Are you fully recovered from the injury suffered against Real Madrid?
I'm fine. Thank God, I had nothing serious and I was quiet for a few days. Now I am already one hundred percent training with the team and looking forward to playing again. Let's see if we can win again, which is very nice when you win.
I can imagine that losing is annoying. And more with two such hard goals …
Yes, neither the team nor I like to lose. They were two hard wins, that is the reality, and we have to try not to repeat it.
The anger at halftime against Villarreal had to be important.
We are getting to know the coach more and he does not like to lose, and less with that result, but the reality is what it is and we have to put our finger in the ass for the remainder of the season. If you are not at the level, any team can beat you.
What do you mean sticking your finger up your ass?
Nowadays football has changed and all teams are very physically prepared, so the jack to the water in the end is taken by the one who has a lot of goals up. If you run and compete like the other team and on top of that you have good forwards, you will win a lot of games. Now, if you have very good forwards, but the team doesn't run, you're going to lose. You have to compete with anyone, with a First or Second B. If you are not at the level, they beat you. Ibiza beat us and Atlético, Cornellà. When I was in Écija I tied the Madrid of Beckham, Reyes, Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy and company.
LaLiga Santander
* Data updated as of January 14, 2021
How do you explain this radical change from December to January?
In my opinion it is not a radical change, honestly. The dynamic is that in seven days you have lost three games, but I don't see a radical change. Since Coudet arrived, the team has been competing very well and there were even games that we were able to win with a superior result. Against Madrid the easy thing is for you to lose and the other day Villarreal beat us with three of our mistakes. I don't think it's a bad dynamic, a bad dynamic is when you haven't won for a month.
Don't you think the image in the last two games has been worse?
Yes, more against Villarreal than in Ibiza, because against Villarreal when you want to react you are 0-3. This is football, you have to break that streak and win again.
How is Coudet in the dressing room?
The coach is a guy with character, but he's a fucking uncle who can talk to him and even joke around, but when he has to scold you, he throws you off. And when you have to work, you work. You can be in good spirits and give a touch of laughter and joke, but when you have to work, you have to work and compete in training and then compete in games.
Is Europe a taboo word for you?
I honestly would not use the word Europe. There are Barcelona, Atlético, Real Madrid and Seville for the first four places. Then I'll give you Villarreal and Real Sociedad and there are already six. Then I'll put Granada on you. There are very good teams, but we'll see what happens. The year we got into Europe with Berizzo we didn't talk about it until the last ten games. We have to be realistic, we have been in a not very positive dynamic for two or three years. This is not the time to sell something that I don't think we are at the level right now.
Is it more difficult to win without Aspas?
Man, of course I do. I'm not going to be a hypocrite, we know what Iago Aspas is for Celta, I'm not going to tell you. But the circumstances are as they are, the poor man now has that small injury and whoever plays in his position will try to do his best.
Do you understand that it does not go with the Selection?
I believe that it will go with the Selection. If he continues like this, I have no doubt that he will end up going with the National Team, but it is true that Gerard is at a very good level. If it were up to me, I would wear it with my eyes closed and I think the coach, Luis Enrique, I think he will wear it too.
You have had very talented teammates, in what position would you put Aspas?
I put it on the podium. I have been lucky enough to play with the best footballers in the world, such as Messi, Iniesta, Silva, Agüero, Ramos, Busquets or Aspas, but because of how he is in the world of football and as a person too, I would put Iago in my starting eleven .
In addition, with you it is understood with the look.
Yes. I'll always tell you good things about Aspas. If he were Brazilian, he would be worth a hundred million euros and surely he would not be at Celta. For those of us who are dedicated to this, which we understand something, Iago Aspas is one of the best forwards in Europe. There are the numbers, which is like cotton, it does not deceive.
You are two footballers who grew up practicing this sport on the streets. Do you think that football is being lost?
Yes, street football is being lost and continues to be lost. The PlayStation, the Tablet and mobile phones are leaving today's children with a blow to the head. There are fewer and fewer people in the neighborhoods and on the tracks, people are not as aware as before, that everyone's game was football. I like to see street players.
You are a veteran player and have a contract until 2022, are you beginning to consider your future?
I do not know the truth. I think so many things when the time approaches. When I don't see myself to compete at the highest level, then I'll go. I'm not going to crawl through the fields. If I do not see myself with a level for First, I will go to Second and if not, to Third. And when I no longer see myself with level or to play in Third, then I will go home. I still see myself to endure a couple of years in First, but let's see who loves me.