Happy with his team’s victory, but still not wanting to take the round for granted, Ivan Ania highlighted the work of his Córdoba CF before the Ponferradina in a first game of play off of promotion that leaves the work quite on track for their team, although now they have to finish off in El Arcángel and not allow the rival to get up from the first blow.
Ania observed an “equal” duel. “They with 4-4-2, we were trying to find the pivot, Isma Ruiz, fixing their midfielders with the interiors, who did not jump. When we found him we were already playing forward. We were patient to turn the game around, wear them down. In On the right wing we created danger with Albarrán, but we arrived and we needed to finish. Yes, we were giving a feeling of danger, especially there. Then with the direct balls to Álex Costa, in the second plays, they created two dangerous situations for us, we lost concentration. a couple of actions but then we were able to score the goal and from there make long sequences of passes,” Ania summarized in her vision of the match, adding that “perhaps in the end we lacked having the ball a little more, but I think we were able of being together and being a solid team, conceding very little.
That defensive work was key for the green and white coach. “We said it in the preview, they are 180-minute games. We have the second half left now at home. The clean sheet is important but the tie is still open. The match was about alternatives, even and decided on a set piece. We had some set piece action, but I already told you that it is very important to be solid defensively. Even more knowing that it is not just the victory that qualifies us. When you are superior, you have to be able to take advantage of the goal and then when the game is tied you have to try to suffer. as little as possible, and I think that in that sense we did very well,” said Ania.
The Córdoba CF coach, cautious like few others, indicated that “the tie is still at 50%”. “Both teams gave a good level but this is decided by details. We have an advantage but we should not be overconfident and think that everything is done. We will go out as if we had tied here. We will go out to win because we always did and we are not going to speculate now. The tie is still open and the details can be final. Maximum concentration, maximum discipline and maximum confidence, although without relaxation,” he noted.
The role of Isma Ruiz in Córdoba CF
Questioned about the work of Isma Ruiz, the best on his team, everything was praise. “Isma is a player whose physical power is most noticeable in the second half, because they go up when the others go down physically. Just like Diarra, they repeat efforts and are a lung, they give us a lot of legs. Isma jumped under the pressure and was always the winner. He was able to drive and was very good with the ball. A very complete game, that’s why he started, because he knew he could give us a lot,” he said.
Now, with the prospect of a return match with the fans plugged in and El Arcángel full, Ania has already mobilized them for next Sunday. “I see to the fans very excited, wanting to return to professional football. We cannot achieve this goal alone, we need the fans, as we have had throughout the season. There have been tough moments, because we started with three defeats in four games. And they were always with us supporting us. Thank you to everyone who has been here and to those who have watched us from home. I hope that on Sunday the field is full and we can enjoy passing the qualifying round,” he noted.
