Antonio Hidalgo: Marc's absence is a huge blow for us | OneFootball

Dépor coach highlights his players’ reaction and effort in the second half

Deportivo de La Coruña manager Antonio Hidalgo spoke in the press room at Riazor after the draw against Real Betis. The Catalan coach was very pleased with his squad’s performance and commitment in the second half, praised the push from the Dépor fans, lamented Marc Casadó’s injury, and also gave his view on the game’s controversial incident.

Match assessment

"I’m very happy for the team, for the people… The players put in a tremendous effort, they knew how to react and stay alive in the game. What our fans give us is incredible; it makes a huge difference. They enjoyed it, and that’s what they come to the stadium for. We created enough chances in the second half to win the match; in the first we weren’t as comfortable. One more point against a very well-drilled team. Now it’s time to rest and think about what’s next."

Phases of the game

"The talent and level in the top flight, and the physical conditions of your opponents, force you to expose yourself more. Matches have different phases; we try to have different solutions. We’re matching up one-on-one against very talented players; you have to be careful or have a structure that can handle that. In the second half we understood very well what the team needed; the substitutions gave us freshness and I’m happy with the point."

Marc Casadó’s injury

"It doesn’t look good. He needs tests. We’ll see the extent of the injury, but it doesn’t look good. Losing Marc would be a huge blow for us. He’s a tremendously talented player who has shown it at Barça and with the Spanish national team, with great hunger and commitment. He wants to keep growing and made a big commitment to come here. We’ll have Amatucci and Villares in that position."

Villares rewarded with a goal

"When players of a very high level arrive… Villares has been evolving into a number 8 role; Amatucci and Casadó came in. The competition is very strong, but you have to be ready when your moment comes. He’s a captain and gets his reward with that goal in the top flight."

Diego Villares celebrating his first goal in the top flight. Source: RC Deportivo

Great start to the league campaign

"It’s been seven matchdays and we have ten points. Now it’s time to rest. They show great commitment and fight in every match. That’s putting us in a position where we’re always in games."

The controversial Cucho Hernández incident

"For me it’s a very clear red card. In a situation where Cucho moves his leg backward and makes contact with our player. It comes down to the referee’s interpretation, and I appreciate that he explained to me how he saw the play. It’s not easy for him to make that decision, but for me it’s a very clear red card. That’s the difficulty: making very quick decisions in very little time. You and I are both clear on how we would have acted. The referee saw it that way and he has a difficult job."

Amatucci’s fitness and the players affected by the virus

"It’s some discomfort in the adductor that doesn’t seem serious, but with so little time it was an unnecessary risk. Auba didn’t train at all during that viral illness. He gave us talent and presence. Mario went through it too; Altimira and Álvaro as well. It leaves you a bit weaker. They put in a tremendous shift. I didn’t know if Mario was going to finish the match; he finished well and I’m happy for them."

Managing minutes in a three-game week

"It was a three-game week and we had to manage the workload. Luismi had played in the other two; Adama is in that stage of gradually building up minutes. David has been training. He needs to be cheerful, happy, to show that boldness in the second half."

Outlook ahead of the international break

"It is what it is and we have to accept it. There’s room for improvement and some things to improve, especially in the defensive line so we can be more compact. Different combinations within our play; players who came in with less rhythm will have the chance to get it. I think that period is too long, but that’s the way it is,"

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.