MADRID, 20 One. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The second coach of Elche, José Manuel Rodríguez Ortega, was “proud” of the game played by his players despite being eliminated against Real Madrid (1-2) in the quarterfinals of the Cup and stressed that they were “very close “to accomplish the feat.
“The players have to feel proud of the work they have done because we have been very close to eliminating an entire Real Madrid team. I think that due to imbalances caused by fatigue, the tie has gone. In the past, everything looks different, but for The physical aspect has been fundamental for me,” Ortega analyzed at a press conference.
“We have lacked that serenity after the expulsion of Marcelo. That has to serve as experience for the future but that blur cannot be imposed on the work of the players during the 120 minutes”, stressed the second coach of the Elche, who appeared before the media for the loss of Francisco, who is still confined by coronavirus.
In addition, Ortega admitted that they were “afraid” at the end of the game that “someone could be expelled” in the protests after the local goal was annulled. “The referee told me that it was offside. We can no longer enter into any of this, whether it was a foul or not, we can no longer do anything,” he added.
“We are very happy with the work that the players are doing, not only in the competition, but on a day-to-day basis. A feeling of unity has been achieved and this is reflected in different actions and nobody goes individually. It is our aspiration, achieving salvation and everything stems from humility, work and solidarity, something that the players have been doing since the first minute we arrived”, he pointed out.
Insisted by the missed opportunity, Ortega said that “the anger lasts two days when you feel harmed.” “But I think we have to be optimistic because at the end of the season everything will balance out and there will be decisions that fall on our side. We can’t do anything about this, just keep working.”
Finally, the second coach of Elche thanked the support received this Thursday at the Martínez Valero. “I want to thank the fans because we have noticed their drive at all times,” he concluded.