José Bordalás Discusses Match Preparations and Team Focus Ahead of Elche Clash

José Bordalás held a press conference on Thursday in anticipation of the match against Elche. The Alicante coach analyzed the upcoming opponent, asserting that the team is fully focused on the game and their mindset is on the match, despite suffering a defeat to Atlético de Madrid on Sunday.

Regarding the recent loss, Bordalás stated, “That is behind us; we must turn the page. We are focused on the match against Elche. The players’ minds are already set on tomorrow’s game.”

When discussing Elche, he remarked, “We respect all our opponents and their coaches, regardless of their experience. Elche is doing some interesting things, but we are concentrating on our own work. The players are eager and motivated.”

Addressing the injuries to Mario and Abqar, he acknowledged, “Losing players is a significant setback at any time, and given the squad’s situation, it adds further difficulty. We are focused on finding solutions and are not dwelling on those who are unavailable. We have complete faith in our team, and the players are eager to secure a victory.”

On player Neyou, he confirmed, “He is in good shape, has trained well with the group, and is available for selection.”

Regarding player fatigue, he noted, “It’s evident what I mentioned to a colleague earlier; the physical strain on a limited squad is significant. We have an excellent medical team, and the players have been doing exceptionally well. We have the utmost confidence in our athletes, who are ultimately the key players.”

When discussing respect for coaches, he expressed, “I feel that we are respected; our work is substantial. Those who criticize us often lack knowledge of the situations we face and the conditions we navigate.”

On the topic of Ángel Torres and the winter transfer market, he stated, “The president makes the decisions. He always shares his thoughts and has extensive experience in football. We have discussed it with him and the sporting management; we understand that it won’t be easy. The winter market is challenging, but we know the team needs to bring in additional players.”

Discussing possession against Elche, he remarked, “You cannot always maintain ball possession, as the opponent applies pressure. They are a team that attempts to win duels and often commits fouls. It may seem that we can align styles, but it is much more complex than that.”

On the necessity for reinforcements, he insisted, “We cannot divert our attention from what is essential; we are at a critical moment in the league. Everyone is working in the same direction, focusing on the team and striving to accumulate as many points as possible.”

Regarding Álvaro Rodríguez, he said, “He is a great kid who unfortunately arrived without having undergone a pre-season and was even injured. A player like him, who needs to be physically fit, found it challenging, but he is a wonderful individual, and we value him highly here.”

In response to Rubi’s complaints, he commented, “We all have our grievances. I also voiced my concerns when we were in Mallorca. When one feels wronged, they tend to complain, but I respect the referees’ work, which is very challenging and often leads to debates. I will not comment on the complaints of others.”