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“With more enthusiasm than ever”
Javi López believes that the team this Saturday must demonstrate “the hunger we have” to fight “for this challenge”
Javi López has said that, in the return to competition week, the team is facing this stretch of 11 games “with more enthusiasm than ever”. The defender believes that the recent months have left them “strengthened mentally by everything we have experienced. We have to think that games can be faced with the maximum possible guarantees, but I also think that this has been an atypical preseason of sorts, with few weeks’ preparation. Let’s hope that we have no injuries”.
He says that these months “are the most difficult challenge since arriving here thirteen seasons ago. It is time to make history. But the belief we have in turning the situation around will make us accomplish anything”.
He acknowledged that in the team “we only talk about one game and we only think about it, to make absolutely sure that we grab the three points”.
He also points out that having less time to prepare for the games “shows a lot”. He therefore said that it is “somewhat different if you have 24 hours more rest. It shows a lot. It is something you notice on your own person. Right now, we have to adapt to the schedule and we cannot use it as an excuse. We have to face these matches with the maximum possible guarantees. If it is very hot on Saturday, I don’t think anyone wants to put the safety of the players at risk and they will have to reconsider changing the schedule for the next game”.
He said that “it would be unfair for the public to have access to some stadiums and not to others. Fans make the difference and the Government must make clear when this can happen. We would like for it to be at the same time for all”, adding that “football without fans is nothing. We are all going to make an effort to resume the Liga, but the authorities have to rule on the matter. I want my fans and the stadium to be full to bursting point because we know that with them we are invincible”.
The Blue and Whites’ defender also argued that in this final stretch “we have to improve as a team”, highlighting that “these two months have helped us focus. We have to be positive, be happy, have hope and fight for this challenge with that”. He reiterated that the team is “more excited than ever. I see it in training. On Saturday we have the possibility to demonstrate the hunger and enthusiasm we have. If everything we say here is not reflected on the pitch, it is useless. We have to prove it”.