Igor Oca: “Together, we can turn this victory into a turning point”

C.D. Leganés head coach Igor Oca spoke at a post-match press conference on Saturday following the team’s 5-2 victory over A.D. Ceuta at Ontime Butarque Stadium.

The coach assessed the match as follows:

An important victory: "Congratulations to everyone. It’s a testament to everything that Leganés stands for. I’m the newest addition to the staff, and we have the composure to make decisions. We’re coming off a difficult stretch, and any negative situation tends to be magnified. It’s a good win, and it’s even more valuable now that we’re six points clear of the relegation zone. “We scored five goals and showed the efficiency that validates the work we’re doing.”

Juan Cruz: “We’ve started him almost every game because we believe he can contribute on the right, left, or as a number 10. He’s a strong player, and the fans gave him a standing ovation as he left—it’s a sign that this could be a turning point.”

The team’s reaction after halftime: “We went through a tough fifteen minutes. We faced that questionable penalty early on, but starting around the 15th minute, we found our rhythm. We tied the game before halftime, and in the second half, we controlled the match better. We couldn’t quite close it out and had a few tense moments, but we managed it well.”

Leiva’s substitution: “I had Konrad up front, who had picked up two yellow cards; he was on a card, and it’s a matter of performance. If we consider that a second yellow could be detrimental and leave us a man down, we have to act. It can happen again, and it will.”

Melero and Juan Cruz: "They’re examples of how to handle adverse situations. Melero manages his emotions and the contexts in which he plays very well. He tries to make the most of every moment, and when that happens, this is what usually follows. His stats are similar to those of previous seasons, regardless of perceptions. Juan hasn’t stopped; he’s been brave and has fought hard. We’re in this situation; the hard part is showing character and giving it our all. We all want to keep moving forward together. Thanks also to the fans, who’ve really gotten behind us. We need to enjoy this moment and next week, with everything to play for in Málaga.”

A rollercoaster of emotions: “It’s important to handle it well. We have very good players, but there are games that have slipped away from us because it’s tough to play in this situation. We’ve had moments where we started losing; at 2-1 we lost the initiative, and then it was 3-2 from a corner. We scored the fourth quickly and then the fifth. In moments like these, you have to stay calm to make the best decisions. I think we did well; we don’t have to go crazy. We’ve won a tough match that does us a lot of good, but tomorrow we get back to work because we have a lot to do.”

Moving away from relegation: "The players have shown they’re alive, that they want it. Their commitment and daily work are good, and that’s what gets you through a match like this. They’re eager to turn the situation around. We have to keep going in the same direction and bravely prepare for the string of matches that will be vital. It’s very good for all of us. In Albacete we were in the relegation zone and now we’re +6. It’s not what we want, but we have to appreciate every step. We’re not going to celebrate anything at all, but we’ll have a quiet day and prepare to extend that lead.”

Lalo: “We’ll see. It looks good, but it’s a muscle issue. He’s a player who doesn’t stick to the schedule and comes back to play too soon because he’s so eager, but he’s felt something in his muscles. We’ll wait until tomorrow and hope for good news. That’s why we made the substitution.”

Diawara’s penalty: “We’ve thought about it a lot. We’ve had some tough situations, and we’d made the decision weeks ago. He hadn’t taken one since he was at Anderlecht, but he’s been practicing them for a month now, he’s taken on the responsibility, and it went well.”

Curbing the excitement: “We have to err on the side of excess, not fall short. The blow the other day was tough; it gave us a lot to talk about, and part of the reaction stems from what we’ve experienced in previous matches. We’ve won one game, and that’s it. We want more, and for that, we have to work.”

Personal situation: "I’m here to train as best as possible, knowing we’re coming off a coaching change. There are people who have chosen to be here, and we have to show that courage and composure in good times and bad. We have to keep our cool; having been in similar situations has probably helped me. We have to overcome everything, help the players—who I can tell are with me—and that’s the greatest asset there is. I’m calm about this match, and the next one too."