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González: "Keeping a clean sheet is half the battle"

The coach previews the game against Elche CF

Manolo González remains steadfast in his conviction that the team can get back to winning ways soon and rediscover their early-season form, as he explained in a Saturday press conference.

"Two things must go hand in hand. If you win by luck, you end the game happy, but the feeling isn't good. We have to get back that feeling of being a tough team to beat."

"I would urge everybody to stay calm. The other day we changed the formation because we didn't want as many individual duels; it worked well in the first half, but in the second, an early goal changed everything."

Up against Elche on Sunday, the coach says that it is an opportunity "to get three points that can bring us much closer to safety and leave our rivals further behind. It's important, and we think we're ready to win."

"The defensive aspect is something we have been working on all year. It's vital. Keeping a clean sheet is half the battle. The other day we made two mistakes, and they were punished severely. We have to be more decisive and stay focused on the game at all times."

González added that “I'm concerned about all our rivals. The season is going well. If you had told me last June that we could be in this situation now, I would have snatched your arm off. I'm very aware of what we're capable of. When we achieve one goal, then we'll set our sights on the next.”

“The team will get back to winning ways. I'm very aware of the human and professional group we have here. We'll have better and worse days, but they're committed and very loyal to the club and what it represents.”