Diego Martínez spoke in the press room at the Estadio Gran Canaria, stating that this Sunday's match "will be tactically exciting. They’re in good form, they’re a historic club, and it’s a game that could easily belong in the first division."
Here are some of his key statements:
"After the Christmas break, it’s always a bit challenging. This will be a very exciting and thrilling tie."
"Eder is a great coach, he has his team in excellent shape, and he knows this club well. It will be a tough, complex, and exciting match."
"I wish Fabio all the best. It’s normal in transfer windows for players to seek opportunities for more playing time. We’re grateful for everything he’s contributed to this club. Luis Helguera told me he had spoken with him about wanting to leave, and everything has been handled very naturally."
"I'm the coach, not the sporting director. I know they’re working hard, whether players leave or not, to have the best squad possible for the rest of this season and the next. We’re well-covered, and as a coach, my job is to get the most out of what I have."
"We’re a club with a strong loan policy, and I think that’s a good thing."
"When you look at the schedule before coming here, you think, ‘Wow!’ But we don’t operate out of fear. We’ve won six out of nine league games, which is extraordinary."
"We are very clear about where we come from, and focusing on the present is the most important thing. We need to aspire to achieve something extraordinary again."
"Joy is non-negotiable, and the thrill of putting on the jersey and competing should be a challenge in itself. I don’t think much about consequences—football is wonderful. The positive is that the day after tomorrow, we’re playing at a great stadium. We’ll need patience and composure."