Mario Soriano: Every point counts in this division | OneFootball

The attacking midfielder from Madrid analyzes Dépor’s start in the First Division and his contract situation

Mario Soriano spoke to the media to assess the current situation at Deportivo de A Coruña during this first international break of the season. The blue-and-white midfielder highlighted the team’s strong form, how quickly the newcomers have adapted to the top flight, and the special chemistry he has with Diego Villares on the pitch, while also addressing issues from the last matchday such as Soto Grado’s refereeing and his teammate Marc Casadó’s surgery.

His connection with Diego Villares

"I’ve been with Villares since the first year I arrived here, except for the year I wasn’t here. We have a super good relationship; we understand each other really well. On the pitch it’s very easy with him. Whenever I see him breaking through the second line, it’s easy to spot him because with the stride he has, you can see him. We understand each other very well. I’m really happy for him because he has always been here; he’s from here and all his family is always around. I’m very happy for him, and hopefully he keeps scoring many more and everything goes superbly for him."

Assessment of the league start

"The assessment is positive. We have good points; we’ve picked up a lot of points so far. Hopefully everything continues this way and we keep adding points."

Consistency in the team’s performances

"We expected to start in the best possible way and that’s how it has been. We’ve had those matches where it looked like we were dropping points, but we’ve always stayed in the game with that chance of getting something from it. It’s very important to try to get something from every match, and that’s how it has been. Every point in this division has to be valued, because we know it’s very difficult; now it’s time to rest and, when we come back, keep picking up points."

Demands and competitive level in the First Division

"At the start, in the first matches, there was uncertainty about what the games were going to be like. We knew the pace would be higher and that everything would be decided by even finer details; if it was already like that in the Second Division, in the First Division even more so. That’s how it’s been. The players are on another level, much better; that’s what the divisions are for. All of us who have made our debut in this one are showing that we can play at this level. Hopefully everything stays the same or gets even better."

The incident between Cucho Hernández and Ximo Navarro

"Live, I didn’t know what was happening, whether he got hit in the head or not. It’s true that Ximo got a small cut and was bleeding. From there, VAR alerted the referee and he went to review it. I think that if you don’t give anything live or you call a foul, then fine; but if VAR calls you over… I think it’s different. It has to be decided in another way, at the very least a yellow card. It was decided that way; in the end there are mistakes and correct decisions, like with everyone. We have to move on; sometimes it will go our way and other times it won’t."

Mario Soriano under Antony’s watch during the match. Source: RC Deportivo

Marc Casadó’s health update

"Good, they operated on him quickly after the match and everything went well. He told me last night that it had gone well, with a bit of pain, and from now on it’s about recovering so he can return as soon as possible, with patience and calm. Sending him lots of encouragement, all the strength of the group, and he’ll soon be back helping us."

Managing the friendlies during the break

"This break is long because it’s two weeks without competing in the league, but it’s true that we’re going to play on Friday and next week I don’t know if there will be another match to keep up the rhythm and the weekly routine. It’s also for the players who have had fewer minutes or who didn’t complete the full preseason, so they can keep building that match rhythm. In that sense it’s good. On the other hand, so much time without competing is difficult; but it has to be done because that’s how the schedule is set up. Time to train, compete in these friendlies, and come back better."

Current status of his contract renewal talks

"It’s true that some things were discussed, but it stayed there. That’s not my side of things or my job; I do my job on the pitch and off it, and the people involved will decide whatever they want or whatever they agree on. I’m calm, I’m going to do my job and from there we’ll see what happens."

Rotations and changes in the system

"Physically, I’m fine. It’s true that the squad is much deeper and there are more players; the level has gone up and that’s better for everyone. There are rotations and that’s what comes with having such a large squad. The coach decides to change some players or others and that’s it, I have nothing more to say on that. You already know what the coach is like, that he tries to use players in different positions or change quite a few things to make us better and to have plenty of options in mind during matches. That’s very good for us and the new players have adapted well. We have to keep going; the important thing is to adapt to everything and pick up points to help the team, with everyone doing their bit."

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