Paco López, the head coach of C.D. Leganés, addressed the press on Wednesday ahead of the team’s Copa del Rey match against Albacete Balompié, scheduled for Thursday evening at 19:00 in Estadio Ontime Butarque.
In his statements regarding the upcoming match, López confirmed that the team will still be missing players due to injuries, stating, “We have the same absences as in Zaragoza. We haven’t recovered anyone.” He expressed that, due to a lack of options, Marvel will have to play, while with Duk, the team has more alternatives to consider.
López emphasized the importance of unity, saying, “I have enough on my plate trying to turn our results around and motivate the team. It’s essential that we all strive in the same direction. Our loyal fans will support us, as they always do.” He is optimistic about the match being a turning point for the team, asserting that victory is crucial not just for morale but also for their league performance.
Addressing potential rotations in the lineup, he noted that every player has been working incredibly hard and is deserving of playtime. “We feel equally confident in whoever takes the field tomorrow,” he stated. Lopez also highlighted the team’s captains, whose experience is leading the way, and expressed a belief that the players are eager to reverse their recent misfortunes.
The coach acknowledged the frustration surrounding recent decisions from referees that he felt have been detrimental to the team, especially following Marvel’s unjustified two-match suspension. “It’s disheartening to see decisions that significantly impact our games,” he remarked. On the other hand, López maintained respect for referees, underscoring his expectation for mutual respect within the sport.
Looking ahead to the Albacete match, he acknowledged their strengths and recent improvements, predicting a tough battle. He also mentioned the defensive challenges the team has faced, particularly with injuries impacting their core defensive lineup and pointed out that all teams deal with injuries, especially when results are not favorable.
As the team prepares for this vital game, López remains steadfast in his approach, balancing realism with optimism about the potential for improvement over the coming weeks. The desire to battle through adversity and find positive outcomes is at the forefront of his strategy, and he believes that the cycle of challenges will eventually turn in favor of C.D. Leganés.