Tajonar, Spain (Friday, April 19, 2024) - Head coach Jagoba Arrasate addressed the media before tomorrow's match against Rayo Vallecano at Estadio de Vallecas. Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. CET (3:15 p.m. BST/10:15 a.m. ET). During his press conference, the rojillo gaffer said, "This is not the first time in Primera División that we've been in a similar situation toward the end of the season, and the team has always responded, wanting more and getting results in tough venues. Tomorrow won't be the exception. Seven games are left, and we are heading to Vallecas with high hopes. We like that venue because football is truly lived. Plus, some of our fans are heading there, and that's a huge incentive to try to win tomorrow."

Regarding Rayo Vallecano, led by his former player Iñigo Pérez, the Berriatua native said, "They are a team that wants to play and overpower you; their full-backs go deep, their three midfielders are dynamic – they have that – but they are also a well-balanced team. In seven games, there haven't been many chances created against them, and they have three clean sheets, which speaks about what Iñigo Pérez wants. Beyond wanting a more attacking playing style than a defensive one, he cares about being organized." "With Francisco, they would have clean sheets, but when they would concede, they conceded many goals. However, they have kept many clean sheets. I think they continue to have that balance. When they have the ball, they want to be the protagonists. They will likely try to do what they tried to do the other day: play with their midfield from the get-go and have [midfielder Óscar] Trejo lead. We will see who plays on their wings and as their center forward. They have changed that. It's a venue we like to visit. Everyone loves Vallecas, and I hope it will be an attractive game."

The 45-year-old coach was also asked about the difficulty of facing a team fighting to avoid relegation. "Every match is tough. Yes, they are only six points above the relegation line, but they are a well-balanced, tough team. It's hard to create chances against them; they play at a challenging venue and have much at stake, but so do we. When you start thinking you don't have as much stake as the opponent, that tips the balance. It has to be an important game for both sides," he said.