Pako Ayestarán: "I am expecting a tough tie against Deportivo"

Pako Ayestarán was surprised at the sacking of Pepe Mel as manager of Deportivo de La Coruña. "There are two things that are beyond trainers’ control. Everything boils down to your results and the urgent situations that arise. I watched Deportivo in their game against Girona and I a expecting a hard tie against them. Our preparation is more revolved around what we are doing, because we need to raise our game. What we are looking to do is to keep adjusting things in the team and that we will soon see the fruits of our labour". 

The Basque manager gave no clues as to his team’s line-up, although he hinted that Sergi Samper may make his debut for the yellows. "I will be putting out our strongest team possible to try to get a good result in the first leg. I am not concerned whether players have played more or less so far. I think the best thing is to put out those who I think will perform the best".