‘Depor must be better, united’

Domingos Paciencia has called on Deportivo to ‘do more and do it better’ if they are to beat Malaga on Saturday on his debut as Coach.

Depor are without a League win since November, reflective of a run of form that has seen them slip to bottom of the table over Christmas and prompted Paciencia’s arrival in place of Jose Luis Oltra.

Kicking off the new year at home to Malaga in Week 18, the Portuguese tactician is fully aware of what is required to close the three-point gap to safety.

“Malaga are a team with great quality, who are playing in the Champions League. They have players like Isco and Joaquin, very good players who can decide a game,” explained former stirker Paciencia to reporters this week.

“But right now I am more focused on what I can do with Depor. To win we have to be very focused and thorough in every respect. We have to do much to win this game.

“For us to move out of last place, I have said from day one that we must strive to do more and do it better. That takes commitment from me, my coaching staff, the players and the fans.

“We must approach this game with maximum strength and maintain a very strong commitment from everyone, because it is very important.”

A key area the media believe Paciencia must work on is in defence, with the team having conceded 39 goals from the opening 17 rounds played.

“To win games we have to try to not concede goals and try to score them. Clearly we have to be a more balanced team. The entire team has to know when to defend and when to attack. Therein we have worked this week to be strong and to keep a clean sheet.

“I have a basic idea of who my starting XI will be. What I have asked of the players is to be convinced of the work. I want everyone playing well. The thing is we need to do more and do it better, and stay focused to be closer to victory.”

The Galicians are on the verge of reuniting the Coach with Silvio Pereira, who he worked with at Braga previously and is set to arrive at Riazor on a six-month loan deal from Atletico Madrid.

“Silvio, if he comes, in Spain he is not known very well because he has not played much, but he has quality.

“We need players to make the team stronger. We are working to achieve this, to make the team strong to the extent that that is possible and with Silvio we can achieve that.”

Tags Deportivo Domingos Paciencia
La Liga - Club News