Just finished a phase of the preseason with the stay in Mondariz and the League is approaching...
- Well, we are at a point in the season where we have to add days of work, get to know the coach's ideas, get to know the players, and, above all, it is important that there are no injuries.
- How does Garitano want his team to be?
- Without the ball, I want us to be intense, aggressive, and organized, to have balance, to concede few goals, and we can see it. Offensively, we also try to play the ball from the back and when we steal it we will try to make quick transitions. We are gradually getting there, but the most important thing is to have a balance between defense and attack.
- Are you obsessed with not giving anything away to the opponent?
- Yes, but players have to play the ball and making mistakes is part of football. What is true is that having defensive seriousness is important in this category, but then we have good players to play the ball, to attack, and create chances.
- They are short of players. Is what we have seen in these three games what we can expect for the League or will things change when those six or seven players who are yet to come arrive?
- We only have 14 players. We'll see when they start arriving. What is clear is that those who are here now are the closest to starting the League. We need a little patience.
- From the outside, it seems that the most decisive pieces of the project are missing, those players capable of deciding games...
- Well, we are missing forwards, that is clear, and then we are missing defenders because we only have five for four positions in the first team. Due to market and club issues, we are without forwards, but without a striker we are not going to play. Those players will come.
- Communication with Braulio is fluid. What kind of player, forward, winger is he asking for?
- I'm not asking for anything. We are reaching a consensus among all of us on which players we can sign. But it's not easy because the forwards who score goals are not cheap. We are looking for players who can come and be valid for us. We are looking for people who score goals and we try to make the forwards different. One faster, who goes into spaces, and another taller one.
- Are you getting impatient due to the lack of signings?
- I am not an impatient person. Having only 14 players is a difficult situation, but it has to be that way, due to the team's needs. When I came, I knew that I had few players and I have no complaint.
- What is your assessment of the preseason so far?
- The assessment is very good. The team works very well, has good work habits. We have found a very hardworking, disciplined group with a lot of enthusiasm. The young players have come with a lot of desire and there are no injuries.
- Of the young players, is there anyone who you see is earning the right to be with the first team?
- Due to economic needs, for now, we will have 20 players. That means that as long as there are players with injuries or suspensions, some of them, three or four, will have to be with us regularly. They have to earn it, but I won't look at ID cards when making line-ups. Those who are better, will play. Whether it is a player from the reserve team or if they are 36 years old, it's the same to me. Those who I see are the best, are the ones who will play.
- You succeeded in promoting Eibar, placing it in a privileged position and I imagine you know that the level of demand here, in Valladolid, will be the same...
- Yes, it's curious that we still don't have a team, we have 14 players, and people are already expecting us to be at the top. Having demands is good, but within reason. We are going to play against teams at our level or even better. It is clear that we are one of the teams that will have the responsibility to be at the top, but we must know that we are a second division team like Zaragoza, Mallorca, Almería, Cordoba, etc...
- Have you already felt the enthusiasm and love of the fans?
- Yes, a lot, really. We know that people are excited, but we have to give them something. The team has to transmit, has to give it all every Sunday, and we hope to engage the fans.
- Comparisons are odious and I imagine that people have already told you that you remind them of Mendilibar, a real idol, because of coming from Eibar, having been coached by him... Is Mendi's shadow long?
- For me, no. He has the same problem when he arrived in Eibar with me. We are friends and I wish him the best. I am Gaizka Garitano, although I insist that I appreciate him a lot as a coach and as a person.
- Finally, is there anything you have seen in Valladolid or the club that you didn't like?
- I like everything. For now, I like the city, I like the people in the club, I like the players, and for now, I am very happy.