Diego Martínez: "Tomorrow's match is worth more than just three points against a direct rival, and winning should excite all of us."
The Las Palmas coach emphasized, "I see the squad well-prepared and focused. Tomorrow is one of those games where both the team and the fans need to compete for the win."
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash with Deportivo Alavés, Martínez stressed the importance of belief: "The most important thing is to trust in what we do. I’m proud of the quality we have, both as players and as people." He added, "Winning is what matters. A victory changes the outlook and brings a more positive perspective on the future. I have great belief in the team, and I see them fully committed."
Some of his key statements:
"We played on Sunday and returned on Monday. The priority was to recover both mentally and physically. We have confidence. There was less time for technical preparation, but in these kinds of matches, the most important thing is mentality and staying focused. We’ve been competing in tough situations for a long time, and the team has always stepped up."
"Essugo and Viti will be out due to suspension, and Andy Pelmard is still recovering. If Mika can make it, that would already be a success—we’ll see if it’s possible."
"The emotional stakes are much higher here. Motivation is at its peak. This isn’t about individuals or names—this is about UD Las Palmas."
"We are fully focused on the matches. Our approach is the same with everyone at the club. We all understand that we need to win tomorrow—that's our goal. This week, I see everyone locked in. This is about all of us. The whole island needs to compete in this match. We can't ask anything more from the fans—they always give everything."