José Alberto López, head coach of the Segunda División leaders, sat down at the press room of Los Campos de Sport de El Sardinero this lunchtime—a day earlier than usual due to the May 1 holiday—to preview Sunday’s 2:00 PM clash against Huesca at Santander. With the entire squad available except Manex Lozano, and after Juanca Arana completed training without issues, the coach addressed the media.
**How was the week following the strong performance in Ceuta?**
It was a very good match on our part, but we weren’t as clinical as other times, which cost us the three points. The week has been good, despite too much external noise from controversies. We must stay focused, not get distracted, and concentrate on the work and the next match—that’s what truly matters.
**How do you assess Tebas’s claim that the SAOT is a ‘deceiver’?**
We have better technology, more means, more resources, and more people reviewing images, yet we all grow more uncertain about when and how these tools are used—not only in our league but also in the Champions League, as we saw with the penalty in Tuesday’s match. We must realize that technology is meant to be used properly; it’s a very powerful tool that needs better application.
Arana returned to training with the group on Thursday. (Real Racing Club)
**What solution do you see to end controversy over tight offside calls?**
In football, controversy will always exist, and the losing side always complains. Referees have an extremely difficult job because they can never please everyone; it’s always the loser who complains. I’ve never heard a winning coach come out and complain about the referees. It’s a very tough job. Football generates controversy, and controversy will always be present, regardless of the rule.
**Do you think Racing has arrived at this crucial season stretch in its best form?**
What matters isn’t what we’ve done so far, but what remains to be done. We need to focus on being ourselves and looking ahead to the next match, concentrating on what we must do as a team, regardless of what happens during the game, and with the mentality the team showed the other day. That’s what I liked most about the Ceuta match: many things went against us, but the team had the ability to keep going, persist, and never get discouraged—which is really difficult.
**You saw the lead threatened but bounced back from the Andorra setback with one of the best performances of the year. How do you evaluate that?**
We’ve played many very good away matches: Castellón, Coruña… The important thing is what we have to do now, and we must prepare well for the Huesca match as we are trying to do. We’ve never made excuses for the circumstances around us, but the team has faced many adverse situations throughout the season and always managed to recover. That shows the team has a very good, strong mentality—a team that gets back up after setbacks. That’s what we must continue doing in the remaining five matchdays, demonstrating all that learning.
**How did the team pick itself up?**
Football is a sport that…
