The Granada coach, Aitor Karanka, lamented the 2-0 defeat against Betis, which forced them to win at home against Espanyol on Sunday to stay in LaLiga Santander without depending on other results, but stated that “you have to trust some players who give everything, and what better way to do it in front” of their “people certifying their permanence”.
“People do not go home satisfied with the qualifying situation -one point from the relegation zone-, but with the image of this team,” Karanka said at a press conference, who considered it “important” that Granada depends of himself to save himself on this last day.
He recalled that, when several weeks ago he arrived with his technical team on the rojiblanco bench, “the team was physically and psychologically sunk, and with a ballast of cards that had to be handled”, and added about that last decisive match that “the best” is that they have “a week to prepare it as best as possible, without cards”, and that they will play “salvation at home”.
The Basque coach said that he saw Granada “well” at the Benito Villamarín, “with the logical tension of the match”, although he stressed that, despite the defeat, they had “chances” and that he is left “with the team not having surrendered”.
“The players have given everything, and that is the important thing. We are better than a month ago. A month ago the team did not compete and now it conveys confidence. It is important for everyone to be there and I hope we can count on (Venezuelan Darwin) Machís; It is a medical issue more than a sports one. It is a game to take risks, “he said.
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