Mauricio Pochettino: “I don’t think it’s a final, but it’s a special game”
“Apart from Agüero, you have to think about everyone else”
Mauricio Pochettino, manager of Espanyol, is approaching the game against Atlético de Madrid not as a final, but as an important part of his team’s chances to fight for a European spots. “I don’t think it’s a final because there’s no trophy at stake, but it’s a special match. These are three vital points for us if we want to keep our aspirations for a European competition alive. It’s a nice encounter, Atlético de Madrid is coming full of great players and it’s a good moment to play a good game and give our fans something to celebrate,” he said.
The head coach, who will be missing Duscher due to injury, but recovers Javi Márquez, recalled that “we found defensive solidity in the first half of the Championship against Hércules. Even if we win this match, the next will be the most important, and then the following. All of them are key because you know that you need a specific number of points to go to Europe. If we don’t earn the three points this Sunday, we can get all the points remaining and still go to Europe. No result will do away with our chances. Winning would boost our confidence but it wouldn’t clinch a spot. We have to go week to week because we don’t know how many points we’re going to need.”
Pochettino preferred not to focus his attention on a single ‘rojiblanco’ player and assured that “besides Agüero, you also have to think about Costa, Reyes and the rest.”
The ‘blanquiazul’ manager predicted a “very intense, back and forth and dynamic game between two teams that will go on the attack. Possibly, what interest us to have possession of the ball to manage the rhythm of play.”
The Argentine is sure that “the fans will be behind the team,” and is pleased that Mateu Lahoz will officiate the match because “he’s a referee that I like, who lets you see dynamic games, with fluid play and intensity.”
The head coach, who will be missing Duscher due to injury, but recovers Javi Márquez, recalled that “we found defensive solidity in the first half of the Championship against Hércules. Even if we win this match, the next will be the most important, and then the following. All of them are key because you know that you need a specific number of points to go to Europe. If we don’t earn the three points this Sunday, we can get all the points remaining and still go to Europe. No result will do away with our chances. Winning would boost our confidence but it wouldn’t clinch a spot. We have to go week to week because we don’t know how many points we’re going to need.”
Pochettino preferred not to focus his attention on a single ‘rojiblanco’ player and assured that “besides Agüero, you also have to think about Costa, Reyes and the rest.”
The ‘blanquiazul’ manager predicted a “very intense, back and forth and dynamic game between two teams that will go on the attack. Possibly, what interest us to have possession of the ball to manage the rhythm of play.”
The Argentine is sure that “the fans will be behind the team,” and is pleased that Mateu Lahoz will officiate the match because “he’s a referee that I like, who lets you see dynamic games, with fluid play and intensity.”
