An exclusive interview with right winger Salvi Sánchez. The player from Sanlúcar spoke to the club’s official media team about the team’s early days in LaLiga, both on a personal and a collective level. He also talked about how he felt about his debut in the top flight of Spanish football.
Adapting to LaLiga Santander
The team’s doing well, although in the opening game they [Osasuna, 0-2] gave us a shock to the system as a welcome to LaLiga Santander. We’ve recovered well since, we are taking our chances, and we are not making many mistakes. We are pleased because we’ve started well and we’re feeling good. We’re on the right track.
Primera debut
I thought about my loved ones. My father, my mother, those closest to me. My wife, my children. All of them. I also reminded myself of the people who told me that this moment would never come. One of those was an English teacher I had in high school, who told me that I would never get anywhere. I thank him for putting that pressure on me. Here I am, enjoying what I do and it's really cool playing in this league.
First Primera goal
I was so happy when I scored the goal because it put us ahead in a really difficult match. We were playing against a team that had won the Europa League. A respected team when it comes to European competition.
Top flight goal number 400 for Cádiz
They sent me a message telling me about it and I was very happy to become a part of the history. It’s incredible to leave your mark on the history of a club where people like Mágico González and Pepe Mejías have played. It's so good to put your name there because we all know that although time ticks on, the names are remembered. It's a continuous cycle and it's vey nice.
Difference between LaLiga Santander and LaLiga SmartBank
Well, they destroy you here. If you make a mistake, they destroy you. You know you can't commit any errors because they will score. You have to be on your guard throughout the whole game. The quality of their passing is clear, because if you make a mistake in a certain area of the pitch you’ll pay for it. In the Primera there are international players and with even the slightest gap they can score against you.
Cádiz’s move from the Segunda B to the Primera
It will always remain as part of my own personal story. For my life, my children, my grandchildren. I’ll always be the player who started in the Segunda B and managed to reach the Primera. I’m trying to fully enjoy it. It’s a great thing and hopefully it will act as motivation for all the kids who are just starting out in the regional teams. All those who dream of playing for Cádiz in the Primera now know that it can be done with hard work, sacrifice and humility.
Advice from Álvaro Cervera
We know the gaffer well, we know where we can’t mess up, and where we can cause the opposition problems. We know how demanding each training session is. We know that he doesn't favour anyone in particular, no matter what your name is. I have grown as a player and as a person. I used to be impulsive but now I'm more calm, knowing the right time to do things. I know how to get through the pain barrier on the field. Cervera has taught me a lot, both in regards to football and life. The fighting spirit is non negotiable, and that applies on the pitch and in life. Things will happen but we must always stay positive. That has been important in my career and in my life.
The goal against Eibar was pure Salvi
I'm a supporting player who helps out my teammates. I have to be tactically and mentally prepared for the counter-attack. It's a strength of mine and I have to make the most of it.
A wish for end of the league
That the pandemic ends as soon as possible, and that no more lives are lost along the way. That we stay at home. There will be time to celebrate. We must be responsible, especially those of us who have children - I only leave the house for the right reasons. That we observe the guidelines set by the government even though we don’t like them. We must overcome this pandemic and the team must stay in this division - these are the two things I ask for this season.
