Current coach of India. Manolo Marqueztake a few days off in Barcelona to visit family; “I haven’t been here for Christmas in four years.”admits MARCA. In just 24 hours in Spain, they stand on TV to watch the two teams they have in the first division.
ASK What’s your job like with the Indian team?
ANSWER: It’s different from what I used to do at the clubs. There is little time for training and the time we have on the pitch is a lot of tactical work and a lot of videos. So far we’ve only played four friendlies, but we have the Asian Cup play-offs. where the official meetings will begin.We are in transition and rejuvenating the election.
Q.- Let’s look at the match between Las Palmas and Espanyol, two teams you know well…
R. Espanyol arrive in deep waters and I think it will be a trap game for Las Palmas. Diego Martinez said in the preview that it will be a day of patience for UD and I think the ball will go to UD and “Espanyol” will wait behind to counterattack. I also think that there will be few goals. A win for UD would go the distance, but a loss puts Espanyol in contention and that could reset nerves on the island.
Q: You have a great friendship with Manolo Gonzalez, what is the Espanyol coach like in short distances?
R. I know him from his days as a player and also as a coach at Badalona. I spoke to him last week. He is a hard-working, methodical guy who always gets results. It is worth breaking through to the first division. The group is always their key, because the players are connected. Their football is not very attractive, but it is getting results.
Q: Espanyol haven’t started yet, what do you think is the reason?
R. Although Manolo Gonzalez organizes the team very well, he has a rather limited and very fair squad for the first division. Signatures are not measured. They have a top goalkeeper, yes, but it is difficult for them to create. In the middle of the field they have no builders and up top, although they have Puado, they have not succeeded with the nine.
P. Las Palmas has found its way, were you waiting?
R. I have to admit that I’m a fan of Carrion, but football has those things where the results don’t quite work out. With Diego Martinez, they’ve had an incredible run. The difference from last season is that Las Palmas now have a goal with Sandro, Moleiro and Fabio Silva.
H. Unlike Espanyol, UD made a lot of signings, do you think the Canarian identity has been lost in the team?
R. It’s not easy. Sometimes when things go wrong, you try to get players from outside. It also depends on the rubbish that comes from the lower categories. Many of them, like Kyrian, Fabio and Benito, were with me team, and I saw that they would become professionals.