Koke: “Not qualifying for Europe isn’t passing through our heads”
“We’re close to the goal because we’re just one game back”
Jorge Resurrección, Koke, acknowledged in the Press Room at Cerro del Espino that he left the stadium angrily after the los in the derby because he doesn’t like to lose, especially against their eternal rivals. He showed support for the work being done by the Club with the junior academy which makes it possible for there to be more and more of them making the jump to the first squad.
To begin, Koke spoke about the disappointment of losing to Real Madrid in the classic. “I went home a bit upset because we played well enough to have won the match, but they were more fortunate in front of the goal and we had to face Iker, who played a great game.”
Koke played as a central midfielder with the Under-20s, although with Atlético is falling over more to the wing. “I’m a central midfielder but I feel comfortable on both sides as well as in the middle. The gaffer plays me on the wing but I’m fine in either position.”
There are only 9 matches left in the season and Koke is confident that they will accomplish their goal of qualifying for a European competition. “We’re close to the goal because we’re just a game back. If we play well, we’ll make it to European competition and I believe that we have the squad to do that.”
Regarding whether the break in league play this weekend could benefit the team, Koke said that “any rest is good, but next week we’ll see if the time off has been good or bad for us.”
The state of the ‘rojiblanco’ junior academy was another topic that he touched on, as there are several players in the first squad at the moment who have come up through the youth ranks. “People are coming up from below and there are other players behind us. The Club is making full use of it.”
Concerning the team’s goal of qualifying for a European competition, Koke has no doubts. “Not qualifying for Europe isn’t passing through our heads. We all think that we’re going to play in Europe next season.”
The match against Osasuna will be a big test for the ‘rojiblancos’ and it will surely mark the path for the team down the final stretch. “It’s going to be a tough match because it’s a difficult stadium, but the team has a lot on the line and we’re going to go out for the three points and we can get them. We have to win because otherwise we'd fall off the pace for Europe.”
Frequently, players don’t want to speak about failure, but Koke would see things that way if they don’t make it to Europe. “Not being in Europe next season would be a failure because we’re not accomplishing our goal of qualifying for Champions League and it would be a bit of a failure not to be in Europe at all.”
He didn’t think twice in speaking about whether he plays with the first or second team. “I’m a reserve squad player and if the team needs me I’ll play for them. Right now I’m with the first team, but if I have to play with the reserves I will.”
With regard to the possibility of games being suspended as the league works out television contract disputes, the ‘rojiblanco’ central midfielder highlighted that “I hope that they resolve the issues as quickly as possible because we want to play and we don’t want to stop.”
To finish, his eyes opened wide when someone mentioned the possibility of him playing with the senior national team in a few years. “It would be the best thing in the world to make it to the senior squad because it’s the biggest thing one can shoot for as a football player.”
To begin, Koke spoke about the disappointment of losing to Real Madrid in the classic. “I went home a bit upset because we played well enough to have won the match, but they were more fortunate in front of the goal and we had to face Iker, who played a great game.”
Koke played as a central midfielder with the Under-20s, although with Atlético is falling over more to the wing. “I’m a central midfielder but I feel comfortable on both sides as well as in the middle. The gaffer plays me on the wing but I’m fine in either position.”
There are only 9 matches left in the season and Koke is confident that they will accomplish their goal of qualifying for a European competition. “We’re close to the goal because we’re just a game back. If we play well, we’ll make it to European competition and I believe that we have the squad to do that.”
Regarding whether the break in league play this weekend could benefit the team, Koke said that “any rest is good, but next week we’ll see if the time off has been good or bad for us.”
The state of the ‘rojiblanco’ junior academy was another topic that he touched on, as there are several players in the first squad at the moment who have come up through the youth ranks. “People are coming up from below and there are other players behind us. The Club is making full use of it.”
Concerning the team’s goal of qualifying for a European competition, Koke has no doubts. “Not qualifying for Europe isn’t passing through our heads. We all think that we’re going to play in Europe next season.”
The match against Osasuna will be a big test for the ‘rojiblancos’ and it will surely mark the path for the team down the final stretch. “It’s going to be a tough match because it’s a difficult stadium, but the team has a lot on the line and we’re going to go out for the three points and we can get them. We have to win because otherwise we'd fall off the pace for Europe.”
Frequently, players don’t want to speak about failure, but Koke would see things that way if they don’t make it to Europe. “Not being in Europe next season would be a failure because we’re not accomplishing our goal of qualifying for Champions League and it would be a bit of a failure not to be in Europe at all.”
He didn’t think twice in speaking about whether he plays with the first or second team. “I’m a reserve squad player and if the team needs me I’ll play for them. Right now I’m with the first team, but if I have to play with the reserves I will.”
With regard to the possibility of games being suspended as the league works out television contract disputes, the ‘rojiblanco’ central midfielder highlighted that “I hope that they resolve the issues as quickly as possible because we want to play and we don’t want to stop.”
To finish, his eyes opened wide when someone mentioned the possibility of him playing with the senior national team in a few years. “It would be the best thing in the world to make it to the senior squad because it’s the biggest thing one can shoot for as a football player.”
