Luis Milla is very clear about Celta’s main threat: Iago Aspas. Granada accumulates four months without winning in Los Cármenes and this Sunday they receive the team from Vigo in the premiere of Aitor Karanka in their stadium. At a press conference, the Atletico midfielder analyzed the delicate situation of his team and was full of praise for the sky-blue ’10’: “We know how different Aspas is, how important it is for your team. He is one of the best players in the leagueHe has been proving it for a long time. But I prefer to focus on my team, on doing things well to be able to get the result”.
Karanka: “Little has changed, there has been no time. The Wanda saw an orderly team, which defended its goal very well. That is the basis to be able to get results and the points we need between now and the end of the season. It is an important week for us and we are trying to prepare it in the best possible way”.
Karanka’s differences with the other technicians: “There are differences, each one has their personality, their way of doing things. I would like to say that both Rubén Torrecilla and Robert Moreno and his coaching staff have done everything possible for Granada to do well. That is a reality, despite the fact that the results have not been good. Now we try to be more orderly, starting from a clean sheet and from there, grow. In the situation we are in, it is the only way to get out of it”.
Good feelings against Atlético: “The day in Seville was a similar match, we made a great effort. We defended well, we were very committed. Levante day was not like that. But against Sevilla we fit in a lot, we made mistakes that we can’t make, but that’s the line, how they competed in Sevilla and the commitment that there was, which was later transferred to the Wanda. That is the path to follow to get results.”
Celta: “A very good team is coming to Los Cármenes, with high-level players, who could fight to be higher in the standings. Although it seems that they are in no man’s land, they are sure to come wanting to play a good game and they are going to make it very difficult for us. We have to give our best version, which we have given away from home and at home we have not had because if not, it will be very difficult”.
Team mood: “It is a difficult situation for us because of the cushion we had and we have let go. Now we are there, the situation is screwed up, but with the desire, ambition and commitment of this squad we are going to fight until the end and we are going to have the opportunity to get it out”.
Four months without winning at home: “Perhaps the team feels more comfortable away from home, not having the initiative of the game and the obligation to go for the rivals because of what it means to play at home with our people, with the support they are giving us despite the fact that the results are not coming out. We have to change the chip at home, we haven’t gotten results that give us confidence and we have to start from the base of gaining confidence from a clean sheet and that the games don’t go so against each other from the beginning as in the last ones matches in Los Carmenes. It becomes difficult for us and then it becomes difficult for us”.
Many losses in defense: “We are aware of the situation that we have had many players with four cards for some time. It was clear that at some point it could happen, but we have people from the subsidiary who have been training with us for a long time. They are doing things very well and if they have to play, they will help us. Full trust in them. They are prepared to give a good version. The decision is up to the coach and to death with the idea and with whom we have to go out at that moment”.
Midfield changes: “We have had a lot of casualties in midfield. Eteki had an injury earlier in the season and Montoro has also had physical problems. Gonalons, Montoro and Eteki are very important for the team, they have shown it. The fact that they haven’t been able to participate is difficult to assimilate, but the squad is long, with a high level, and it’s no excuse for the situation we’re in”.
Hobby: “They haven’t let us down at any time despite the time we haven’t won at home. We continue to have receptions, they have continued to fill the stadium, they have pushed us, they came to Seville and we cannot ask for more. Simply, one last effort, which also depends on what we give them. That is the first step that we footballers have to take, to show that we want to move forward from this situation. By commitment and effort it will never be. The group is wonderful and will push to achieve the goal. From minute one on Sunday, give them so that in the middle of the game the fans do not have to say that the team is not going. We have to show that we want to go for the game and from then on, I’m sure they won’t fail”.
Squad state of mind: “It is a difficult situation for us because we come from having an important cushion of points that we have let slip away, that is the reality. From there, I believe in strength, ambition and the desire to improve despite the fact that things have gone wrong. We went through a difficult bump at the beginning and we got through it. We have to convince ourselves that we can beat any rival”.