Jagoba Arrasate looked ahead to our hosting of Atletico Madrid this weekend in his pre-match press conference. Find out what the boss had to say below:
On injuries: Valery is close to return. For Asano we hope that after the break and even next week he will be able to do more things and be close to returning. Lato got injured the other day and will be out for a few weeks. Marc Domenech will play with the reserve team. Cuellar is also injured.
On Johan Mojica: He has gone from strength to strength during the week. He has trained well and is available. Whether he's 100% or not, I'll tell you tomorrow at the end of the game.
On the importance of the game before the break: It's of the utmost importance, but above all because it's the next one and because we're playing at home again, where the team is getting better and better. Tomorrow we want to play a match on a par with Rayo and the first few minutes against Athletic to have a chance against a team we already know what they are capable of.
On Atlético de Madrid: We have to play without fear, but we have to be attentive and focused. They are a great team, with good players, an admirable coach.... That's what we're going to face. Now it's up to us to see what level we can give. If we play at the level we've been playing at home lately, it's going to be a tough game for them too.
On the game: Against this type of team you have to be at your best to have a chance. We've just come off the back of a bad game and we want to get back on track to find those good feelings and for the fans to connect with us as well. With that symbiosis, let's make it a great afternoon and let's hope we can beat a great team again.
On Dani Rodríguez, Sergi Darder and Omar Mascarell starting: I'm thinking about it, yes. I'm always thinking about the game plan, the condition of each player and how the pieces fit together. The same with the changes. If you can make five, the people who come off the bench are very important.
On his preference of Muriqi playing alone or with a partner: I'm not thinking about what is best for each player, but for the team. Larin and Muriqi are strikers that compliment others. Last year they played together in a 5-3-2 formation. This year we are opting more for a 4-4-2 and a 4-2-3-1. Just as they have played together, against Real played Abdón and Larin. There we have different possibilities. There are games in which I opt for two more specific strikers and others for a playmaker. It's a question of trying and improving during the week, and depending on the game plan, to choose one or the other.
On the international call-up for Dominik Greif: He has taken it naturally, but he is excited about it. He is doing well and this is another step forward. If this can give him more self-esteem and confidence, so much the better for everyone.
On if he expects a low-scoring game: I don't think so. I watch the games of Atlético and Mallorca and I see that we are two brave teams. That doesn't mean that we don't attach importance to defensive work, but I don't expect a 0-0 draw tomorrow.
On having various called-up players: There are six with their national teams. We have a lot of internationals and that's good, but I'm not going to kid you. Playing two games in four days, you're worried about whether he plays or not, if he has any problems, when he travels.... It's crazy. Luckily there won't be another break until March. It's good news, but it's true that I tend to look at it with some concern.
On a bad run of form against Atlético: I had a bad streak against Atlético and luckily last year we were able to break it and get a win (with Osasuna), but that doesn't tell me anything for tomorrow. I prefer to focus on what we have to do to have a chance of winning. The key, looking at both teams, is efficiency, but we're thinking about giving the same performance we gave against Rayo and Athletic because that brings us closer to competing against these types of teams.
On rotations in goal: I have two goalkeepers I like. Greif is playing more than Leo, but he was one of the few who did well in Vitoria. It's a way of getting both of them involved and at the moment I think it's going well.
