Francisco Portillo, Malaga midfielder from Getafe, declared this Tuesday that the first match against Granada will be “difficult” as it is a “good rival” and assured that in this final stretch of the season “Without an audience, the factor of playing at home practically disappears.”
Getafe trained this Tuesday for the first time at the Alfonso Pérez Coliseum 84 days after doing it for the last time on March 10.
“It is always exciting to re-train all together. It is what we need. It was a difficult situation for everyone in which the most difficult has been the physical. Being in the green is what gives you the spark and it has also been difficult to keep distance, “he said Gate, in statements released by the club.
For the Malaga footballer, another important aspect in this final stretch of the championship will be the “mental component”.
“It is a new situation for everyone. The stadiums will be empty and we will have to adapt quickly because the space of time is short and there is no time, “he said.
Getafe's first match will be in Los Cármenes, against Granada, on Friday June 12.
“I expect a difficult, hard, complicated game. Granada is a team that has been doing things well and as a rival he is similar to us “, he pointed out Portillo, who recognized the “importance of starting to win”.
Playing without an audience could affect the performance of footballers, who are also not used to competing in Spain in months such as June and July.
“All the questions do not have many answers. It is an unknown for everyone and time will tell. We have to be as prepared possible by the time it restarts but it is clear that it will be different from what we had seen, “he confessed.
“In Germany we see bulky results, there is less rhythm of competition for the heat and we have to be prepared to give one hundred percent. Without an audience, the house factor practically disappears and the stronger team will get good things“he concluded.
Listen here to the complete press conference by Francisco Portillo