Diego Martínez took advantage of the press conference prior to the Cup match against Barcelona to launch a message in defense of Messi after the leak of his millionaire contract: “Maximum respect for one of the best players in the world. Let's not wait for him to be with us to dedicate all the love and admiration for everything he has given us as an athlete. As a coach I have enjoyed watching him play so much and I have suffered so much when I have had to face him that from here our maximum respect and admiration; let's leave him alone”.
As for the game itself, the Granada coach regretted the problems he is having in the core and appealed to the faith of his players to seek a place in the semifinals. “In the center of the field, in terms of availability, we are in an extreme situation. But that's what there is. I don't know how far we are going to go, but I do have an extraordinary wardrobe. My players dignify the profession of footballer and while we have strength and players, we will compete to the maximum”, Explained the rojiblanco coach.
Diego Martínez also answered a good handful of questions:
Option to repeat in the semifinals: “Granada is among the eight best teams in the Copa del Rey, we are going to face one of the best in the world such as Barcelona. Last year in this same round we eliminated the current champion, which was Valencia. It is a source of pride and motivation for the players, for the coaching staff and for the Grenadines. We know of the difficulty. It is true that this year we are having many sticks in the wheels, but it is also true that if we had allowed ourselves to be seduced by adversity we would not even have been promoted to First. In these three years we have always had to face many difficulties, of all kinds. It is what we have, it is our reality, and we hold on to what has brought us here, which is the team, to compete together. I don't know how far we are going to go, but I do have an extraordinary wardrobe. The players I direct dignify the profession of footballer, show exemplary values and as long as we have strength and players, we will compete to the fullest ”.
Positive from Yangel Herrera: “The loss of Yangel along with those we already had in that position plus the wear and tear of the other day in a key position such as midfield, means that in terms of availability we are in a limit situation. But it is what there is, it is our reality, and we have to face it as we have always done, with energy, with positivism and to compete to the maximum from the possibilities we have ”.
The fans have faith: “We believe in ourselves, in the team. We have full confidence, despite the fact that we face one of the best in the world and that a few weeks ago he clearly beat us. But this is another game, it is a tie, it is the Copa del Rey. From belief and illusion we ascended from Second. Most of the players from tomorrow's starting eleven were playing in the Second Division two seasons ago, which fills me with pride and is going to be something that reflects in itself the success of this team ”.
Quina and Adrián Marín's assessment: “Welcome them, help them as much as possible so that they can adapt as soon as possible. To know them more in relation to what state they come from their preparation and hopefully with us they can reach their best version in professional football. We need them. We have very demanding weeks ahead of us, but with everyone's help and playing as a team, we will face them as we always have, with ambition, humility and belief ”.
Possible eleven: “Today we have the last training session, we will see what feelings we have. In certain positions there is little to choose from, but we will do what we have been doing regularly. We will choose those eleven players that we consider to be the most appropriate for the match, taking into account the rival and our feelings. All the players, whether or not they are at their best, will give their best tomorrow.
Rui Silva or Aarón ?: “Yes I am clear about who is going to play in goal, but I will continue with my usual habit of the players being the first to know.”
The support of the fans will be lacking: “It's a shame. One remembers the wonderful nights we spent last year with the fans in Los Cármenes, the drive and strength that our fans gave us. But remembering what we are not going to have leads us nowhere. We have to adapt, that they send us their energy from the houses. I can say that the affection that this hobby transmits to us, in victories and defeats, is extraordinary. I have never felt in such a constant way, regardless of the result, they always tell us the few times we meet on the street that they are proud of the team, that you cannot ask more of the team, that they identify with what they see each game regardless of the result. The only thing we want is to reciprocate by putting on this shirt and giving our best, as far as it goes “.
Winter market valuation: “Regarding the market, two more players who are here, who come to help us and who hopefully can adapt as quickly as possible to our dynamics. For me, the players on my team are the best in the world and from that mentality we will continue to row together to try to win games ”.
Gonalons and Milla injuries: “The recovery of the two of them is more special. I would like to have a fixed date, I don't have it and I can't give it. They are doing the impossible to be able to be with the team, but I think the next few weeks are going to be extremely difficult in the midfielder position to set up the team and as that one says, 'little virgin leave me as I am' and there will be no more setbacks ” .
Uncertainty in the administration of the club: “I feel privileged to be able to lead this group of people and players. The adversities have been many, they are still common, but the approach and the values and the cohesion with which the group faces each situation is worthy of praise. From there, I focus on green. I cannot think of hypotheses or circumstances that the newspapers say can be and are not, or in medium-term situations … They are hypotheses and as a coach I am not interested, all I want is for my team to be located in the green, in every training session, every game, which is what has led us to success as a club. That is what I want to keep nurturing. It was unthinkable to be at this point with 29 points and alive in all three competitions. The questions they asked me on Matchday 1 were focused on all those teams that had played in Europe and had relegated like Espanyol, Celta … Permanence has not been achieved, but the path we have taken here has exceeded expectations and is being very good . There are very demanding, extremely difficult weeks left, but we believe in what we do and we have to be focused on what has brought us here, which is green. Whether we are used to it or not, we like it more or less, that is the reality and that is the reality that as a coach I explain and try to get my players to assume ”.