Real Oviedo midfielder Francisco Portillo appeared in the Press Room today at El Requexón.
In the lead-up to another week of work, and having got back to winning ways against Racing de Ferrol at the weekend, the midfielder stated that "everybody is happy, particularly with it coming off the back of two tough defeats to take. The team made a statement and proved that it wants to be up there. If we do things well then we are a tough opponent and we can get victories."
With respect to the change between the Elche and Huesca matches and the encounter at A Malata, Portillo believes that "we remained calm, but were conscious that we were not doing things well. Football is like that. This division is even and even though they were two difficult defeats to take, we know that if we do things well we can be up there."
Asked about his adaptation to the team and to the city, Francisco Portillo highlighted that "I am feeling very good, I've adapted really well, and they have made the adaptation process easy for me. I am here to give it my best to help the team. I am getting to know things about the team, and the demands there are. That will make us better."
Discussing his first goal for the club, the Andalusian admitted that "I had been imagining it, and I always think about nice things. I have worked hard these months and had a bad time, but I am grateful for the support of my loved ones. I remembered my family and these months. I was there and couldn't compete, and mentally it was tough." Asked about the move leading up to the goal, Portillo commented that "Hassan is really quick and he led our counter attack. I got to the edge of the box, where I usually find space and he gave me the pass. I know there's a teammate there and I was going to pass it, but the defenders fell for the dummy, I shot and it went in."
Asked about the demands there are at the club and in the city to fight for ambitious targets, he reasoned that "I knew where I was coming. It's a big club, with demands. Football is like that, and when you lose two matches in a row everything gets put under the microscope. We have to take it one match at a time, starting with Granada."
Regarding Cazorla's first goal in a Real Oviedo shirt, the Andalusian stated that "I didn't know that, I only found out in the last few matches that he hadn't scored yet. We all wanted him to do it. He's a spectacular footballer and an example to follow."
Finally, ahead of the coming home match, in which Real Oviedo will welcome Granada to the Tartiere, Portillo explained that "all of the matches are important, but playing at home is special. We have to put in another performance like this, against an opponent who will make things difficult for us. We always want to win. It's a tough opponent, and it is important to get the three points. Thinking about matches as 'cup finals' at this point would be a mistake. There's a long way to go, and the objective will be seen when there are four or five matches left."