Real Oviedo Head Coach José Angel Ziganda appeared in the Press Room this morning, ahead of tomorrow's match against CD Leganés at Butarque.
The Coach began by responding to a question regarding the lack of playing time Rafa Mujica is getting, despite the team's shortage of goals. "He is another player in the squad and he is working in the same way as the rest of the team. At the moment we are opting for other players, and he hasn't had the opportunity to come into the team. Riki and Cedric haven't come in
either, and they are also professionals, despite their young ages. They have to work a lot, wait for the opportunity to see if they get their chance, and not lose faith."
Hinting at likely changes to the starting eleven from Thursday's match at the Tartiere, Ziganda explained that "we are going to see how we put the team together. We are up against a very tough opponent, who have substitutes with a lot of experience, seven or eight strikers who could play... I still haven't decided the exact team we are going to use, but any of them have a chance of being involved."
The side has only taken one victory from the first seven matches, but Ziganda said that "people often say that there is no point in worrying, the only thing worth doing is working, and not losing morale or confidence. We are holding on to the good things we are doing, which is what has to allow us to improve on what we are lacking. We are going to see how these games
go and we will see if it's a short-term confidence issue, or whether it could really be a longer-term problem. Let's hope not, we still have time to put it right. We know that we are lacking certain things and we haven't been finishing off our attacking moves, but we are going to give it everything to improve."
While he had positive words for the two goalkeepers, Femenías and Brazâo, Ziganda also talked about the attack and the shortage of goals. "It's a matter of finishing and getting forward. It's also about confidence, us all pushing together, and creating more attacks. Better attacks. Goals also come in streaks, while our opponents aren't creating many chances either.
We have to know there are many ways to score a goal; not just from combination play, but also from set moves and transitions. Goals can come in many different ways. Confidence is especially important."
Finally, regarding tomorrow's opponent, the Coach said that "they are one of the clear promotion favourites and the squad is made for it. They can sign the exact players that they want...promotion is their only option. They are under a lot of pressure, but it's a squad with first division players."
