Calderón: "On Sunday we are going to put our lives on the line"

"We desperately need to win", said the manger 

Following N'Diaye's presentation, Gabriel Calderón gave his pre-match press conference prior to Sunday's game against RCD Espanyol. For the manager this is another final, "another ninety minutes. We have 17 finals left to play and we all know how important Sunday is to us". In relation to Baptistao he affirmed that "Leo has been having problems since I got here, he hasn't trained with the group so far this week, we shall see tomorrow. He is not 100% fit".

His feelings after the Celta match: "In truth we were all sad that we lost the match because of some individual mistakes. I was happy with the first 20 minutes but even happier with the following 45 minutes in which the team didn't give up and took it on the chin. What is more, the players have worked hard this week".

Tactical formation: "A team that concedes a lot of goals in two matches has to look for balance. We have to find the formula with which we are solid in defence and at the same time creating scoring opportunities. We have to find that balance".

N'Diaye: "He pays in midfield but in France he played in defence. I asked him before he came if he had any problem with playing in defence and he said that he didn't. If we play with three fullbacks he will be the sweeper. He will play in these positions, either in defence or as a defensive midfielder. We are currently working with a defensive line of three, we have to be a unit. The players are working hard and I think they are happy. They are sad about the situation but they are working with enthusiasm and they have a ferocious appetite for victory".

The match against Espanyol: "On Sunday we are going to put our lives on the line, we have to; and those fans who are watching the match should be proud of their team. I accepted this challenge because of the faith I have in the fans and now I have seen how the team has responded with hard work. But we are still in the same situation. I have always been a hard worker who doesn't say much just keeping his head down. The players are working hard, when I came they were in a bad way but now they are smiling which is really important. During the second half of the match at Vigo they played like real men and they took the battering on the chin".

Figures: "I do not base my work on calculations, mathematically we can do it but we desperately need to win a match. The team knows they are indebted to the supporters. We cannot be thinking about points only about winning the next match. Calculations are bad. In football you are never lost, except when you think you cannot win. I have never done that and I am not going to start now".

The stands: "We cannot ask anything of our fans as the feelings they have at the moment are completely justified. They are going to be there. The obligation is on us. The attitude of the team right from the first minute will motivate them".

Rubén Castro: "In Vigo I saw a goal scorer, committed at that; this week he has worked well scoring some goals in the training matches that show incredible skill. He is committed and he is important to us. We need to get the team working as a block because with him up front we can get goals, at this moment in time he is on top form".

The market: "The winter market is tough and I truly think we have got some new players who are going to bring something to the team. I am not thinking about whether anyone else is going to join the team or not, I'm just thinking about Sunday's match".

Your debut as a manager at Villamarín: "I have been waiting for this moment 27 years and 6 months. It is my dream".