Abelardo Fernandez believes Sporting Gijon have signed “a very complete and versatile” player in Barcelona loanee Douglas.
Douglas completed a season-long loan to Sporting on Friday and is free to debut for his new club on Sunday against Alaves, but while Barca appeared to do all they could to move on the full-back, Abelardo feels his side have pulled off something of a coup.
“[Douglas] comes from Barcelona and, before that, Sao Paulo, who are two great teams,” the Coach said at a Press conference.
“We’ve signed him because he’s very complete and versatile, plus he comes on a free.
“[Alaves] have 16 or 17 new players and a new Coach but have formed a good squad to try to achieve their goal of survival.
“I think they will be a team that like to have the ball, they have many qualities and I know [the club] well because I was lucky enough to play with them for a season.
“I’m sure it’ll be a match with a lot of atmosphere. They have strong players, use the wings well, are quick going forward, can adapt to many styles and are very complete.
“Against Athletic Bilbao, we had a fairly complete game, except for the first 20 minutes as we needed to gain confidence because you it was practically the first time [our new signings] played together.
“There was great equality on the first matchday of the season, Alaves drew at the Calderon, Leganes won in Vigo and Las Palmas at Valencia, so the objective [of staying up] will be very expensive.
“We’re especially good at counterattacks, from which we can create a lot of danger, but it won’t be easy for sure against Alaves as they can make things very difficult for us.
“Over such a long season, it’s important to have at least two players per position and in that regard I think we’re more balanced now than we were last season.”
