Trejo arrives for his appointment with AS wearing a huge smile. It is not for less, just a few hours before he had become a father again. The news of Leo’s arrival coincided with the celebration of the last promotion, in which the Argentine was the protagonist, closing the comeback. The one that dreams of repeating next Thursday in the Cup. This would close the circle. Just naming what that final would mean for the neighborhood makes him sigh, but first Rayo hosts Real Madrid. The Vallecano team is not going through its best moment, although his gaze invites optimism. There is hunger and confidence in the locker room. They do not wrinkle with the visit of the leader. Moreover, the captain dares to risk a Falcao goal against the whites and fantasizes about another of his own, but what really fills him with hope is that bridges are built between the board. For ‘el Chocota’ the bracelet is a responsibility and the Strip, a feeling that he will also instill in the newcomer Leo.
—Congratulations on the birth of your fourth child, Leo…
-Thanks. We are very happy. I found out about the pregnancy just before speaking at City Hall after the promotion. Imagine the emotion because we have been looking for it for a long time. The next day, we traveled to Argentina and nobody was expecting him there. It has been the finishing touch to an incredible year.
—Maybe he comes with a win under his arm to break the streak.
-If only. Within the bad we have 31 points, we have to keep looking forward and not take the focus off what we said at the beginning of the championship. When people looked higher we were cautious.
“What’s happening to them?”
—There were breaks for the national teams and, furthermore, we are not used to playing every three days. People thought of the Champions League and Europa League and now, due to the number of games in which we have not won, they think that we have reached the ceiling. On the contrary. We remain calm, there is an incredible atmosphere and we try to turn this difficulty into something positive.
Salvation seems on track…
—I have friends in several teams and they tell me: ‘I wish we were in your position.’ The last time in Primera we didn’t have the luck of being in the middle of the table. We must be aware of what it costs to get out of there when you are down. Right now the upper and lower parts are within range, so you have to handle it calmly.
—Is the leader the best rival to look for a turning point?
-Yes. It is a pleasure to play on our field, with our people. It gives you an added point. You feel the fans in each ball, it reinforces you in the good and alerts you in the bad, giving you clues as to how the game is going. It is appreciated and we ask please, on behalf of everyone, that the club give him facilities. We are going to empty and we have our weapons. We know our court best…
“Falcao is our emblem, he is confident and is going to score first”
—How can you beat Madrid?
-We have to be ourselves, pose an uncomfortable duel, put intensity and be in a low block to counteract him and be able to attack.
—Do you feel a tickle when you play against a big one?
—Yes, there is a plus of motivation because if your family from Argentina, Uruguay or Chile sees you in any match, imagine yourself against Madrid or Barça. They prepare the day to get together. It’s cute. Sport makes you reach so many places, so many people… It is something special that we must be aware of. We are privileged.
—Is Benzema the greatest danger of Ancelotti’s men?
—He stands out in all facets, even if they think he doesn’t defend. She always smells where the danger can come from and is well located. When he comes out of the pressure and stands in a position you say: ‘Ugh, what is he doing there?’ After five minutes, the ball comes to him and he gives you an assist on goal or creates a chance for you out of nowhere. He is the soul of the team. Everything revolves around him.
—And what happens to the Rayo strikers? Why is it taking so long to score?
—They are a reflection of the team, which wants but the results do not arrive. The punished They are goalkeepers and forwards. We have to be self-critical and analyze how we put the ball to them, the chances created… Every training session we reinforce that issue.
—Tell me about Falcao…
“He knows it’s super important to us. It’s the team emblem. He’s fine, confident, sure… I think this Saturday he’s going to end the drought and he’s going to score the first goal.
—You also know about important goals, which have led to promotions and a Cup semifinal.
—I’m not much of a mark, I always laugh at that. It’s nice to help the team and they are unforgettable moments, linked to my feeling for this club. If I score a goal against Madrid I’ll die… (laughs).
—Can you go back to Betis in the second leg?
—We know how difficult it is, but we have the advantage that nothing serves us anymore than winning. We are not afraid of anything. And that daring suits us…
—You are in great shape, do you have any hope of going to Argentina?
-I am aware of the difficulty because all the players who go are in the top tres of important teams from Europe or Central America. As long as my name is there, in the air, I am satisfied. If it were to happen, it would serve as an example for many kids who think: ‘Ugh, it’s going to be impossible to play in a humble team’. Sometimes the goals take time to arrive, but you should never lower your arms.
“Do you see yourself retiring in the Lightning?”
—I do, but it doesn’t depend on me, so… I feel at home here. I never hesitated to return when I had other better things. I do not look to the future, but to the present because that supposes a great wear.
—Has your last publication on networks led to progress in solving the reported problems?
-Yes. There may be a desire for things to change, but they must be accompanied by actions and facts so that people begin to believe that this can take a turn. The message was thought through because this club has tremendous potential. Not just the first team. No area should be neglected. I think things are going to change. The captains and the entire squad have that hope and we are making efforts so that this union between the people and us is accompanied by the board. I have faith that it can happen.
“El Rayo is my home. Here I enjoy the good and the bad, I suffer”
“Sends hope…
—We fight for the benefit of Lightning, which we always put first. We are passing through, but here there are people who are worth a lot and who have been working for many years. We have to value her and let her know that she is also important in this club.
“So many problems overwhelm you?”
—The good thing would be for the club to take care of all areas. We know the ups and downs that happen here and we must know how to live with them. We hope that this action arrives and people encourage, enjoy… because it is a very nice year. I hadn’t seen one like this. I hope it has a nice closure in every way.
—Míchel defined him as a silent leader, is he?
—Yes, now being a captain I go out to talk more. I don’t like it very much, it doesn’t fit my personality. I only take the step when I feel like I have to. Not to win points with anyone, but because I feel good here. I enjoy the good and the bad, I suffer.
“What is Lightning to you?”
-A lot. Arriving and greeting the security guard, the gardener… It is special because in other clubs that is lost, day to day, humanity and normality. The beautiful thing is to feel the affection of the people. When you’re on the court you think: ‘Look at how they shout, we have to go to death to this ball’. When you are tired, it gives you strength and many times you win thanks to that.
—Tell me about your project in Quijorna, Second Regional team.
—Several colleagues and friends (there are Getafe players too) have joined the club’s board this year. We attach importance to training and we want to implement the methodology that the emotional and the sporting must be linked. In football it is difficult to arrive and that does not mean that if you are not good for that, you are good for nothing. Frustration is worked on because we all know how to do something. We just have to look for what fills us.