Antonio Raíllo, Samu Costa, José Manuel Copete and Jagoba Arrasate spoke to media after our 1-1 draw with Athletic Club. Find out what they had to say below:
Antonio Raíllo:
On his assessment of the match: “We have to give merit to this point. I think we could have gone away with the three points if we had been able to control that attack after our goal, or if we had taken advantage of one or two opportunities. We have to give them a lot of credit, but also look for improvement.”
On the evolution of the last matches: “I believe that our essence is that of a team that fights hard, very supportive. I think that at times we were lacking, especially at the beginning of the second half of the season, we were a team that didn't play as well as we were used to. I think it was clear to all of us that we had to return to that essence.”
On winning: “Athletic, in the end, generate a lot of chances in their own half. I think they have generated little or none for us. We have a lot of merit for the defensive issue, for the team in general, very supportive. When we put on our work overalls, we are a very complicated team. I believe that if we follow that line, as a compact, hard and fighting team, we always have chances.”
On the goal: “It was a trained play, we have been rehearsing it all week, that we should look for the near post. Sergi's ball is very good, and when it goes with that tension, we just have to finish it off with everything.”
On a point: “It's a bit of a bitter point, I think we could have won the game. If I had scored it we would have won the game, but I missed it. I have to train more, keep going, me and the team. But, very proud, it's a very difficult team. We have five games in a row. Proud of the team, although we have to remain humble, we still have another war next matchday.”
On his evaluation of the match: “More than a great game, I think we played like animals. We returned, we are returning, to being the team we used to be: competitive and hard-working.”
Jagoba Arrasate:
On the match: “I'm happy, especially with the sacrifice made by the team, who played a good match. We had to suffer at the end, but when you do a great job and are rewarded with a point, you can be happy. If we start to qualify, it's a pity that we conceded that goal so often, losing Samu's chance. It's true that at the end they pressed us and we had to suffer, but that's fine. One more point, let's see if we can get a victory on Saturday, if so, we would reach the break with 40 points, which is what we want.”
On the possible victory: “I think that a draw here is always a good result for Mallorca. Another thing is that, when you get ahead, you have the feeling that you can win, or you miss the chance, like Samu's. But it's true that they squeezed us. But it's true that they pushed us hard at the end, we had to suffer. We have to take the point for granted, recover from this effort and think about Saturday with our people.”
On a streak of goals from set pieces: “It's a weapon that we have to exploit. It was a corner, I think, very well executed by Sergi Darder. And then Raíllo went all out. We need situations like that and today it was enough for us to get a point.”
On 37 points: “I think they're good, but when there's one game left before the break, we all want to leave with a good feeling, a win. I think leaving with 40 points would be great."
José Manuel Copete:
On a point: “I think it's important to score on this kind of pitch, to keep on scoring. It's difficult to score here, I think the team leaves happy. Despite the fact that we took the lead, it's quite difficult to score here. I think that, in general terms, the draw is fair.”
On the draw: “You never know, but maybe if we had held on a little longer, maybe we would have taken the three points. But well, I think Athletic also pushed, with a lot of help from their fans. They took advantage of one of the few, I think, lapses we had in the defensive line. I think a point is fair, we have to keep working, and try to do well next weekend: get the 3 points with our fans”.
On the team's defensive unity: “It's complicated, we had planned a game a bit like this, as it turned out: to be strong defensively, to be together and take advantage of the chances we were going to have, which we knew there weren't going to be many. I think the match, in general terms, went like that, I think the draw is fair and we have to continue.”
On the points streak: “I think we are returning to the line we had in the first round. In the end, all teams go through bumps, it's normal. Seasons are very long and this can happen. We see that there are many teams in positions with very few points of difference, that says of the equality of the league. In the end, mistakes penalize a lot, we have to be prepared and go all out next week. I think it's time to be together, that the fans support us, they help us a lot when they come. We have to push hard and I'm sure it will be easier to win."