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González: "The strength has to come from our heads"
The coach looks ahead to the playoff final first leg
Manolo González spoke on the eve of RCD Espanyol's playoff final first leg against Real Oviedo, explaining his side's approach to the game.
“We are going to go for the win, as we have done at every ground. It's as clear as day to me. I'm not going to wait for next Sunday to go for the victory," he said.
"If Oviedo do peg us back, it will be because they are a high-level team. I am convinced that we will come into tomorrow's game well. On a motivational level, the strength that you don't have in your legs has to come from your head.”
The coach also praised Oviedo, calling them “a team with good individuals, who are very difficult to defend against. Luis Carrión has also made them play very well. We are going to play against a great team and we have to do well.”
"At this point, neither they nor we will have too many changes. I think that the tie will be decided in Cornellà, although the result tomorrow may determine what happens in the second leg."
González is also convinced that the team have come into the playoffs “at the best moment. We are brave, we press high. We have found a certain level of order and I would only like to have a greater degree of effectiveness in front of goal. I am confident, excited and very motivated -and I think the dressing room is the same. I would love to make history and take the team to the Primera Division. I am privileged to have been able to coach such a historic team.”
The coach regretted, however, “not having been able to win those two more games that would have taken us directly to the Primera Division. Now we have 10 days left to push and get a good result. I will not be going for a pair of draws, because if we do that then we will lose. I have had experiences like this in other divisions.”