Question.— How is Andrés Borge doing at Club Deportivo Teruel? Answer.— Very well. The team has welcomed me warmly. We are very united, even though the results have not gone the way we wanted. We know where we want to go, and we have to play better in every match. Now, against Real Zaragoza.
Borge served as captain of Real Zaragoza’s reserve team. Photo: Real Zaragoza
Q.— How are you handling this difficult start (Teruel are still waiting for their first win)? A.— For one reason or another, the results are not coming. We want to win everything. The only thing we can focus on is maintaining our concentration in every match, correcting mistakes and improving as much as possible each week so we can win.
“Playing against Real Zaragoza? It feels a little strange, but I’m really looking forward to it”
Q.— Last year you played for Tarazona. You did not manage to stay up, but you came very close. That will have given you experience… A.— Most players, at any club, go through bad spells. Whether they are at the top or the bottom. We are used to it. The key is to remain focused and concentrated in every training session, correct mistakes and go into the match eager to show what we are capable of.
PLAYING AGAINST REAL ZARAGOZA
Q.— How does it feel to face Real Zaragoza? A.— I have a slightly strange feeling. I had never faced them since leaving. It is the club where I spent a long time… I would not know how to explain it.
Q.— Are you looking forward to it? A.— I really am. It is also a derby. Every player will see it as an extra source of motivation.
Borge poses for an interview with Aragón Digital during his time as a Real Zaragoza player. Photo: A.P.
Q.— Will it be noticeable that the game is no longer being played at La Romareda, but at a temporary, portable stadium? A.— La Romareda is La Romareda. The fans applied a great deal of pressure. But the supporters here are also fully behind the team and give us their support. It may not be the same, but they will put us under pressure, and the Real Zaragoza players will feel it. It is a great atmosphere to play in.
“In Teruel, everyone is waiting for the weekend to arrive and the match to begin”
Q.— Real Zaragoza cannot afford to be complacent, even though things have not gone Teruel’s way… A.— In this division, it does not matter who you face. You can win or lose against anyone. The level of competition is enormous. It is true that Real Zaragoza are coming off a very positive run and we are coming off one we would like to improve, but every match is different. You never know what might happen. We will go out to win and do our best.
THE MATCH FROM THE INSIDE
Q.— How is this event being experienced in Teruel? A.— A derby is a derby. There is a lot of excitement, and a large number of people will be watching the match. It is an attractive fixture; both teams need to win. Everyone is waiting for the weekend to arrive and the match to begin.
Q.— Are you training differently this week? A.— Training has to focus on correcting mistakes, despite playing a derby. We have to improve week by week. In my case, it will certainly be different. There is an extra motivation.
Borge during a training session while he was at Real Zaragoza. Photo: A.P.
Q.— How do you see Real Zaragoza? A.— I have been following their matches, as well as those of other teams in the division. They have clear ideas and the players understand them well. They are different from one another, but they complement each other. That makes the difference.
“Despite spending many years at Real Zaragoza and caring about them so much, I want to win this weekend”
Q.— You have now spent three seasons in this division, so can we ask whether you believe Real Zaragoza are candidates for first place… A.— Everyone knows they are. It is clear. But we will see what happens over the course of the year, because it also depends on the performance of other teams…
WITH PERSPECTIVE
Q.— Staying up is Teruel’s objective. What is the key? A.— Every team has the points it deserves. We have to correct mistakes, improve week by week and seek victory to end this negative run. The objective is survival, but once that is achieved, we can aim higher.
Q.— I understand that, after this match, you wish Real Zaragoza all the best… A.— I wish them not only well, but the very best, but I am very competitive and when they are playing against me, I want to win. Despite having spent many years there and caring about them so much, I want to win this weekend.
Q.— How much did you suffer with their relegation? A.— It made me very sad, also because of the teammates I spent several years with. They must have had a difficult time. I remain in contact with some of them.
“The difficult moments at Real Zaragoza taught me a lot”
Q.— What do you take away from your time at Real Zaragoza? A.— All the good moments, from the youth teams through to the first team. Also the difficult ones, because they made me learn a lot.
Q.— The injuries were unfortunate and came at very inopportune times… A.— These are things that can happen. I take it that way and do not dwell on it. Athletes are exposed to injuries. That was how things turned out. Those difficult moments taught me a lot.
Q.— A prediction? A.— That I want to win. Definitely.
