Lucas Alcaraz is delighted to be making his debut as Granada Coach at home to Real Madrid and is ‘thinking of our chances’ of winning.
Sitting just above the relegation zone, El Grana took action this week to bring in Alcaraz in place of Juan Antonio Anquela.
Returning to the club’s bench 15 years on from coaching the team in the Third Division, Alcaraz is licking his lips at a daunting first fixture this weekend.
“To start at home, against Madrid in the Primera Division…you cannot pick a better script. What we face is well known,” commented the 46-year-old to reporters today.
“We have to have the motivation of the players to address the lack of time we have had to prepare a new playing model.
“We have to think about ourselves. I prefer to think of Granada.
“I have lacked the time to do what I intended so far. Madrid will be a tough opponent, player for player. But I prefer to think of our chances.
“When there is a change on the bench there is always a reaction. Everyone tries to show more intensity and interest. We lack the hours to work with what we have in mind, but I see the determination.
“It is one thing to want to convey this and another to translate it. Within this framework is also the experience and motivation of the players.”
Alcaraz was asked what can be expected of the team this Saturday evening.
“We have to defend as a team. We cannot think of a specific player [in reference to Cristiano Ronaldo]. Broadly speaking, we want a team that does not give up on any facet of the game.
“We intend to take the initiative in games and be an organised team. We need to improve our concentration, attention and individual responsibility.”
