First Team
14 February - 13:00
Vicente Moreno: 'I Believe in This Team, the players, and El Sadar'
Osasuna head coach Vicente Moreno held a press conference this morning ahead of tomorrow's match against Real Madrid at El Sadar. Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. CET (3:15 p.m. GMT/10:15 a.m. ET).
"It couldn't be more exciting. We're talking about a top-level match in every way. I understand this is one of those games you mark on the calendar for our fans because of everything it represents and its impact. We will enjoy it while fully aware that it will be a difficult match. We're talking about—I don't know if I should say the best team in the world or one of the best—but obviously not because I say so, but because of what they achieve year after year. That makes it a tough challenge, and we need to play this game together," Moreno said.
He added, "In these matches, we need to play as a family—all of us who make up Osasuna. Not just those on the field, not just those of us near the pitch, but also those in the stands, and I'd even say you (the media). This is a match to enjoy, to face together, and to play as a united Osasuna family."
Moreno also spoke about Real Madrid, calling them "an unpredictable team."
"You might think they will run more, but then they play more positionally, and their quality is undeniable. Sometimes, they dominate physically; other times, it's because of their tactical intelligence and the preparation of their coaching staff. They have so many options and are so good in every aspect that anything can happen," he said. "So, we don't just focus on one thing; we have to see it as a whole and understand that we must perform well in every game phase."
"But I insist—I believe in this team, our players, and El Sadar, which gives us so much. Let's see if that combination works for us tomorrow," he added.
Moreno also acknowledged the global attention the match will receive.
"When these kinds of matches are played, they are on screens all over the world. That's the reality. They have a huge impact and significant following. So, we have to approach it naturally, be aware of the difficulty, but also use it as motivation because it's not every day you get the chance to play against these teams," he said.
"We have to focus much more on ourselves—on what depends on us, on playing the best match we can, on giving our best. As I said, we have to face the game as a family, both on and off the field. And from there, we'll see if they don't have their best day. Of course, it's also up to us to make sure they don't, even though we know it won't be easy," he concluded.