Deportivo La Coruna veteran Manuel Pablo is ready for what is likely to be his last game against Real Madrid as he returns to the Galicians’ starting XI.
Pablo has been interviewed by AS and reflected on his lengthy Depor career, a missed opportunity to move to Santiago Bernabeu and offered his thoughts about Saturday’s fixture.
“Depor have grown. The recovery of Lucas Perez has helped and so has the arrival of Celso Borges, who gives us experience,” the 39-year-old said.
“But we have to settle with the big boys. That day against Barca we arrived on a good run and lost.
“[The match against Madrid] comes at a good time because we don’t have the pressure of being low down in the table.
“But Madrid are a machine and we have to do things almost perfectly to come away with anything.
“This is a young, re-building team, whereas [the Depor team that won the League in 2000] was of renowned stars and part of the elite. We were a very strong team.”
Pablo is in line to start in the centre of defence for Victor Fernandez’s injury-hit Depor and says he’s looking forward to the chance, having been the Coach’s de-facto assistant at times this season.
“It might be my last game at the Bernabeu, but I’m calm. I don’t get many turns. I’ll try to enjoy it like it’s the first time,” he continued.
“Hopefully we can get a result. That would be a good gift. I have a three-year contract and I’ll see what the club’s idea is [for the future].
“I don’t play many games but I advise the Coach when asked. It’s a very young group of players.”
