Etxeberría urges calm over Albacete’s lack of goals

Joseba Etxeberría has urged his players not to become obsessed with Albacete’s lack of goals. The coach believes his team must keep working and retain confidence in its ability to score.

“We have to trust the work and not become obsessed with goals, because we have players who can score,” he said. He also stressed the need to keep at it, build patterns of play and focus on getting into the penalty area.

Etxeberría also discussed Valladolid, Albacete’s next opponent on Monday. He believes the side has improved, including by changing its midfield shape to a diamond with no wingers. In his view, the 0-3 defeat to Oviedo was a turning point, after which Valladolid became more solid.

The Albacete coach said his plan was “non-negotiable”. He wants both his players and the supporters to understand the direction the team is taking. He has not, however, settled on his starting line-up: he has an idea of the team, but believes there is still plenty of time before the match and that the next two training sessions will be key to making his decision.