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Between Thursday and Sunday

Machín maintains that “all games matter” and says that CSKA “are better than their results suggest”

Pablo Machín goes into this Thursday’s game wanting his side to compete well against CSKA Moscow, but also wanting to boost his side emotionally before Sunday’s game against Betis.

“All games matter”, he commented. “This one isn’t decisive, but Sunday’s against Betis is hugely important. We are representing a big club and we’re and playing in a really demanding competition tomorrow. There will be players capable of showing the level they are at. We hope to be able to end the game without any mishaps or setbacks”, he added.

In a UEFA Europa League press conference in which Machín answered more questions about Betis than about the Moscow side, the coach took the opportunity to insist that “There are a lot of things to put right, so I understand that the fans are upset. We’re not giving them a lot to enjoy”.

On CSKA, he says that “for me, they are the most difficult opponent we have faced” in the competition. “They are much better than their results suggest. They’re a young side, so maybe that makes them a little more vulnerable. They have a lot of quality. In their league they are fighting with some very good sides to qualify for the Champions League”.

The coach didn’t want to hear any talk about possible signings in the winter transfer market “because my signings are they players that we have now. Hopefully there won’t be any more injuries and those currently injured make quick recoveries. I need to get the best out of those I currently have available to me”.