The first thing Pereira highlighted was the healthy atmosphere in the Real Zaragoza dressing room. “With two consecutive wins, the atmosphere always improves, but we have a great group and we are handling day-to-day life very well,” the Maño team’s left-back said.
He believes the players are ready for the task of stringing together the wins needed to finish the season at the top of the standings. “We are quite well prepared. We need to put together a run of victories, and we are on the right track to do that,” he said during his appearance in the press room at Real Zaragoza’s Ciudad Deportiva.
Pereira appeared on Wednesday at Real Zaragoza’s Ciudad Deportiva. Photo: A.P.
In that regard, pressure is something every Real Zaragoza player must learn to live with. “I have a good relationship with Iza (the former Maño player who suggested that the pressure may have got to him); I asked him about a good area to live in. He knew it was a good place. I don’t know how he handled it, but the pressure… everyone knows what they’re signing up for, the city and the club… but every situation is different,” he said.
MORE ANALYSIS
On a personal level, Real Zaragoza’s left-back says he is “very confident.” He started last Sunday in Torremolinos, where the team won 3-4. “I have worked day in, day out for this. I am ready whenever the manager wants to play me,” Raúl Pereira said.
The victory certainly produced some positive aspects, along with others that must be corrected. On the latter point, Real Zaragoza saw their opponents, after falling 1-4 behind, come close to completing a comeback. He did not want to go into too much detail. “It is a difficult division. The pitch was heavy, it was hot… every opponent is going to push hard. It is a difficult ground that we left with a win,” he explained.
One positive was the team’s set-piece play, which played a role in several of the goals. It is an “important” aspect. “Matches are decided that way; we have worked on it a lot,” he said.
THIRD VICTORY
Pereira expressed his desire and belief that Real Zaragoza can put together “a third victory.” He believes it will happen. It remains to be seen whether he will start at left-back or whether his teammate Escudero will occupy the position. He is “delighted” to compete with him for a place in the starting eleven.
