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Luis García Plaza: ‘The team has shown the character that was required’

The boss reflected on our win over CD Leganés at the Visit Mallorca Estadi

Luis García Plaza was on post-match media duties after our 1-0 win over CD Leganés at the Visit Mallorca Estadi. Antonio Raíllo scored the only goal of the game in the 26th minute to end a winless run of form. Find out what the boss had to say below on the game, the race for promotion and Manolo Reina:

On the match and form...

"It was a game with a lot of disputes and also very physical. They forced us to play long. The match was difficult, but the team showed the character that this match needed. There was a lot of tension and knowing what was at stake, CD Leganés made it very difficult for us.

"Before starting the match, I showed them the league table and I broke it. The environment, and us, we only think about the league table - it's too early. We have to continue, there will be time to look at it at the end. For now, let them enjoy every game.

"Today I kept the block because the players had a thorn in their side. We have to think game by game. Right now, we have to go to Las Palmas to win. We have to get to the final matchdays with options.

"There have to be good and bad dynamics. We are not that good. The team is pulling out all the stops and is performing at its best. We are having a good second half to the season in terms of points. We have to keep picking up the pieces. It was important to win today. We were focused and we managed to win with a set piece.

"We had a dynamic that, in order to be at the top, we had to change. To be where we are, you have to have an almost perfect season. The other day we were bad, but there is still a long way to go. We have been in direct promotion for 22 matchdays – there’s a lot of merit in that, but we have to keep going.

On direct promotion and Reina's save...

"Manolo has given us an incredible hand. He is capable of everything and he is a goalkeeper who has many things about him. I've been with him for many years and the team trusts him a lot.

"I see Sporting doing very well. They are eight points behind us, but they are a difficult team and they are at our level. I see them as a rival that can catch up. There are 30 points left. There's a lot left and anyone can go through this streak.

"In Las Palmas there will be changes. We are going to try to bring in some fresher players because there are players who are tired and after these three matches we have played the team has to rotate.

"I want to thank the fans for the movement on social networks - especially to the people on Twitter. Today the victory goes for them and also for my father."