coach Elche CF, sebastian beccacece He offered the press conference before the game for the Elche team this Tuesday. Wednesday (22:00) against Celta at Balaídos stadium. The Argentine coach once again emphasized that his work is focused on the next season in the Second Division, that he understands the discomfort of the fans with the defeats in a row and that he is satisfied with the work he sees in the squad.
What explanations can you make for your first four defeats?
We’re here to order, evaluate and prepare everything for the coming season. To find out more and decide which players have a chance to move on, both those who have ended their relationship and those who have a contract. I understand the moment we’re in and people’s anger, but we’re focused on what’s to come. We want the most fans to win the match, but we know our reality. We knew our truth when we took over the team. We try to develop our faith, our emotionality every day and insist on taking steps forward. Strengthen these ties with the player to improve results. In my experience, I see what players like Mascarell, Clerc, John, Tete, Fidel, Helibelton, Bigas or Carmona do before they get injured and I like what they give. I observe everything, thinking about what will happen. I hope we win, that’s what we all want most, but it was great working as a group. Then reality surpasses you and sometimes it has no limits. We can’t think about what’s behind us and push a button and change everything. We work for those who come without being discouraged by a new defeat. That’s why I was called. I knew there was a 92% chance of being relegated, and football is about being brave and taking responsibility. We are constantly working for the future. Our work can be further evaluated when we have a chance to start the project next season, but now we are solidifying the foundations for the future.
When Bragarnik decided to stay without Machín and offered to come to him, didn’t you think it was better to see everything from the outside and make a composition of the place before starting the next campaign?
When you decide, you know you’ve come to take the place of another coach. He raised me and asked what he thought, I never doubted. Seeing things from the outside through images is not the same as gaining knowledge in the field that daily work gives you. I think we save time on all these things. You can’t focus on results and people’s anger. You must know how to digest the truth. In a season like the 100th Anniversary of the club, it is painful that these events are happening with the dreams and illusions that exist. But I also cannot take responsibility for the above. It is not my fault. From the staff council, the board of directors, the different coaches that have been there, and our mission is that it doesn’t happen again in the future.
If this dynamic of defeats continues, don’t you think it could happen to you too and undermine your strength and confidence in the future?
I don’t know. My strength will not be short, that’s why I came. Our performance was good in these four games we played and we deserved more. There are immeasurable things that we cannot control, such as the injuries of Carmona, Helibelton, or Bigas doing what we want; or Gumbau sanction. The outlook was good except in the second half against Valencia, where we didn’t have the ability to create chances and win. We were good in the first half, beyond the mistakes that led to the goal. We took control, there were arrivals and crossings in the region. What is clear is that the final result is that we will play in the Second Division.
Are you worried that there may be doubts about the possible continuity of the results achieved at the end of the season?
We’re here to work for Part Two. I continue to work with the same enthusiasm and joy because I get good reactions from the players. I am calm and very relaxed in the city and focus on my work. We know that adversity is extreme and that we need to be together and united. Today is the time to endure reproaches with humility and desire to work.
Found what you’ve been waiting for after a little over a month in Elche?
The only thing I’m upset about is that we ruled we couldn’t handle the injuries Carmona, Bigas or Palacios took, which gave us what we were looking for in the game. On the other hand, Omar gives us the structure we are looking for from below, Clerc can play at left centre-back and on the wing or on the wing, Tete Morente on both wings, Fidel outside or inside… I’m sorry for not providing continuity to the team we put at the top. However, this has also resulted in other players having opportunities to take advantage of. But the feelings I’ve had so far are very good.
Do you hold the notion that Mascarell plays at the centre-back and John plays in the midfield?
I like that my teams start the game from the bottom and the midfielder makes it more positional and short. Omar has a better ball out and Carmona and now John can give me what I want in midfield. I dream of the game having the ball, because if I don’t have the ball, I have to run backwards. I appreciate Mascarell’s ability to play in the midfield, but he’s more of a passer and transfer player. John played almost his entire career as a midfielder. In addition to his 12 kilometers against Valencia, he also won the air fights and shared the game. I’m happy with what I’m looking at and looking for the game I want.
Does this mean the other central defenders on the team will leave at the end of the season and look for defenders and midfielders to do what Mascarell did as a central defender and John as a midfielder?
That we will go. All players will have their minutes and we will evaluate them at the end of the season. They are people and football players and you have to respect them.
They said he has a coach from Argentina who adapts to the squads he has. However, he seems to be trying to implement the game idea regardless of the players he’s had since arriving.
One can get an idea of the game, but by always seeing what I have and trying to do what I want with what I have. I think it can be done. I never do anything without thinking about what I have. I wouldn’t have done it if I saw it couldn’t be done, and what I have is capable of doing it.
Worried about defensive errors after conceding ten goals in four games?
It’s something that’s happened throughout this season, and it’s real. We have to be more alert and more concentrated and win more duels and skirmishes. It worries us, because being safe in the back gives you more peace of mind and calmness, and on the contrary, it creates anxiety and you have already packed your backpack. We talk about it specifically with videos, tutorials, talks and listening. But then, although we continue to emphasize, action is something else.
The name of another Argentinian, such as Mauro Óbolo, has emerged as the possible new head of the club’s sports field. What are you thinking? Do you know him?
I know him from Argentina but have no idea. My responsibility is to work with the players. I have a close relationship and I discreetly discuss things with the owner, but I don’t get involved. What he wants from the club’s structure is his decision. My job is to train and select players that he wants and that I like.
What do you expect from tomorrow’s game with Celta?
A rival that has grown since he changed coaches. They have dangerous and talented players like Iago Aspas or Veiga. They occupy the areas well and this will allow us to be very close to them in defense. We have to work very well in the gaps and be organized defensively. In addition to looking for space to attack and try to be the hero when we steal the ball.