De Gea: 'We were worse in previous years and were able to qualify for Champions”
“I feel very good at Atlético and hope to stay here for many years”
David De Gea knows that the ‘rojiblanco’ squad isn’t going through a good moment and that the best solution would be to start by beating Athletic this coming Sunday. The goalkeeper stated that “it’s an important match given the form of the team. It’s a complicated situation, but a victory would return us to the top spots, which is where we should be,” he asserted.
The netminder wanted to look at the positive side of having been knocked out of the Europa League and the Copa del Rey, and stated that “we’ll have the whole week to prepare for the league fixtures. By going from game-to-game and trying to reach the goal set at the beginning, to qualify for Champions League, it’s possible to achieve that. There are enough points left at stake and matches to accomplish that goal. We were in worse situations in previous years and were able to qualify for Champions.”
The young goalkeeper also analysed the mistakes of the defence over the course of the season and said that “we’ve had specific errors. We have to be more focused and need a bit more luck. We’re going to try and make sure those slip-ups don’t happen again.”
In recent weeks, rumours have swirled regarding possible offers to various first squad players. In spite of this, David doesn’t believe that those possible offers have damaged the players’ performances. “Players’ focus doesn’t get thrown off by what’s being discussed. We have to keep working without paying attention to what’s being said,” emphasized the keeper, who also spoke about the imminent retirement of Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. “He’s marked a time period. He’s played at a high level for a long time and I imagine they’ll sign another goalkeeper to replace him. Personally, I feel very good at Atlético and hope to stay here for many years.”
With respect to the presence of Miguel Ángel Gil Marín in Majadahonda, David explained that “he came to motivate us. He told us that we could bring the squad out of the current situation. Now we want to show that that’s a fact and that we can earn qualification for Champions League.”
To finish, he touched on the atmosphere that the team expects for this Sunday’s clash at the Vicente Calderón. “I hope that the fans are the same as always, supporting the team. It’s very easy to play with their support. Everything is easier and will go better with their effort,” De Gea concluded.
The netminder wanted to look at the positive side of having been knocked out of the Europa League and the Copa del Rey, and stated that “we’ll have the whole week to prepare for the league fixtures. By going from game-to-game and trying to reach the goal set at the beginning, to qualify for Champions League, it’s possible to achieve that. There are enough points left at stake and matches to accomplish that goal. We were in worse situations in previous years and were able to qualify for Champions.”
The young goalkeeper also analysed the mistakes of the defence over the course of the season and said that “we’ve had specific errors. We have to be more focused and need a bit more luck. We’re going to try and make sure those slip-ups don’t happen again.”
In recent weeks, rumours have swirled regarding possible offers to various first squad players. In spite of this, David doesn’t believe that those possible offers have damaged the players’ performances. “Players’ focus doesn’t get thrown off by what’s being discussed. We have to keep working without paying attention to what’s being said,” emphasized the keeper, who also spoke about the imminent retirement of Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. “He’s marked a time period. He’s played at a high level for a long time and I imagine they’ll sign another goalkeeper to replace him. Personally, I feel very good at Atlético and hope to stay here for many years.”
With respect to the presence of Miguel Ángel Gil Marín in Majadahonda, David explained that “he came to motivate us. He told us that we could bring the squad out of the current situation. Now we want to show that that’s a fact and that we can earn qualification for Champions League.”
To finish, he touched on the atmosphere that the team expects for this Sunday’s clash at the Vicente Calderón. “I hope that the fans are the same as always, supporting the team. It’s very easy to play with their support. Everything is easier and will go better with their effort,” De Gea concluded.