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Diego Martínez: "This win is for and thanks to the fans"
The coach rejoices in the 1-0 win on the road over Elche CF
Following an epic victory for RCD Espanyol against Elche CF at the Estadio Martínez Valero, coach Diego Martínez spoke to the media on Sunday. He began by praising scorer Sergi Darder, who scored the decisive goal in the 1-0 triumph.
"I had said before that it would be a tough, difficult game, and we came into it with some very complicated circumstances," explained the coach. "It was a great show of commitment from Darder, who was playing with a calf problem. We started the game very well. We held on when we had to struggle, especially in aerial duels, were competitive and gave a display of our character."
Martínez admitted that the win meant more than just the three points, as it gives Los Pericos both momentum and confidence.
"The last side to visit here lost 3-1. What you have to do is compete. In the first game that we played against Elche, we didn't get our just rewards, but today we did, thanks to us believing until the end. We kept a clean sheet, which normally leads to a win. We had to change the position of some players and alter our tactics, but we did it."
When asked whether the win was a lucky one for RCD Espanyol, Martínez was quick to remind the media of some of the misfortune suffered by his side this term.
"Football has been very ungenerous to us all year. Other times there were some details that worked against us and we haven't scored a goal."
"We are happy for everyone, and especially that the team kept a clean sheet. It was a tough game in a situation in which we wanted to reinvent ourselves. There were situations in which we were more successful, others less so. There were five changes compared to to last week, important players who have not been able to travel... winning when you have to win is the most difficult thing."
The Spaniard hopes that the win can be a catalyst for further improvement.
"When a team are at the bottom, it's hard to play. When you're confident, with the wind in your sails, things work out for you. The passing sequence for the goal was magnificent and the start of the game was really good. You have to work with confidence and it is hard to do. I hope we find that consistent cruising speed. This victory is for - and thanks to - the fans."