Asier Garitano: "We have to show our confidence, conviction and belief in what the team does and its improvement"

C.D. Leganés manager, Asier Garitano, answered a press conference on their upcoming visit to Gijón on Friday at 21:00 CEST, their fifth league fixture in the season so far.

The coach expressed his optimism that the team's last performance at Ipurua would help them reinforce the positive sides to their game: "Each time we've come out we've got better. The way we had to compete for that point in Ipurua will certainly help us bring the same commitment to any situation. We have to show our confidence, conviction and belief in what the team does, and we have a great opportunity before us to take on, against the league leaders, at a big stadium, with a vibrant atmosphere... I believe we can give a strong account of ourselves". 

Garitano went on to confirm the absences of Avilés, Arnaiz and the three internationals, Omerouo, Shibasaki and Bárcenas: "The fixture date was set for Friday and though we might have been able to play on Saturday or Sunday to give the players a little more rest since some return that same day. It's true we were aware of the schedule and when you prepare the squad you know you can't count on certain players. They won't be available for the game tomorrow. We'll see how Gaku is after a few days out when tomorrow comes round".

"Sporting is a certain rival for promotion that's in good form and who will ask a lot from us"

Asier is totally focussed on bringing all three points back to Madrid: "One point would be acceptable depending how the game unfolds. We go with the mentality to take the game for ourselves, but I don't feel under pressure. We know it's difficult and we're far from where we want to be, so we'll keep fighting our corner. There's a lot of aspects which aren't working, but with the assurance that we'll keep working hard we'll lose any anxiety over it. Our results haven't give us the most favourable start, but we all believe in the project here and the team's potential. We have to focus on this next match agaisnt a sensational opponent, a certain rival for promotion that's in good form and who will ask a lot from us". 

The coach from Bergara is confident in the team's ability to develop day by day in this competitive league: "The Segunda División has always been this way. It's a tough league, every team had quality players and in every single match you have to give your best if you want to get anywhere. I hope we keep improving as we have been so we can start winning more points. We can't worry on what's happened, we have our points and from there we work for more, but we need to learn how to cope with whicever situation we find ourselves in". 

"From the first week of preseason it was clear the kind of quality Naim could bring us, he has a lot of talent and he can play whenever needed"

When questioned on the players like Eraso or Bustinza who have made less of an appearance this campaign, Garitano stated "no one is untouchable: this has been and will always be the way. Eraso had a problem shortly before the Ibiza game but we're already bringing him back into fold. Bustinza's game has also been getting better each day. They're players that offer us a lot and participate in all of this so they're very important to us".

Garitano had a lot of praise for one of the younger squad members, Naim García, who has featured in their last four games: "From the first week of the preseason it was clear the kind of quality Naim could bring us. He's been nuancing his game, there's a lot to learn still, but that comes with more minutes on the pitch. He's a very humble boy, absorbs everything around him and has a lot of talent, and he can play whenever needed".