Borja Jiménez on Raba, Juan Cruz, Cissé, Duk, the defense, and the derby against Getafe

CD Leganés

What players are unavailable for the Getafe derby on Sunday (14:00)?

None. Apart from long-term injuries and Tapia's suspension.

Will it be a match to control possession?

Getafe is one of those teams that doesn't allow you much possession. They don't give you a chance. They press high. They take the game to places where they are comfortable, with pressure, duels... they win there. We believe that different match profiles might occur depending on the result. We are prepared.

In a derby like this, what does it invoke for you?

To a derby, of course... it's a match of great importance for the fans, a different match due to the atmosphere and what it entails. It's a special match with a greater emotional charge than other weeks. After the match, life will go on. For one team, or the other. If we win, we get closer to them and it would allow us to have more breathing room in the table. That's our mission. Trying to win to bring joy to the fans.

How important are the local and visiting fans here?

A lot, I'm convinced. We already experienced the derby in Getafe in early September. It was very nice. This one will be the same. We were the minority back then, but very loud. Here we will be the majority and it will surely be noticed. They will be crucial.

How important are these three points?

Very important. Being able to achieve victories in this stretch of the season, we can already see the lack of wins we have below. Winning is crucial. Hopefully, it will happen. We are aware of it.

There have been many changes in the left-back position... who will you go for?

I'm not going to tell you...

Duk has had minutes. Could he start?

Yes, he can play. He is a winger who needs the team to bring the ball to his area. He needs time. He is a pure winger, sticking to the line. That's where he feels most comfortable. He is powerful. He has characteristics similar to Juan Cruz on the right. Or Óscar, if he plays out wide.

Is it key to recover defensive solidity?

In all aspects. We have talked about this many times. We have to keep the number of goals conceded low. We need defensive solidity and to capitalize on the chances we create.

Players like Juan Cruz or Cissé have dropped in intensity...

I think individual performances are influenced by both the team dynamic and each player's situation. It's a bit of both. Cissé is coming back from injury. It's normal. In these two matches, we substituted him to prevent a relapse. It's crucial for us. Juan is playing in a position where it might be more challenging for him. As I've said before: we have two good players for the same position, him and Raba. Right now, we are opting for Raba there. But Juan will return to his best form.

After these results, do you fear a loss of confidence in the team?

We understand how this works. When you don't win, criticism increases along with doubts about what you're doing. It's common. I wouldn't like it. We need to regain our best version. I said it after the Anoeta match the other day to convey confidence to our people and get results.

In Leganés, there are no contract renewals like in other teams... does that make a difference?

It shouldn't. It shouldn't affect us. In three months, our contracts end, but we are focused on achieving the goal of staying in the league because we are very professional. It's the only thing we think about. When it's over, there will be plenty of time for each one to decide where they want to be.

The team has slipped recently, why?

The week of the Rayo match, given how it happened, the penalties... then going to Valencia, Borna's injury... it has affected us a lot psychologically. We had the Alavés match and then the other day's. We are looking for ways for the team to feel comfortable. We've been good in some matches, in others, we haven't been lucky... you can draw from the work. It's the only way. Work on the players' confidence. So they have good feelings.

The past of some players in both teams... could it increase tension?

I don't think it should increase tension at all. I know Nyom perfectly well, and if he said he regrets his celebration in the derby here, it's because he feels it. He's a top professional. A player who helped us ascend last year. He taught us so many things. Tomorrow, he will give his all for Getafe as he always does with any team.

Can the emotional aspect weigh more than the tactical? Would entering relegation places affect it?

We are prepared, because regardless of not being in there, we are fighting for survival. It wouldn't surprise us. We have to appreciate the merit of not being in the relegation zone yet. It doesn't really help... but we are prepared for what could happen. From then on, the derbies are different. The emotional factor comes into play more than in other matches. It might be less tactical.

In Anoeta, Juan Cruz was highlighted negatively... has he internalized that he needs to be a wing-back?

I don't see Juan well. I don't single him out. I don't know if someone does, I don't. We made a change because we wanted to have one more player inside. We weren't creating much width on the outside. We thought that with Óscar and the full-backs, we could have more depth. Juan is one of those players who gives you depth if you give him the ball. He provides it in one-on-one situations. We have two very good players in that position. Right now, Dani is doing very well. Players just want to play. If you ask him if he prefers playing on the left or not playing... he will tell you he wants to play on the left.