AVILÉS, Spain – Real Avilés manager Dani Vidal has described his team’s upcoming match against Cacereño this Sunday as “the most important since I’ve been here,” as the club fights to avoid relegation from Primera RFEF. With Guadalajara, the team currently occupying the relegation zone, just two points behind, the stakes are incredibly high for the Blanquiazules.
Vidal’s assessment underscores the mounting pressure on Avilés, who are desperate to secure three points and create some breathing room in the league table. The urgency is palpable as the team enters a crucial stretch of games against fellow competitors in the relegation battle. The manager emphasized the importance of the team’s mindset, stating, “It’s a super important match, which takes on even more importance because we didn’t manage to get the three points last week.”
The situation is further complicated by injury concerns. Vidal confirmed the team is monitoring the fitness of Uzkudun and Viti ahead of Saturday’s training session. “We’re waiting to see how they handle training on Saturday. They’ve been progressing slowly this week. We want to have them available, even if it’s only for 15 or 20 minutes,” he said. The availability of key players could significantly impact tactical decisions.
Vidal stressed the need to avoid succumbing to the pressure of treating the game as a “final,” acknowledging that such a mindset can be detrimental. “If you think it’s a final, you load yourself with a backpack of responsibility. The boys are particularly clear about their obligations on the pitch; they will compete for every ball as if it were the last.”
The manager acknowledged the team’s recent struggles, stating, “It’s very important that we break the dynamic we’re in. It would give us a lot of air, both emotionally and in terms of the standings.” He reiterated the significance of this particular match, emphasizing it as the most crucial of his tenure with the club.
A key tactical question remains: will Avilés line up with four or five defenders? Vidal remained noncommittal, acknowledging the strengths and weaknesses of both formations. “We’ve had matches where, playing with five, we’ve had good sensations, though the other day the sensations were terrible. Cacereño is a team with two very tall and strong forwards, so we’ll need to be strong in duels and in direct play. We can do that with three center-backs or by relying on the support of the full-backs and central midfielders.”
Vidal also praised Cayarga, the team’s leading goal contributor this season. While the specific details of his praise weren’t elaborated upon, the manager’s comments suggest Cayarga is a key figure in Avilés’ attacking plans. The forward’s form will be crucial as the team seeks to climb out of the relegation zone.
The goalkeeper situation is also under consideration. Vidal discussed the need for consistency in that position, acknowledging that both Álvaro and Nando have had moments of both success and struggle. “It’s something that has to be treated naturally. It’s a special position, but sometimes, when things aren’t going well defensively, you have to make changes. Álvaro has had matches where he was very good, but others where we believe he could have done more. We need the goalkeeper to have confidence and continuity. Nando didn’t do so well in Vigo, but against Talavera he had two very important saves. The day-to-day training is very competitive, the level of competition is high. Having that healthy competition is good for both of them.”
Vidal highlighted the versatility of his players, pointing to instances where players like Adri Gómez and Gete have been deployed in unfamiliar positions. “We’ve had to make a lot of changes, dropping players like Adri Gómez or Gete to central defender. I see that as a positive, that in critical moments there are players who have offered themselves. It speaks very well of their willingness.”
Looking back at the season, Vidal believes a change in fortunes is possible. “Who’s to say that when we’re able to string together two or three good results, we won’t turn things around? In the first half of the season, the coin always seemed to fall on our side. Now we’re carrying a deficit of points that I think football owes us. We need to raise the bar. It’s clear that now everyone knows us better, so we’ve been looking for different alternatives. We need to string together a series of positive results to see things differently.”
The manager concluded by reiterating his confidence in his team’s ability to overcome the challenge posed by Cacereño, a team he described as “dangerous, with clear ideas.” He acknowledged the difficulty of the match but expressed belief that Avilés is “capable of getting the three points.”
Real Avilés will face Cacereño at the Estadio Suárez Puerta on Sunday. The match is scheduled to kick off at 18:15 local time (Central European Time). Fans are encouraged to support the team as they navigate this critical juncture in the season.
The next match for Real Avilés is scheduled for [Date of next match – not provided in source], and will be a crucial test of their ability to build momentum and climb away from the relegation zone. Fans can find the latest updates and information on the club’s official website.
What are your thoughts on Avilés’ chances of survival? Share your predictions and comments below!
