Cádiz CF centre-back Marcos Mauro spoke to the media via video link from the club’s training ground on Thursday, discussing how he and the rest of the squad are feeling as they prepare to host FC Barcelona in LaLiga Santander on Saturday.
The defender says he is over his recent injury issue. “Injuries are always bad news for a player,” he said, “but with the help of the group, the rehabilitation specialists and the club physios, you can come through them. I feel good; I’m just focusing on getting game time under my belt and helping the team to achieve its goals.”
Mauro is an important part of Álvaro Cervera’s recently-promoted side. “I wanted to keep my mind off the [contract] situation [last season], but it can affect you when your deal is expiring,” he said. “With the help of my team-mates, I didn’t feel the pressure. What I wanted was to get game time and help my team-mates to achieve our goal [of reaching the top flight], and that’s what happened.”
Looking ahead to facing Barça, he declared: “A huge club are visiting on Saturday, but we’re ready to go out there and win the three points. We’ll look to play to our strengths and put in a focused display, and hopefully we can come away with the points.”
Asked about the importance of Lionel Messi’s expected return to the Barça line-up, Mauro said: “We know they’ll be coming here with the best players in the world, and I imagine they’ll look to maintain their footballing philosophy. Regardless of whether or not Messi plays, we’ll try to put in a good performance and win the three points. We’ll look to approach the game in the best way possible.”
On Cádiz goalkeeper Conan Ledesma, he said: “He’s a keeper with a lot of games under his belt. He’s a cheery lad, he’s a good team-mate and he’s doing well. He can’t wait for Saturday’s game and he’s desperate to play his part in our first home win of the season.”
