This Saturday, Real Zaragoza are due to host Antequera at 9:00 p.m. Before travelling, the coach spoke to the media and made no secret of his excitement about visiting the Aragonese capital. “We have had a very good week of work, with an added boost of confidence and motivation after winning the first game. Our attitude, which has been tremendous, and our desire to keep growing give us confidence that we will be competitive,” he said.
There is no doubt they are arriving at the home of the “big favourite” to be champions. At least, “in terms of name, history, supporters and everything surrounding Real Zaragoza”. “They are coming off a defeat, but they played a good game. They were able to create many chances, although they conceded early and that affected them. They have many strengths and few weaknesses; our job is to make the most of ours and ensure their strengths do not come to the fore,” he continued.
MAKING THE MOST OF THE ATMOSPHERE
“We have a squad that has played in Murcia, against Nàstic, Hércules… teams that attract 10,000 or 15,000 supporters, and the team is prepared to play in that environment. We cannot have that atmosphere at home; we have to make the most of it, enjoy it and let it serve as an incentive,” he added about his visit to Real Zaragoza.
The Antequera coach trusts his team’s “identity” and the “concepts” they have introduced to try to overcome the challenge at Ibercaja Estadio. Always aware of “the opponent” standing before them: a Real Zaragoza featuring players from last season who were regular starters. Cuenca, Pau Sans (although he ended up going out on loan) and Tachi are examples.
Even so, he is absolutely clear about who bears the burden of expectation. “The pressure is on them. They are obliged to win every game. It does not matter whether it is Antequera, Hércules… or whether it is away… when you wear the shirt of a club with that identity, you have that pressure,” he explained.
ANTEQUERA, HUMBLE
Paz described his players as “humble, eager and excited”. Against Real Zaragoza, he also wants them to be aware of something else: “We have to know that, if we perform at our level, there are many chances of winning.”
