Mel: "We are now a little better off with Jonathan Viera and Pedri"

Pepe Mel recognised that "the sheer number of players we have had out has affected us a lot. It has been impossible for us to play with a settled side. The absence of Álvaro Lemos has hurt us a great deal. For this game we have got some important players back and we will be better with Jonathan Viera and Pedri", he stressed. "When all these players are on the pitch we look a much more solid side". The manager added that he is always grateful for support, in reference to statements by club president Miguel Ángel Ramírez, who has praised his efforts in times of adversity. However, Mel was quick to point out that "when we sat down to talk over the summer we agreed that the manager’s job was to assemble a side which would be competitive in the future, and that cannot be done in just 3 months. The players believe in the instructions given to them by the technical team". To end with, he said that his team is unbalanced in defence. "In the transfer market it all depends on the money you have available. If Jonathan Viera goes back to China, which looks likely, we will have to look to strengthen that area of the pitch"