Augusto Cesar Lendoiro has downplayed Real Sociedad’s ambitions of fourth place, saying that his Deportivo are the ones with everything on the line.
Depor entertain La Real with both sides in search of three points for respective season objectives.
La Real need a win on Saturday and to hope that Valencia do not beat Sevilla, so as to take the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot.
Meanwhile, hosts Depor know that a win from 17th in the table will guarantee their League status for another season, as will any result that is equal to or better than Celta Vigo, Real Zaragoza and Mallorca, the three teams currently below them in the relegation zone.
“Deportivo are putting everything on the line. It is important to be in the Primera Division, it is everything that we need,” Lendoiro told reporters this week.
“In our good years, we did not celebrate finishing second or third [in reference to Real Sociedad this term], we are now playing for our lives.
“What Real Sociedad is playing for is bread today and hunger tomorrow.
“One of the great problems of Depor has been those five years of Champions League football. We are paying now for the economic effort that we had to go through.
“In our 25 years here, we’ve been in the Primera Division for 21 and in the Segunda for four, which is very difficult to achieve.
“We have to win on Saturday, we’d never have thought so, but now we have it in our hand. We must be united.
“Out of the four teams looking for survival, we are the ones who have it depend on us, which gives us motivation.
“I have said from the beginning and I have maintained it, I knew we were going to fight until the last minute and it takes hard work.
“Relying on yourself is essential. The atmosphere at Riazor will be unspeakable, it will be an extraordinary game of football and I’m sure that it will end well.
“The club’s future is secure no matter what. We are viable if we stay in the Primera Division or if we go down to the Segunda, though it will be easier in the Primera.”
Reports are that the club want to sign Coach Fernando Vazquez to a new deal regardless of next weekend’s outcome.
“We are waiting to talk, hopefully the sooner the better. He knows who we are and we are very happy with him.
“Hopefully we have an agreement that is comfortable. I hope it is resolved in a matter of hours, more so than days.”
The President was also asked of speculation that Juan Carlos Valeron may leave the club in the summer, with a rumoured retirement in the air too.
“He has the freedom of his decision, this has been his home for many years. It would break my heart if he does not continue.”
