García Pimienta: «If we compete in this way, we will always be closer to winning than not winning»

«Luckily or unfortunately we already know all the teams. Espanyol is strong, with a coach who knows what he wants from his players and they follow through with it. They do it very well. They are a powerful team in their stadium and most of the points have been achieved here,” he began by explaining. «If we didn’t match their intensity, we had no choice. We have been competitive, we have been winners of duels, we have known how to suffer, we have been successful in front of goal and, at times, we have given the necessary pause with the ball. “Very happy for it being the first victory away from home, in a very complicated stadium, and one that has to continue strengthening us,” he continued.

The coach also appreciated that his team did not concede a goal. «Everything depends on being solid defensively»he highlighted. «We have some high-level, quality players, but if we do not defend with the same intensity as the opponents, we will not have any option. If we compete in this way, I am sure that we will always be closer to winning than not.. Besides, we have an idea especially with the ball, of game control, with the constant threat of the wingers. I think they did well, especially Dodi. I am also happy for Stanis Idumbo’s game. We know that we are going to have chances, that we are going to arrive and that the quality of our top players is going to have their options. Today Dodi’s effectiveness has been very important, but everything depends on competing, on being solid at the back. From behind we build everything. I am happy because this is the path that shows us what we have to do. “If we compete like this, as I say, we will be closer to winning more often than not,” he said.

García Pimienta was also asked about the injury of Orjan Nylandwho had to be substituted shortly after the hour mark. The coach confirmed that the goalkeeper suffered an accident in the knee. «When he asked for the change I was a little scared because he is a boy who does not miss any training, who is always available. Looks like it could be the medial collateral ligament.but tomorrow we have to have an MRI to know exactly the extent of the injury. “We knock on wood and hope it’s nothing serious,” he commented.

Nyland’s injury led to the debut of Álvaro Fernández in the goal and Idumbo He also made his first appearance in the starting eleven. García Pimienta made the following assessment on these two aspects: «The greatness of this team is that everyone is prepared. I am fair to those who play and unfair to those who don’t. This is greatness. We have, unfortunately, important casualties like Suso, Saúl or Ejuke, which unfortunately is long-term, but we are never going to make excuses. We have people who are prepared. It is true that in the top position, as a winger, we are a little conditioned because we have few players, but we are not going to make any excuses. The team is prepared and, if we compete like this, people will perform. “I have no doubt.”

Finally, regarding the mood of the locker room he indicated the following: «The team is focused. We are realistic. We have an idea, a path that we are going to follow. If we compete in this way, we will be closer to achieving something important than not doing so. In the end, when you don’t play at one hundred percent, it is true that Barcelona is a team from another league, but I don’t think there is enough difference for them to score five goals against you. From the second on, we disappeared. When you play against a First Division team, at the level of Barça, they score five against you and you don’t even realize it. We have to be competitive, with our feet on the ground. The moment we go down a little bit, or think that we are going to achieve it simply because of the big shield we have on our chest, we are not going to do anything. Therefore, patience. Let’s enjoy this victory, which has cost us. You always suffer, football is so changeable… The option of a possible penalty, they could have made it 1-2, they give eleven in addition, they are in the game… Football is complicated, there are dynamics that change at every moment. Happy with the attitude of the boys and the fans, there were many people from Sevilla in the stands of the Espanyol stadium. “They have seen their team win firsthand and this victory also goes to them.”