It seems like it was yesterday and he already has 50 games with Málaga, 48 in the League and two in the Cup..
Everything has been very fast because, after all, it has only been a year or so. In the end the circumstances arose, in the year of COVID-19, for him to play nine games in the category. Last year the coach (Sergio Pellicer) gave me confidence and continuity.
Has your life changed?
Not generally. I keep doing the same thing every day. Once you enter the professional dynamics, you have to take care of yourself and work more in order to continue improving. But in general my life is the same. I keep hanging out with the same people. I'm the same person.
Come on, the turkey has not gone to his head.
Noooo! (Laughs). In this regard, my parents have always taught me that one has to be very humble and never forget where you come from.
Do you remember the day of your debut?
January 14, 2020. Lots of people at La Rosaleda and a 1-0 victory against Ponferradina. It was the dream debut. And also that of Sergio Pellicer. That day we trained in the morning and he was chatting with Benkhemassa, Boulahroud and me because he did not know if he was going to put Luis Muñoz in center and one of them in midfield or put me in center and Luis Muñoz in center. He told us to be ready. In the end he was able to me and he told me to be calm and to do it as usual.
His only game with an audience at La Rosaleda.
It's a shame that I was only able to enjoy the fans in my debut match. This year we will be able to enjoy the affection of the fans, we have missed them a lot and in my case I am looking forward to it. With the subject of vaccines, the light is seen at the end of the tunnel.
What Malaga will we see?
It is going to be a very intense Málaga, who likes to put a lot of pressure on the rival when the ball is out, who will try and steal from the front zone. And with the ball, play in the opposite field and get as many chances as possible. That is going to be the team outline. Pressure, pressure on the rival, pressure after loss, trying to steal in the front zone and play in the front zone. to take few risks and try to do many chances.
Tell us about your origins.
I started at Seneca, a very prestigious quarry team in Córdoba. It was four or five years. I started as a child in soccer-7. It progressed to the year of cadet. I went to the Andalusian team and from there to Malaga. This is my eighth year. Casanova and Arnau were the ones who convinced me to come.
Manel Casanova …
He had a special gift for talking to young people in a special way to make us feel special. That always likes. From the first moment that I spoke with them and I was seeing the facilities of Málaga, the stadium and everything, I chose this club in an easy way.
Too bad they both passed away.
It is a pity. It was the two people who bet on me. They are things that happen in life.
Theirs with La Rosaleda was like a crush.
I was 13 or 14 years old. They told me to come to La Rosaleda and I did it with my parents and my representative. I saw the field from below, the press conference. And for me it was like a crush. When I saw that, my eyes went wide. Malaga was the last field I saw. Before I went to see the fields of Sevilla and Betis. If it is true that everything about Malaga convinced me more because of the way they spoke to me and received me. I liked Malaga a lot more.
Always central?
I have ever been able to play as a defensive pivot. When I was little I played there a lot more. I have also played as a winger … where necessary.
We have also discovered that he is not bad at scoring goals.
I've even figured it out! The previous years he had not scored many goals. And this one went well.
Is he one of those who keep his debut shirt or the boots of the first goal he scored?
The first shirt I changed with a professional player was with Mario Suárez, in the Rayo field. I asked for it. He is a footballer with a lot of experience.
Who is the striker that has cost you the most to score?
Difficult question … the answer is typical. Stuano and Raúl De Tomás are the strikers who have given me the most problems. They have a lot of quality, you can't give them spaces and at any moment they mess it up.
Your favorite centrals?
Sergio Ramos, Varane, Piqué, Van Dick. This year I also liked, now that Chelsea is in fashion, Rudiger because of the way he plays.
Do you consider yourself a forceful center-back or are you more in favor of getting the ball played from behind?
A bit of both. I like to get the ball out, but when necessary, I also clear. It depends on the game and the rival or the way we face the game.
The quarry, to power.
In recent years many players have been coming out of the quarry and they are all seen with great enthusiasm and enthusiasm. In general, the kids have a lot of quality. I really like Haitam's way of playing. It is very electric and has very good dribbling.
Do you think that this Malaga after some difficult years is reaching the end of the tunnel?
