“I was amused when I read that they called me Verdunbauer”

Gonzalo Verdú (Cartagena, 1988) is one of the revelations of the season in Primera. The central of Elche is one of the survivors of the club's stage in Second Division B and it seems that he has been playing in the highest category all his life. He is going through the best moment of his career. Furthermore, he admits that Jorge Almiron has hit the key and reveals that the Argentine coach still has a lot to offer at Elche. The captain franjiverde is sincere in AS about his state of form, Almirón, the future of Elche …

Premiere in a big way in the First Division. Ten complete games and a pillar in defense. How do you live it?

It is the reward for many years of work with enthusiasm and desire. I'm feeling comfortable and with the confidence of the coach. Everything is coming out to order. Collectively, too. We are competing perfectly despite the little time we had to prepare. The room for improvement in this Elche is still very large. Attitude, commitment and competitiveness will be essential to achieve the goal of permanence.

Elche is one of the revelations for its good start, despite not having made a good preparation. Is the myth of the preseason falling?

You have to adapt to each situation. We started at forced marches because when the competition started, other teams had been filming for a long time. It is working very well on a day-to-day basis. We have made an effort without looking for excuses with the intention of preparing thoroughly. Now we are having more time to improve physically and tactically.

The preseason in football, unlike other sports, is justified because the player disconnects more than in other disciplines. Do you share it? Do you think it can take its toll at the end of the season?

Maybe that was before. It does not have to harm. We have a tremendous coaching staff that takes care of every detail. There is someone injured, but nothing out of the ordinary. They are the typical soccer problems. We didn't even have time to lose shape. The season ended and we disconnected, although we were all eager to return and face the challenge of Primera. There was plenty of time to recover from calendar overload and hassles, if any.

What is Almirón like?

He is a very close guy and a great coach. He has great football ideas. We have only seen 10% of what it really is so I have been able to talk to him. You are personally offering me your confidence. His way of understanding football suits me very well.

And what is that way of seeing football?

He is a coach who is very aware of the offensive game. From the first day he showed what he wanted. He always tries to play from behind, although sometimes it seems that we are risking too much. He wants us to be brave because he trusts what he does. With this style he has had success in most of the teams he has been in, being champion in many clubs. His numbers support him.

However, Elche stands out more for its defensive strength than for its arrival …

Villarreal is a team that gives you little. He's very good at surveillance. When we came out of the first pressure line, which is the most complicated, we lost easy balls after having risked behind. Without the ball, the wear is higher and that makes you less fine. When we arrive, we do it with guarantees and with good occasions.

Speaking of wear and tear and freshness, there is debate about the few substitutions that Almirón makes during games. What do you think?

Changes are making every week. We have ten games and we still have not repeated the alignment. That means that everyone must be plugged in. During the match you must decide whether to look for a revulsive or hold with what you have, if you are playing well. Almirón is here to make your decisions. I don't think anyone will disconnect because at any moment you can play.

As captain, what do you think of the situation Nino is experiencing?

I know him very well from years ago. It should not be easy for Nino, even though he is 40 years old, because he is a winner and wants to enjoy his Elche in Primera. It is not being a good year for him because he would surely love to have more minutes, like all players, but Nino is important whether he is on or off the field.

Personally, they call him Kaiser, Commander, Captain… What nickname does he stay with?

I like to be called by my name: Gonzalo. The nicknames I leave to the people. Of course, I was very amused when I read that they called me Verdunbauer.

His best moment comes to the 32 years. Did you expect to live it like this?

At this level and as it is being, the truth is that no. You always think and imagine situations, without losing hope. I've dreamed of getting to First Division for a long time. Most of my years in the elite have been with Second B teams and it is difficult for someone to give you a chance. Therefore, the easiest way was to move up with your team, as it has been. Signing for Elche, after releasing to Second B, was risky because there was pressure to go up immediately. However, I have enjoyed all the categories with Elche and now we have the well-deserved award of being in the First Division. And let it last a long time.

There are six Argentine teammates in the dressing room, the coaching staff, the property … How do they get along?

Normally. I have been in other teams, even in Second B, with more nationalities than in Elche. Here we are for the same, we are all professionals. There are no sides, we are well connected. The group is tremendous, very noble. The locker room environment is missed due to the covid situation, but everything will return to normal.

And what about Bragarnik?

This season we have been able to meet him a couple of times. The previous campaign we did it less because the pandemic in Argentina caught him, but we had several telematic meetings. In person he earns a lot and the relationship is very good. We notice him as someone close who takes care of all the details, a big club sign.

Now that you're out, do you have that contact?

I was able to talk to him when the Maradona thing happened. The channel with him is close because he is very aware that we do not lack anything.

What game do you expect against Granada?

They will have little time to prepare for this match because they have the Europa League. They come from having a spectacular season and have a compensated squad and a coach who works very well for the team. They have enough players to face the two competitions with guarantees. We must be vigilant.

Even more so with Molina …

He is a very difficult striker to score. He moves wonderfully throughout the field and especially in the area.

Will Elche keep the style it showed against Villarreal?

The best is the variety of systems, keeping the essence. The wealth of this template is versatility. Fidel did very well as a midfielder, as before he shone on the wing, as a lane or as a winger. That gives the coach many alternatives. We feel comfortable with a pivot and two steering wheels (Fidel and Raúl Guti).

What does it feel like a professional who opens in First with all the empty stadiums?

It's complicated. As time goes by, you get used to it. We already have many games in a row without an audience, but it is very sad. We are looking forward to people coming in, even little by little. That football with the full stands seems to be a long way off. Let's see if for next year the flow of people begins to enter to enjoy the First.

And if not, let it be the following season, a good sign would be …

Yes, Álvaro Cervera already said it: it is our 100% responsibility to enjoy another year in the highest category.

And what will the future hold for Elche?

The most important thing is to settle in First. It is the foundation of any future challenge. It is very important to save the category and for the club to continue growing because things are being done very well. Next season we could aspire to something more. I personally am enjoying it very much.

There is talk of the surprise of Verdú or Badía, but which player has won him in the dressing room?

I have a special soft spot for Jony Álamo. It has tremendous conditions as the previous season demonstrated. He is very young, but he will be very important in the Elche of the future. It has everything to succeed. The new colleagues are extraordinary. I was surprised by the irruption of Tete Morente. I had faced him, but now I see him as a more complete footballer, giving the level in First with goals and assists. His projection is tremendous for the age he is (24 years old).

Finally, do you foresee a placid stay at the end of the season?

The League is going to maintain the trend with which it started. Everything is very tight and it is one of the most even competitions in the world. So it will be until the end. We must focus on competing as before. This good work will give us many points to achieve the goal of saving ourselves.