Elche CF player Mario Gaspar is clear that a clean sheet is the best solution to move forward. The defender from Novelda has no concrete explanation for the latest defeat. The next day, “We were injured. We wanted to win, but we couldn’t achieve it in the first half. “These are football-related things, it happened and now we want to focus on the next game.”
Mario Gaspar believes it is best to forget the matter, but “We must analyze this first to prevent it from happening again, but now we must focus on the following three points that we can change.”
When asked about the key to the disaster in Cartagena, the player said: “None of us have a clear answer. We went into the second half with the same mentality as in the first half. We wanted to score the second goal because every match in this category can be complicated. We had some doubts, they created opportunities for us… The team was going out of the game and this cannot happen at all. Conditions may change, but we must rediscover the play of the first half and get back into the game. We were not certain. Losing two or three balls raised doubts in us.”
doubts
This may be the crux of the matter. Doubts. Or maybe too much risk was taken? “There were many reasons, but I couldn’t name a specific one. The first episode went well. It was a combination of several conditions. “They score goals, the anxiety of getting ahead increases… There is no special reason.”
Do you think the pressure of losing and not achieving promoted positions might have an impact? “It shouldn’t affect. With Marcelino at Villarreal, we were 14 points behind the second place and eventually moved up. We are on the road and doing good things. One setback shouldn’t overshadow the two and a half good months we’ve had. It’s the points that matter. “The situation on the table should not create pressure,” he said.
Do you want Villarreal to play in the Cup? “Any opponent will be difficult and exciting at the same time. It’s always great to play against a First Division team. The truth is that it wouldn’t be bad to play against our old team-mates and friends, but we have to think about Oviedo and focus on getting three points again.”
On a personal level, Mario Gaspar feels “physically fine”. Coach changed me to try to win the game. Not because of a physical problem.” And with his new role as a centre-back, moving up to midfield… “My new role looks good to me, I am adapting and learning something new for myself, so… with a great desire to learn new things and improve helping the team”.
If I had to choose, “I would say that in principle I’m better as a winger, but games give you the confidence and security to do more. The truth is I don’t care. The important thing is to win games. It depends on the type of opponent you have, it’s good to have alternatives.”
Do you think defeat will leave any consequences?
“It shouldn’t. We have to realize that the road is good and we have to go back to that road and think about it. It’s clear that we were playing at home and we had confidence and hope that we could win, but this is football. You have to think about what will happen. This defeat should not leave any consequences. It is true that yesterday was a day when you were in a bad mood, but you can feel the pain.” “You have to live, think about what we didn’t do well and move on to the next thing, because if you continue to have regrets, there may be consequences. Now we have a new match against a tough opponent. The team has already trained today, targeting Oviedo.”
Regarding the future, the defender thinks: “At the moment there are six points at stake by the end of the year and we will try to get the remaining six points from Friday. The mentality of the team is always the same. Try to achieve victory.”
ball out
“The team is taking risks and they know it, but I think we get more benefit than harm from these types of games. Ideally it’s a balance in reading where you can take risks and when you have to be a little more conservative. You have to have alternatives but the team has an identity and a way it wants to play.”
key of Oviedo
“Bring out the best version of ourselves. The opponent has very good players, they are doing well. “We have to be very competitive, defend very well and be more sensitive with the ball compared to the second half of the last game.”
Do you think the cup and match accumulation are negatively affected by this? “You never know. The more time you have is always the better, but the timetable is what it is and you have to adapt to it. Even if it does, I don’t think it has any impact. That would be looking for an excuse rather than a possibility. It could happen, but it works for us.” “It is not necessary. There may be another situation. If the team plays like the first half, we will win the match. We must be like that team too.”