It looks like it is. Things are being done very well from the board. These past years have been tough. But little by little the objectives are being achieved and the club is on a very good path.
Did the team dream of a promotion playoff with eight games to go?
We all think so. And more the players after a difficult year. Why not dream of something else? We had a lot of desire and ambition to be able to fight for something so beautiful. But the results did not come out although the team did an incredible job.
Last year was a small miracle with only 18 professional chips and injuries.
Everyone's work was immense and overcoming adversities in terms of chips, injuries, COVID … everyone ended up very happy with the campaign.
Important is the figure of the judicial administrator.
They are all doing a wonderful job. We are a bit on the sidelines of extra-sports issues. But seeing people as well as working from outside, it is a relief for us because in the end we know that the club is in good hands.
Is Manolo Gaspar the Monchi de La Rosaleda?
He's doing a great job on his plot. We are delighted with it. And we know that any signing is going to be good. We will welcome you with open arms so that you can add as much as possible.
Have you heard siren songs from other teams?
I take it easy. I have a contract with Malaga for two more years (until 2023) and I am very happy here. I want to continue here improving and adding games.
If it were up to you, would you stay longer?
Right now I am very comfortable and everything would be to talk about it. I am focused on Malaga, I want to enjoy this year, play as many games as possible and for the team to perform as well as possible because if the team does well, the players will also do well.
At the moment, four signings: Javi Jiménez, Paulino, Ismael and Brandon.
A team is being formed with young people with a lot of desire and ambition. A good group will be formed and the team is sure to work well and we will all go to one that in the end is the most important thing. Individual talent can serve, but the group is that the results will improve.
What can you tell us about each of them?
Good players. I played last year against Paulino and Javi Jiménez They look very good and have come with a lot of enthusiasm. They are going to help the team and we have welcomed them with open arms.
How is José Alberto?
I really like the way you work. He likes that the workouts are very intense that in the end that helps a lot when it comes to performing more and I will demand the most because that is how it improves. In terms of intensity and pressing up is similar to Pellicer. They like intensity, pressure, being ambitious, hunger… in this regard I am very happy because, to improve, you have to push yourself to the max.
If it were up to you, would you have liked to have convinced Yanis to stay another year?
He is a player who contributed a lot to us last year and he is also a magnificent person. The more players we have of that profile with a lot of desire and ambition and who fit in well in the group, the better. To my delighted that you were here with us.
Who is the player on the squad with whom you laugh the most?
I think Escassi. He's one of the funniest on the team. He always has outlets for everything. When it arrives, it shows.
And the one who plays the music?
This year we haven't figured it out yet. Last year it was Josua Mejias. This year the DJ side of the team has not been discovered (laughs again).
Everyone speaks wonders of Pablo Chavarría.
As a player and a person. As a player he always gives everything. In any play he goes to the limit, He is a very great person, humble, very simple.
What do you do apart from soccer?
I am studying a higher degree in dietetics. And then I really like series, movies and I always try to have a book to read. From time to time I play play, but I don't like to abuse it because I feel like I've wasted my time playing. Also hanging out with my girlfriend.
Dietetics…
I chose it because it is always interesting to know what is good for my body and I can regulate a bit what I can eat and what not.
The last book you read?
I read The Picture of Dorian Gray (by Oscar Wilde). I finished it recently and I have started another one called ‘Tierra’ (by Eloy Moreno) which is new. I try to read a book a month.
Can Malaga aspire to something more than permanence?
It is still too early to be able to set a goal. If it is true that the team looks very good, things are calmer and a good team is being formed with good players. As they say, you have to go game by game. That is the goal we will set for ourselves. The most important thing is 50 points. And from there, to dream. Why not fight for something else?
They will be looking forward to that first league match against Mirandés.
We are all looking forward to starting at La Rosaleda and that people can be present with us. That encourages us a lot, it is good for us and we are going to enjoy it because, in my case, I have only been able to play one game with people. The return of the public for me is going to be news because it will be something new for me. I'm not used to playing with so many people in a stadium-
What do people say to you on the street when they see you?
With a mask you don't recognize people very well either (he jokes). Sometimes if I take a picture and people behave very well.