Jose Luis Oltra has reflected on the impact that returning to La Liga will have on the Galician derby this weekend between Celta Vigo and Deportivo.
The two sides both returned to the Primera Division last season and are set to contest a first derby between each other in the top flight for five-and-a-half years.
“Last year we met as the best two in our Division, because we both went up directly, and now we have a different purpose and these are different circumstances,” began Oltra in assessing the importance of the local encounter.
“That being said, it was a very big game in La Segunda and it will be even bigger in La Primera. Last year we had looked forward to the derby after four years without it and now we want to win the derby again in La Primera.”
Depor won both home and away against Celta last season, but go into this weekend’s clash on a seven-game winless streak and with four consecutive defeats also to their name.
“Unfortunately, we cannot live in the memories of football, but in the present. I want to see the team win. We come into this game with results that are not what we would like, but the first game in which we can break that dynamic is against Celta.
“The intention is to go for the win, always having in mind the difficulty of doing so. For me, in the derbies there are no favourites and there are no streaks, rankings or moods. The game exists in isolation and in it you have to try to compete and win.”
Oltra had some kind words for his counterpart Paco Herrera.
“For Paco I have great admiration, I think he is a great Coach, he has a lot of experience and is an extraordinary person.
“He knows I love him, whilst he is a person who is close to me. But, the Coaches do not play. This is for the footballers and I have full confidence in the group and hopefully they can take that step forward that they have come close to in previous games.”
