Real Oviedo Head Coach Javi Rozada appeared in the Press Room this morning and evaluated the week his team has had in the lead-up to Sunday's derby.
The Oviedo-born coach began by issuing a reminder that Yoel Bárcenas and Obeng are away on international duty, while also confirming Saúl Berjón's absence. Of the latter, he said "we aren't going to risk it because he's a very important player for us." He also confirmed Joselu's return to fitness, saying that "he will be in the squad."
The Coach then explained that the week "has been good and one bad result hasn't affected us. We have worked well, prepared for the match, and come into it in good shape. These matches are special, however the league table looks, and any match coming now is good for us. The team is getting better. We have had a very good spell and I see the team doing well despite the results. We are hungry and convinced that we are going to get a good result on Sunday."
Asked what the key would be, Rozada said that it will be "starting the match well, in the opening minutes. And also having personality and handling the key moments of the match well. The key will be the team showing all the ability it has in the high-pressure moments. The team has a lot of ability."
Going into his first derby in charge of the first team, the Coach recalled that "I've been involved in other derbies in other divisions, but this will be nicest one. In order to make it special I'd like us to reward our fans with some happiness on Sunday. We have only won one of my matches at the Tartiere so far. Those people are always there and never let us down...that's who I don't want to let down. I want to reward them with a victory in my first derby. They deserve it, because they've helped us a lot in recent matches."
With respect to how he motivated the players this week, Rozada explained that "the players are well-aware of which match it is, and it wasn't necessary to motivate them this week. I think that motivation comes from day-to-day work. There is even more there for this match, and it's not necessary to work on it."
The Coach also spoke about the fact that "I've not seen Sporting much this year, but I think José Alberto is doing well. I have a good relationship with him and hope things go well for him, after Sunday. Whenever we see each other anywhere we have a chat, and there is no problem at all between us."
Regarding the planning for the match, the Real Oviedo Head Coach commented that "it could all change a bit until we see what the pitch is like on Sunday. We won't decide how we are going to play until the day of the match. Whichever eleven starts on Sunday will do so for everyone, and I am convinced that we will take control of the match."
Speaking about the opponent, Rozada expects them "to come here very hungry, with a fast start with the aim of giving us doubts, and with a lot of personality. We know how to neutralise that, and we always start well in home matches, especially with our fans helping us right from the first minute."
Finally, he concluded by discussing Arturo Elías' comments, the Coach declared himself "grateful, because he was concerned with making sure we weren't lacking anything. Arturo watches all the matches and wants to team to get better... and what we have to do is show him is that, with hard work, we are ready to push upwards. The team has to be ambitious, and that is what we are looking for."
