Martínez: "We found the reward we deserved"
The RCD Espanyol coach praises his side's effort against Athletic Club
A jubilant Diego Martínez spoke after RCD Espanyol's first win of the season, as a Martin Braithwaite goal on his debut earned Los Pericos victory away to Athletic Club.
"I'm very happy," he told the media in his post-match press conference. "I normally thank the players and congratulate them. This is a game to get emotional about. We had to put up a resistance, because it's the only way to win here, and we did that with a great effort from players who want to help the cause. We are going to have to sweat blood in order to pick up points this year."
Martíez himself had an impact on the game, making a tactical change at halftime.
"We wanted to control Iker Muniain's movements and we wanted to defend in the box, because Raúl García was going to come in. The team defended well, resisted and believed in themselves when there were counters and fast transitions. The team put in a superhuman effort, because they left everything out there. We found the reward that we didn't get in other games."
Asked about the importance of the win for morale, the coach explained that "we need to be aware that this will be a tough, difficult year, in which we will have to work very hard in games. The sooner we realise this, the happier we will be along the way. The team always believed and knew that you have to do other things; things which people don't like so much, but that are important in order to win. It's going to be a year of the highest level of demand, and we need everybody."
"There was a moment in the second half in which it was very difficult, against a side with the pace and physical play that Athletic Club have. The atmosphere was spectacular and the team believed in themselves. Confidence is very important, but we can't just depend on a single result; we have to be hard-working and persevere, without emotional ups and downs. That's the way forward," he closed by saying.