Iraola: “Benzema and Vinicius are making the difference”

What are the keys to winning the derby?: “We have to do a lot of things well to beat a team like that and for things to happen in your favour, like the day Barça missed a penalty. But above all we have to compete better. We come from a game like the one in Elche, in The team played well, but didn’t compete well. In the end, we’re not making the most of playing well and that, against such a rival, you can’t afford it”.

Real Madrid or Betis, which match is more important?: “We can’t choose. We have to compete in the next game, as we have done so far, and we have trained with Madrid in mind. We know how difficult it is, but a game like this can put less pressure on you and make it clearer what you have to do. You have to be attentive ninety-odd minutes. You can’t make mistakes, especially when they lead to goals, which are the ones that penalized us the other day in Elche”.

Is it convenient for Rayo to be the protagonist?: “We can’t give up who we are because it’s not going to work out for us, but we do have to make adjustments. We went to play the Bernabéu match very one-on-one: with many alternatives, rhythm and we made a terrible physical effort. Tomorrow there will be scenarios in which we have to be in a lower block and not leave so much space behind because they are going to submit you too. You can’t choose what happens in the clashes and we have to manage it both when we have the ball and when we don’t.

Will there be rotations? “The ones we consider best for that date will play. I’m not so worried about Thursday’s Cup match because there’s a lot of time. Yes, maybe, even Cádiz. I don’t think this duel will condition the next two”.

Benzema or Vinicius, who is more decisive?: “Both of them are very decisive, they are making the difference, but you don’t have to focus only on them. The other day Asensio unleashed the game and, in the first round, Kroos came from behind and scored. He has great players, that’s why he’s the Real Madrid, the leader, the best visiting team…”.

The bad streak they are experiencing, is it more physical or mental?: A part of everything. The Cup takes away some of your physique, although I don’t think it’s the main reason. We are being less effective, especially in front of goal. We have to keep insisting and having offensive volume, follow the line of Martínez Valero so that efficiency returns”.

How is Falcao? His last goal was precisely against Madrid… “It is not a matter of a player or a striker. We are having clear chances and scoring less lately. Perhaps, in the first round, we scored more goals while generating less. We must compete better, which is what gives you the points. I don’t see The team played badly and the other day they marked us with a player out. We weren’t ready to cut. The other goal came after a foul in favor and they caught us in a counterattack. Those details are taking away from us”.