Vedat Muriqi, Samu Costa, Antonio Raillo and Jagoba Arrasate discussed our 1-0 win against Deportivo Alaves. Find out what the players and the boss had to say:
Vedat Muriqi:
On the victory: The team really needed this win. Not just us, but the whole island, to give us some peace of mind and bring back the joy. We are delighted in front of our fans. We fought hard, we battled as we should here. People missed seeing Mallorca like this today and hopefully we can give our fans more games like this, fighting, battling and winning too.
On the team image: After only two points out of 18, we were a bit fed up and had to figure out what we were doing wrong. Today we got our desire back, what we were missing, the excitement. I think it was a complete match, with everyone giving their all, not just us but also the fans. I congratulate the whole island and let's go for more.
On next week: After the victory, we now have a long week until Bilbao. We are going to make the most of today and tomorrow, because we have earned three very important points and from Monday we will be ready to get something out of Bilbao before the break as well.
Samu Costa:
On the victory: I think that more than necessary, we were obliged to win. We players have an obligation to the club: we have to win matches. Today we won and that will surely motivate us, but we have to do what we did these last two days after losing to Real Sociedad. You could see a different attitude, a desire to change things, and today we saw a Mallorca like the one in the first half of last season.
On the match: In the first half, we started to press hard and that's why we scored. We were on top, pressing hard, playing with great intensity and forcing them into mistakes; we were winning second balls. In the second half, as is normal, we slowed down a little, but when we won the ball, we were very calm. We saw a very different Mallorca and I think that, more than tactics, it's a change in attitude and in each individual.
On the lean sheet: The defenders were very important. Leo also deserved it. We have to be humble and work like we did today, and this is the way forward.
Antonio Raíllo:
On the victory: It was clear that the team really needed this win. We needed to get that weight off our shoulders and clear our heads with these three points. It was very practical football, we took almost no risks, but we knew what we needed and what was at stake.
On the team's image: It was good in terms of intensity, hard work, sacrifice, being a group, a family, which has characterised us for a long time. In terms of technique or beautiful or lucid play, I think the team was a little below par, simpler than other times. I think that winning makes you grow, gain confidence, and now it's about maintaining that. Reading the game between the lines, playing out from the back, which is what we're trying to do now.
On the goal: It was a very tight game, very first division, a duel, intense, very close. The first team to take the lead would take the three points. I think the team was very solid in defence and the first chance we had, we took it. From then on, if we needed to hold on at 0-0, then at 1-0 we held on even more.
On the clean sheet: I don't look out for myself, either as a defender or within the group. As one of the captains, I have to look out for the team as a whole, and I'll take the victory, not the clean sheet, because it was very necessary for everyone.
Jagoba Arrasate:
On the victory: I've taken a huge weight off my shoulders, I'm still sweating. It was a very important, evenly matched game, in which we had to work very hard in the first half. We scored a good goal, and from then on we defended it as if it were a treasure, with a great team effort and the support of the fans as well. We know we have to improve, but this step was necessary.
On the corrections: Today we showed that we are a difficult team for our opponents to play against, which has to be the first premise. I think we can do more with the ball and the team can demand more, but that confidence will come with results. That's why I said that now we have at least regained those important things like keeping a clean sheet, defending well, that collective spirit and that connection with the fans.
On the goal: The details make the difference. It was a very good team move, with that one-two between Marc and Taku, and that moment from Muri too. I think it was a good goal. A good finish. And that's what tipped the balance in the end.
On clean sheet: I can't even remember when the last time was. Well, yes, in Vallecas, I remember. But we also need defensive solidity. Today, above all, I liked the team's collective spirit in defending a result and getting the three points.
On Asano's substitution: It seems he felt something there, we'll see what the tests show. It's a shame because he scored a goal and I think he's a player we need, but at least he helped us get three points, that's important, and from there we'll see what's wrong with him.