to the seventh, neither reassures nor overwhelms me. We are not yet in the play-off and it will be difficult “, has insisted before giving Espanyol and Mallorca as the clear candidates for promotion through the direct route.

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How do you plan a match after a goal in the second 30?

We came to a stadium against a rival who came from being very solvent at home. We wanted to play in their field, attack them as much as we could. We knew that with his talent we would generate ourselves. The difference was the damage we did to them. We found ourselves with a great goal at 30 ''. The reaction has been good. The pity is that we had a quick action from Arnáiz that would have gotten us into the game quickly. The first part has been with many occasions. Above all, Espanyol. They have had too. I am happy with how the team has responded against this rival and on this field. But we leave with a defeat. That hurts. We will have to improve situations between now and the end of the season to be in the play-off.

Did they tell you something if the 2-1 goal was offside?

I haven't seen it. Comments can be of all kinds. The referees have to do their job.

When you say improve, are you referring to individual mistakes?

More generally as a team. Because the first play is a long ball that we have an advantage. In the end it gets complicated. Asier clears to midfield. But Sergi's goal is very good. A bounce ball soon … it's a great goal … there you say … fuck … you're already losing 1-0. But the team has reacted. We have had occasions. They too. They had the penalty for 2-0. In the last matches Espanyol have not generated so much. In the second part everything was more even. From 2-1 it has cost us. We have had occasions. Juan Muñoz's shot at the post. Details that sometimes go against you. In a game we will have to improve some things. To this day, we have generated a lot for the best Second Division team. We also do many things well.

Is it a distance that reassures the eight points with respect to the seventh?

It neither calms me down, nor does it overwhelm me. It is what it is. We are in that position. We know that each season finale will be tough. They all play a lot, we already see it. We will continue in our line of being more regular. First we will try the play-off and then to see if we are capable of that option.

Who do you think will be promoted directly to First?

After the defeat of Almería today, we see Espanyol and Mallorca that fail little. They have had their moments, a week or two without results. They have been sober teams. With eight days left to get three-four games is a lot. The normal thing is that

And now what is the message?

We will insist on keep improving. We do not have the play-off. We have to be confident. Although we have not gotten the result, the team I think has competed well in those difficult games. We will also take out the negative things to improve.