The center back answered questions from the media before Wednesday's training
Statements from Diego Alende
"Winning always feels good. We know we're very strong at home and that in the end it was a game we had to win because there are very few games left. The team is very happy, full of confidence, heading into the final stretch in good shape, and looking forward to the Real Sociedad game on Sunday."
"We're in a good dynamic, the team is confident. It's true that away from home we have to take another step to stay there. I just went for a coffee today and read that we're the best home team in the group, and I think that's important. In the end, if we want to be up there, we have to take a step forward away from home, and we're focused on that."
"We're already in the final stretch. There are seven games left, and in the final stretch of the season, everyone wins, those at the bottom, those at the top, because everyone is pushing, we know what that means. We're very focused. The team is really looking forward to this final stretch, and I think we're going to achieve it."
"In the end, it's an important game, but as I said, since you no longer have any margin for error, I think every game is equally important. It's true that you're against a direct rival, a rival who has one more point than us, who is above us in the standings, so we know it's going to be a difficult game, as I said before, away from home. We're going to continue with the momentum we've had, we're going to go for the win there and stay in the playoff spots."
"It's always positive to see you there, to see that you're achieving your objective. In any case, we don't rely too much on that, because in the end, this is a very long time and everything is constantly changing. Teams like Ourense, who are close to me, were in the relegation zone 10 matches ago, and now they're practically on the verge of making the playoffs. We know this is a long time, that in the end, it's a long-distance race, and we're mentally prepared. Obviously, I'd be lying if I told you it wasn't nice to see you in the playoffs, and our intention is to never get out of there again and hold on until the end."
"I think it's showing. I think everyone who's coming on, who's getting minutes, is performing. In the end, I think it's very important because, in the end, we wear down our opponents a lot, and perhaps we're showing that we score a lot of goals at the end of games. That's also down to the players who come in fresh, and that's a key factor for this team."
"It's a reserve team, young, very dynamic players who are showing that they score a lot of goals and don't concede much. It's a team, as you say, that will surely be very different from the game we had this past Sunday against Tarazona and it will be a nice game to watch. Both teams will surely push hard, so it's going to be a tight game and we have to go for the win."
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