Abel Segovia: "Children should not have to see things they should not see"

Photo: Diario Xerecista

The Xerez CD coach wants the Copa del Rey derby against Cádiz CF to be a celebration of football and an example for the youngest fans. He believes his team can compete against a Segunda División side, announces changes to the line-up and admits that the state of the Chapín pitch worries him.

Xerez CD host Cádiz CF at Chapín this Wednesday at 21:00, in a Copa del Rey tie that has generated great anticipation. At the pre-match press conference, Abel Segovia argued that his squad has the tools to take on opponents from a higher division.

A message for both sets of fans

Segovia appealed to both sets of supporters, with a full house expected in the stands: "I ask for it to be a celebration of football and for us to show the whole of Spain what we can become. Let there be cordiality, respect and rivalry properly understood. Above all, that children don't see things they shouldn't see; we have to set an example because we move a lot of people".

Motivation, Xerez's weapon

The coach accepts that Cádiz, who play in the Segunda División, start as favourites. Even so, he believes the difference in motivation can level things out: "There is a lot of desire and excitement, we can't wait for the match to come so we can do things well and compete against a great team. You are facing a Segunda team and for them coming here is not the motivation it should be, whereas for us it is the highest. Playing against our rival from the province is a showcase for the players".

Nor is he worried that the atmosphere might weigh on his players: "I'm not worried about over-excitement; in fact, I want us to have it, because in the end that gives you the spirit and the strength to keep going in the match when your strength runs out. We know who we are up against and what we are going to find. Hopefully it will be a celebration of football and at the end of the match we will be happier than them".

Changes to the line-up

Cádiz could make many changes to their line-up. Segovia revealed that he too will give chances to players who have had fewer minutes in the league: "We are also going to make changes because there are people who deserve it, who are working very well and I think they have to come in. I will pick the eleven who I believe will compete in the best conditions to go for the match".

On the opponents, who have changed coach, he explained how they have prepared for the match: "We had analysed Cádiz under the previous coach and we have had to watch the Ceuta match the other day, where they were able to recover from 0-1 down. They do quite a lot of good things, but we have explained to the players what we have to do to counter their strengths and take advantage of their weaknesses".

The pitch, the main concern

The Chapín pitch is badly worn after several consecutive matches over the weekend. It worries the coach, although he refused to use it as an excuse: "The pitch worries me, of course it does. We are a team that wants to have the ball, create numerical advantages from the back and have pace up front, and if the pitch is in poor condition it is harder for us. The other day there were moves in which, by having to take an extra touch, we gave the opponent time to get into position. It hurts both of us, but there is no excuse: eleven against eleven, the pitch will be however it has to be and you have to know what to do at every moment".

"We are lacking accuracy"

Segovia also defended his team's start to the season, although he admitted they are short of goals: "I don't agree that the team's true potential hasn't been seen. I think we have done very good things and we are getting better and better, although we are lacking accuracy in front of goal. In a one-off match we can compete with anyone and hopefully we will be up to it".