Giráldez on return to Europe: It's a privilege, 2 years ago not top flight | OneFootball

Coach and player spoke to the media ahead of tomorrow’s match against Omonia.

Today, Claudio Giráldez had company when speaking to journalists in Larnaca. Miguel Román, who seems to have earned his stripes not only on the pitch but off it as well, was the one tasked with appearing at the press conference alongside his coach. There, they spoke about the start to the season that has the fans so concerned, the dream of returning to European competition, and how the player from Gondomar fits into the team.

How the team is feeling after a long trip: "We’ve arrived incredibly excited. Being back in Europe excites us. That outweighs everything else. We’ve only had one session to prepare for the match, which is why we’ve brought 25 players, to see who is ready to be part of the 23. We’ll have the team in good enough shape to play, and our heads will make up for anything our legs might be lacking."

On Omonia: "We’ve watched a lot of their matches. We know they have a lot of ability to hurt you. They are very good at attacking spaces, both in transition and in positional play, and they are also an organised team. They and Pafos are the dominant sides here in Cyprus. We have to be at our best, with a high level of concentration, to avoid the spaces they handle so well.

Borja, Febas and Jones: "They’re just about making it. After today’s training session we’ll give them some time to assess the impact of it. That’s what will determine the squad list, and we’ll see whether all three are available tomorrow or whether one of them misses out."

(To Román) on his return after missing the tie against Freiburg: "It’s been quite a few months now that I haven’t been able to play because of the injury. Today, when I was able to step onto the pitch and see the signs, I felt those butterflies inside again. I’m delighted to be here again."

What differences and similarities he sees between the start of this season and last one: "Too many similarities for our liking, especially in the results. We’ve seen less of goal than last year, but we’ve also conceded less. There’s a positive side, which is that we already have 2 clean sheets, something we didn’t manage last season. I think that last year, of the first 6 matches, we were superior in 3; this year, in 4 or even 5, we’ve had chances to win them. I’m happy with the team’s progress. We’re not at the level I’d like yet, but we haven’t had the finishing touch or the luck to turn our good spells into goals, and that has punished us too much in the not-so-good moments."

The same referee from the same defeat against Ludogorets is back: "I knew about the referee because we want to be in control and know what they’re like. It’s an anecdote. Everything that happens to us has to be a learning experience, and in a competition like this everyone is at a similar level, so taking on a role of superiority or inferiority is a mistake. At the end of the match we’ll see which of the two teams was better, and hopefully it will be us."

(To Román) The team’s improvement against Málaga: "Obviously we care about results, but the team is improving steadily. We feel more comfortable all the time, and what better way to change the dynamic than tomorrow in the Europa League. We’re going to try to approach it that way."

Have you decided on tomorrow’s goalkeeper?: "Yes, I’ve decided, and I’m not going to say."

What is behind Javi Rodríguez’s recent absences: "A little yes and no. He hasn’t had a physical problem as such, but he did make an effort to be available for the first league matches despite not having much preparation because of a non-existent preseason. Between joining a bit later and the back discomfort he had in preseason, I think we pushed him to play too many minutes. That’s why we’ve decided to stop him for a few matches so he can train without pain and be ready to give his best level. He’ll be back on the pitch with us soon. You know he is a player I trust completely, but these are matters of fitness levels or small issues that keep you from being at your best. I have no doubt he’ll be back to that level soon."

(To Román) about where he feels most comfortable on the pitch: "It’s true that I’ve spent a long time playing as a 6. With Claudio at Fortuna I adapted to the 8 position, but the important thing for me is to play."

(To Román) how he deals with low blocks: "I feel comfortable in central areas. Getafe was a particular case because Terrats dropped in with me and gave Marcos space. I operate well in that area."

Getting used to Europe: "I’m glad to get a positive question. It feels like a privilege to be here. Two and a half years ago I wasn’t coaching in the top flight. Less than a year and a half ago I was managing in Primera RFEF. Now we’re here at a press conference before a Europa League opener for the second year in a row, with the second generation of Celta players to play in Europe in consecutive seasons. It’s a tremendously happy day. I’m very proud of the club, of the players, of the path that has brought us here. We mustn’t get used to it, and hopefully in years to come we can say that we did. I’m really eager for it to start and to enjoy it because of how difficult it is. Our history proves that, and for me it’s a dream to be the coach."

To the 60 “brave ones” travelling from Vigo to watch the match: "I want to thank the fans for their support. I think unity between the players and the fans is essential. We know people have work and personal commitments. We thank them for coming and tell them that we need their support, which we know we always have."

On his conversation with Román: "I don’t know why I even say anything (laughs). I’m going to tell a story. I wanted to sign Miguel for Porriño when he was in the youth ranks at Gondomar. Then I lost track of him a bit, and I called him again because I still had his number written down when he was already playing as a ‘10’ at Bouzas. In the academy he also played there and at first he was reluctant to changes. Sometimes it’s still hard for him to switch from ‘6’ to ‘8’. When he started playing as an ‘8’ at Fortuna, he looked more comfortable facing the game, like at Pontevedra. When we moved him to ‘6’ in the first team, he saw himself more as an ‘8’. When you’re good, you have the ability to adapt to nearby positions. He ended up as a 6, but he started out playing as an 8. He has a lot to offer in all 3 positions."

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