Alavés begins the fourth week of competition, the first with two games, with a good taste in the mouth. Although he still does not know the victory, the point he scored against Getafe and the solidity he showed in that match reinforce his confidence. Further, Pablo Machin They are recovering troops, which is very good for a squad at this time that is too short, even with several players who do not enter into the coach's plans and with a lack of necessary elements to develop their 1-3-5-2.
Last Saturday, Manu, Lucas Perez Y Adrian Marin They have already entered the call. The first two had even minutes after recovering from their respective injuries. In the case of the captain, it ends a summer marked by difficulties in recovering from his foot injury.
The Gasteiztarra played his last match on July 19, at the close of the previous league. That day he started and played 57 minutes in the hurtful 0-5 against F.C. Barcelona. Now, more than two months later, he's back on the pitch in an official match.
Against Getafe, he entered in the 80th minute for Rodrigo Battaglia and was added to the short list of troops of Pablo Machin in the center of the field. “I'm better and it took me more than expected to recover from the foot injury, so now I'm ready to help and add what I can,” he said in statements to Movistar + at the end of the meeting. Gone is a summer in which he had to undergo injections to overcome a bone edema in his foot that has given him more problems than anticipated.
Greater robustness
The Gasteiztarra, like his teammates, positively valued the point added in a duel in which, for the first time since the arrival of Pablo Machin, they managed to keep a clean sheet, a very important step for a squad that needs to regain its defensive strength. Despite this, the captain demands greater efficiency behind. “We had a good match, with some defense on our part. We go without fitting in, but it has been a game with many occasions, “he warned.
Despite the logical need for improvement at this point, he was satisfied. “We started with our first point after two games in which we had to add, so we have to continue along these lines and progress,” he said.
With his return, and awaiting the recovery of Thomas Pina, who has already started exercising on the grass, at least Pablo Machin you can now introduce relays in the wide zone, where Pere Pons Y Rodrigo Battaglia they were the only two first-team midfielders available in Granada.
Settle down
Villarreal, this Wednesday (7:00 pm), and Athletic, on Sunday (2:00 pm) are going to be two very demanding rivals before the national team break arrives. Alavés faces a very complicated schedule at this start, with a squad still to be completed and a new coach. All this makes this start more difficult. “Adding is always good, because when you don't score in these first days there is always more nervousness than it should be,” he warns.
Remember, in addition, that the transfer window remains open until next Monday, so modest clubs like Alavés always have to be aware that a powerful rival notices one of their key men. “The market continues open and this also conditions, so let's see if these dates pass and we grow as a team,” he said.
His wish for this season is not to pass the hardships at the end of last year, when his squad was seriously threatened by relegation. “Points are worth the same now as in matchday 38, but we have to try to achieve the goal as soon as possible to try not to suffer like last year ”, he claimed.
His return to the pitch is always welcome news for his descent both on and off the pitch. “He is one of those that transmits the spirit of El Glorious”, he recently recalled Pablo Machin. Although a newcomer, the Soriano is aware of the guarantee of having a captain like Manu.