Kike Barja: “The Fans Want Us to Show Character, to Feel Proud of Their Team, and on Saturday We Have a Match to Do That”

Ahead of the decisive match that Club Atlético Osasuna will play this Saturday against Getafe CF, the club held a media availability to answer questions from reporters. Following training and standing on the pitch at El Sadar, team captain Kike Barja was the first to speak.

“We are aware of the situation we’ve put ourselves in, but we are also aware of the team we have, the level we have and what we’ve shown throughout the season. I have a lot of confidence in what we’re doing, in the team, in the way we trained today and in how we are preparing both physically and mentally. In that sense, I can only transmit calm because that’s what we ourselves need to create. We all know the importance of these matches and everything surrounding them. We have to block all of that out and naturally approach an important game that we are going to try to win,” he said.

The academy product went on to explain how the dressing room is approaching the final match of the campaign.

“I think that, many times, words are unnecessary. People want to see things on the pitch. I just think the team has to go into that match with the mentality that they will have to kill us to take away the treasure that is staying in Primera División. I’m from here, I’ve seen much tougher moments than this and, in the end, what keeps Osasuna moving forward is that connection between the fans and the team, that commitment and that desire to turn difficult situations around.

“That’s our motto because throughout our history it has shown that you must never surrender, that you have to fight until the end. When we have done that, Osasuna has achieved very important things and come through decisive moments thanks to the passion of the fans. I think we have to show that on Saturday.

“I’m sure people are tired of hearing these kinds of words and, of course, we understand the frustration because we know we have a very good team and it’s a shame how these last four matches have gone. But fortunately, on Saturday we have the chance to show it on the pitch. The pitch doesn’t lie — that’s where we have to speak. The fans want us to show character and, above all, to feel proud of their team. I think Saturday gives us a particularly good opportunity to do that.”

Braulio Vázquez: “We have to be responsible, but not blocked”

Sporting director Braulio Vázquez also addressed the media.

“We’ve reached this point because we’ve made mistakes in certain situations. A few weeks ago maybe we were looking elsewhere, but now we have to face it. I believe we have the team to achieve the objective we set every year, which is staying in the Primera División. We’ve made things difficult for ourselves, but that no longer matters.

“We trust in the team we have and in the quality of our players. I’ve seen how they finish matches and how they suffer day to day. As a former player, I know fear can block you, and if you’re afraid of making mistakes, you will make mistakes. We have to be responsible, but not blocked, because I think in some situations we have become blocked.

“These are players who have experienced other difficult situations and come through them. We’re not asking them to do anything they haven’t already done. Responsibility is necessary, but it cannot paralyze them. They have to be themselves,” he explained.

Luis Sabalza: “We have the team to overcome this situation”

The media session concluded with questions for Osasuna president Luis Sabalza, who wanted to express his support for the squad.

“I’m here to encourage the team and stand by them. It’s a very important match, probably one of the most important since I arrived here. We thought 42 points might be enough, but circumstances are different now.

“We’re heading into a match where, from what I’ve seen in the players and from what I feel myself, I’m optimistic because I believe we have a strong enough team to overcome this situation. I don’t think we need to focus on calculations. We’re going there to win, period.”