Iraola: “Our game is according to the classification, we must continue like this”

Match loading: “Physically I am not overly concerned. The team is fine. We have already shown in other weeks that we can carry this load of matches. The important thing was to go to the round in the Cup. We have practically had no time to prepare for the match, but I don’t think it will condition ”.

Analysis of Alavés and Joselu: “It is unquestionable. Joselu is differential, very important for them. Their reference players have them in both areas, which is where everything is defined. Pacheco has been demonstrating his high level under the sticks for some time, Laguardia is key at the defensive level, Joselu up, Rioja is spectacular and will surely be a threat … In the areas they have very good footballers ”.

Claim of substitutes in Cup: “The point is that they make it difficult for me. There were good performances the other day, others not so good. Nor are we going to examine them just for that game. They squeeze when they have the opportunity and it’s up to me to decide. We will always try to make the best decision ”.

State of Falcao, is it coming ?: “I can not tell you. There is still one day left. We come from practically not training after the Cup, we will see what feelings he has today in order to be able to enter the call ”.

Preparing for this match with little time: “It involves a lot more work and less time to transmit the message to the players, the characteristics of each game. The preparation is done mainly through videos, but hopefully we continue like this, with the League and the Cup and playing Sunday-Wednesday. Footballers like it and it is the basis of football ”.

Does it make you dizzy to think of falling in Vallecas?: “Sure it will be cut, but hopefully it will be as late as possible. We have more problems to win abroad and that makes you feel more obligated at home. The team is being competitive. The other day at Villarreal I liked the team, regardless of the result. We must continue in that line. If we play that game, things will surely fall in our favor. “

A victory would mean reaching 30 points: “To win you have to work hard and do things very well. We are making a good start, playing very well … Our game is according to the classification. We have to try to maintain it and improve some aspects, which are there. If we continue like this, things will be fine. We are still far from achieving our goal, which is permanence and hopefully it will be as soon as possible ”.

Valuation of this 2021: “At the sporting level it is positive. You look back a year and we were in Second fighting for those playoff spots. Now we are in the First League, signing a good start to the League. The assessments are made at the end of the season, rather than the calendar year, but in 2021 things have gone very well ”.

Mirandés, special rival for sixteenths: “For me it is a very special match. It is not just playing against Mirandés, who already played us last year although without an audience, but doing it against him in the Copa del Rey, with what that means. I know how you live there. Not because I play against Rayo but because Miranda always believes. From a sporting point of view it is going to be a difficult game, but I am very happy to be able to greet many people with whom I have friendship “.