Left-back Luis Alfonso Espino spoke to the press by video-conference ahead of Saturday’s game against Real Madrid. “I’m doing great, the problems are in the past. A break worked wonders to recharge our batteries,” he said.
Big game against Real Madrid. “It’s a beautiful game to play in. It’s one of those games you always dream about playing in. And now it’s not a dream, it’s a reality, and we need to compete as hard as possible.”
Playing for Uruguay is a dream for Pacha (as he’s known). “Playing for the national side is a dream. It’s true that being in the top flight makes it a possibility, but for now it’s only a dream and one you have to fight for.”
Fully adapted to the position. “The full-backs know the role we have in the team and what we need to do. Each of us knows what we have to do, the coach has clear ideas, we know them, we know his thinking and we have to do what we always do.”
Tough game against Real Madrid. “We know we’re facing a difficult rival, one of the best in LaLiga. We’re going to compete and to play to win, we’re not going there saying we’re going to lose. We’re going to play, to compete. As if it were just another game.”
Preparing the same as for any other game. “The preparation is the same as for all the games. It’s true there are better players. In this league there are some amazing players and every weekend you’re facing tough opposition. You have to prepare just like you do for every game. The preparation and the focus is the same.”
Differences with LaLiga SmartBank (the second division). “Everything here is so exciting, because being in Primera itself is exciting. This is now reality. You have to compete against every side. We’ve played at San Mamés, we’ll play at the Wanda, Camp Nou, etc. That said, the stadium doesn’t matter, you have to enjoy it as it deserves to be enjoyed.”
Not talking about the referees. “I don’t like to talk about the referees, I’m not like that. It’s just like everything - everyone does their job and doesn’t need to look at what others are doing. The points we’ve got are what we’ve got and we need to look to the future. If we lost against Sevilla it’s because we played badly, if we drew against Granada it’s because we were lacking something, and that’s the way it always is. We need to keep improving.”
Medina was the last Cádiz player to score against Real Madrid in Madrid. “I haven’t talked with Cacique Medina, but I did know he scored against Madrid. I prefer to defend and let someone else score.”
Self-imposed standards of excellence. “My way of being - Uruguayan, South American - we’re very competitive. We always want to win, no matter what, and we want to always improve. It’s always good to be competing against somebody to really push you on, but the person who really drives me on is myself.
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