“That is present everywhere“ O “that tries to go quickly to the parts that require it“. Either of the two definitions of the RAE for “omnipresent” fits the role of Pilar García (Madrid, July 21, 1990) on the pitch. The Madrid midfielder has been a key player at Rayo since her return to the franjirrojo club in the 2017-18 season.
Because this, 2021-22, is Pilar García’s ninth campaign as a rayista. “It is a unique feeling to wear this shield and defend La Franja”, affirms to AS a soccer player who has been in Vallecas for two stages and who has more than 200 games with that shirt.
Of course, the figure is not surprising in a player who is key in the franjirrojo midfield, with more than 25 games played per season in the League — except in the battered 2020-21, canceled with the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’ve had a lot of good things here and I feel loved, that’s why I continue”, explains Pilar, who is now also the first captain of a Rayo who has lived another turbulent summer, with a complaint from the AFE to the ITS in the middle of the irregular situation in which the players were.
Of the difficulties faced by the Rayista women’s team (“we don’t have a physiotherapist”), its first victory in the league against Sevilla (1-0) and his next rival, the real Madrid (Saturday, 12:00, Teledeporte / Footters), speaks a Pilar García who does not escape a final baton …
Congratulations on that first win of the season against Sevilla (1-0). It cost eight days, are you excited?
Thanks. It was very exciting. Eight days without winning is pretty tough, especially for what we’ve been living through. In the end you work every week to try to get three points and you see that it does not come, that you work well and sometimes the teams punish you for specific errors. We are very happy and excited for that first victory.
“It was very exciting. Eight days without winning is tough”
Pilar García, captain of Rayo
This season salvation seems to be hotly contested. Do you see it difficult?
We know that it is difficult, every year the League has a higher level and it is complicated. The goal is permanence, but well last year with four descents it could be more complicated. We try to work to get the victory in each game and we have nothing in mind that that I do not want to name.
They lived a preseason with a complaint from AFE for the irregular situation they were living, recently a player of the team had to be treated by the rival’s doctor. Women’s football is increasingly professionalized, and is Rayo lagging behind?
I’m not going to say anything that wasn’t seen. We do not have a physiotherapist, we have the figure of the physical trainer who is also fisio, but he can’t do another. And yes, the Ray is behind, with respect to many things, we are at a disadvantage.
“We don’t have a physiotherapist (…) With regard to many things, we are at a disadvantage”
Pilar García, captain of Rayo
Precisely because of all these problems, it seems that this season there is more pessimism than usual and that Rayo usually appears every summer in the pools for relegation …
We are used to being in those pools, to everyone putting us on. Actually this year is that we have started like this … If we look at other seasons there have been moments where we did not win, but it seemed that we were in another position, what happens is that now from the beginning we have started losing. By not adding and seeing that the others do … But hey, I hope the streak changes. We are capable of everything. Rayo can beat anyone, except for a team that is practically in another league. I hope and I want to believe that yes, that Ray is saved. We will wage war this season as well.
He says anyone can be beaten. It is time to visit Real Madrid, who have not started very well in the league either, they have three points more than you. If possible?
Hopefully yes. We are working this week for it. We know the potential and the talented players that Real Madrid has, but we will try to go there to do our job, not to make mistakes, not to lose focus and we hope to achieve something there.
Have you analyzed any of your weaker points that you can take advantage of?
What we know is the moment in which they are. That they go there in the classification does not say that they will be weak. They are very good players and in three plays they can solve the game for you. You can’t trust it. That they are where they are is a surprise. We will have to play very well, be attentive to everything and work hard.
“The greatest danger for Real Madrid is Esther. She has just returned and has already scored two goals”
With all your experience in Primera and the knowledge of the rivals, what would you say is the biggest white danger?
Esther, has just returned and has scored two goals. He has the goal in mind and he can hurt you at any moment.
As for his figure, more than 200 games as a franjirroja, beautiful moments, adversities … what does Rayo have for summer after summer to decide to continue here?
It is a unique feeling to wear this shield and defend La Franja. Also, I say it and anyone who has passed through here can say it, the union that we have in the dressing room is had by few teams, the support of the people, the fans, the neighborhood … We feel that they love us. I’ve had a lot of good things here and I feel loved, that’s why I continue.
In social networks, even a joke has been seen with his omnipresence in the field … 11 Pilares García.
It was last season, they handed me the photo and it was hilarious. I feel the affection of this community of women’s football, yes, ”she says with a laugh.
“Wearing the bracelet is a lot of responsibility, great players have worn it at Rayo”
Pilar García, captain of Rayo
What does it mean to wear that first captain’s armband that you inherit after Cristina Auñón and Alicia Gómez?
It is a lot of responsibility, great players have taken it at Rayo. I face it with great enthusiasm and it excites me. I try to bring my work and my experience to younger people.
And he premiered it with the public. Have you noticed the return of the fans to the stands of the Sports City?
We did notice it a lot, although it is true that last season they also came to cheer us on the fence and we listened to them. But now we feel their heat much more, let them come, cheer us on, score a goal and can dedicate it to them is incredible.
In general terms, after fighting for a collective agreement, the League is now professionalized, but what is professional does not stop being delayed …
The League is really the same, what they say is professionalized is not true. In fact, we are worse off, fewer games are televised … We know that he has to be professional next season. We can not wait any longer. We meet to see what will happen and if we have to do something, we will have to do it. We cannot always be waiting for each other to agree … We are the ones who are harmed the most.
And finally, the truncheon. Both the female and male Rayo visit Real Madrid this Saturday.
We both won. We bring the points to Vallecas.