Eugeni Valderrama, one of Real Zaragoza’s three winter signings, has landed on his feet in the Aragonese team: “I feel important, I’m happy and I think that shows on the pitch”. The footballer, who denies a lack of attitude in Cartagena, acknowledges that in the future he would like to be part of a Zaragoza that fights for promotion, but he prefers to focus on the rest of the season: “You have to go game by game and when the game is over course we’ll see where we’ve come, but the important thing is to win this Friday against Amorebieta, which is the closest we have”.
−Has the disappointment of last Saturday’s bump already passed?
−Now we have to think about Amorebieta, which will be an important match. It’s true that it was a tough game because we wanted to win that match, but we have to think about Friday.
− Do you think there was an attitude problem and they lowered their arms too soon?
-No, I don’t think it was a lack of attitude. You have to speak clearly and they were superior. It was a bad game for us and now we have to face the match against Amorebieta like everyone else we face at home, with desire, with ambition and for the three points.
−The team is twelve from relegation and nine from play off. What goals do the players set themselves in these ten remaining days?
−The goal is to win on Friday and then we’ll see what happens. We have to go game by game and when the season is over we’ll see where we’ve come, but the important thing is to get the victory this Friday, which is the closest we have.
−It would be the fourth win in a row at home. Do you think there is a debt to the fans for the few victories achieved in La Romareda before this streak?
-It is clear that we want to give the maximum joy to the fans. I think they are excellent fans, that they are always with us, and we owe it to them. We must give those joys they need and we will try that on Friday.
−How do you see Amorebieta?
−We know they are down there, in a complicated situation, but they are still a great team. It’s a Second Division match, very competitive, as they all are, and we face it as a very important match in which we have to get the three points ourselves.
−Francho and Jaume are out and Petrovic is a serious doubt. How can the midfield be recomposed?
−We have several casualties, but also a great squad with great players who can perform in all midfield positions. Whoever has to play will do the best he can.
-In the field you always see him assuming responsibilities. Do you feel like a leader?
−In the field I like to feel important and that the players around me trust me. That is what I try to do, bring out my best version and if it can be helping the team as much as possible, the better. A player wants to be important on the field and I feel important.
−What assessment do you make since your arrival and how do you see the future for next season?
−First we have to think about this season and what has to happen in the next one will be seen. The truth is that I am very happy here. Since I arrived they have welcomed me very well, I am very comfortable, I feel happy and I think that shows on the pitch, because when you are happy you bring out your best version. I’m looking forward to playing again on Friday at La Romareda and for it to be a great match.
− But do you want to be in a Zaragoza that may be fighting for promotion?
−It is clear that everyone wants to be in ambitious projects, but being in a great club like Real Zaragoza is already ambitious because it requires you to win every game and that is what we try to do.
Bermejo joins the group
Sergio Bermejo has already rejoined the group this morning, while Narváez and Petrovic remain on the sidelines, who are practically ruled out, so they would join the casualties of Francho, Jaume and Vigaray and the internationals Francés and Ángel López. Lasure continues to rest at home due to a catarrhal process and several Deportivo Aragón players have exercised under JIM’s orders: Miguel Ángel Sanz, Javi Hernández, Luengo, Borge, Isaiah, Vaquero, Benedet and Toquero, in addition to the usual Puche, already totally integrated into the dynamics of the first team.