Elche coach Francisco Rodriguez acknowledged Real Sociedad’s superiority in the first half, but said his team’s mistakes would result in two goals conceded by Franjiverde. He also showed confidence in the team’s ability to move the situation forward: “Three weeks ago everything was not done, now we are not screwed.”
“Real Sociedad was very good in the first half and we were not strong. This makes you very angry against these teams. The second half was different with lateral approaches and crosses, placing the opposing team in their own zone with five defenders”, commented Francisco. “These are the mistakes that doom us and that we cannot afford. Three painful defeats in a row,” he added.
The man from Almería was upset that his team was unable to maintain the early advantage gained. “Silva, Rafinha, Merino, two points… They got us off balance. The first goal comes from a mistake we couldn’t make in the beginning. “We didn’t intend to be behind 1-0 but Real is a team that puts you in your own zone because they have a very strong level.”
Regarding Guido Carrillo’s injury, the coach showed some optimism and stated that the player told him that he did not feel any hole in his calf. “At times like these come sanctions and injuries but those are no excuses. You have to face it, be brave and compete to win,” said the Frangiverde coach. We are 4 points away from relegation. “We know what’s going on and we need to welcome the week with enthusiasm.”
Francisco didn’t want to excuse himself in the arbitration action to justify the closet-zero drop for his team against Real Sociedad. “We will not blame arbitration performance for defeat. “I’m just worried about my team if VAR doesn’t intervene.” “We play a lot, thinking that they will give us something. We must seek it in ourselves with sacrifice and work. Although we were not successful, I liked the team in the second half. You have to believe these players. We will count on them to get the missing seven or eight points for persistence,” he admitted.
Finally, the coach of the franciverde team reiterated his confidence in the group to achieve its goal of permanence. “The team’s day is good day by day. They work well, I think, just like the first day I arrived. Aren’t we fluent? There’s tension at this point in the season, but I still totally trust them.”