Baptistão: "I'm not throwing in the towel; I still believe in the goal"
The UD Almería centre-forward points out: 'We have to play with more intensity than them if we want to win in Mestalla,' but he also reckons that it's important not losing their minds and 'taking control of anxiety'
Léo Baptistão has played more than 200 games in the top flight and he acknowledged on UDA radio: 'Having never experienced anything even close to it' while indicating: 'I haven't thrown in the towel yet and I continue to believe in the goal. This is football and losing and winning streaks exist.'
The 31-year-old experienced player has used the word 'challenge' when referring to the next match against Valencia CF: 'If we want to win there, it has to be by playing with more intensity than them. Mestalla is a very difficult pitch and Valencia CF have great players who, despite their youth, have also shown maturity. They're fast and intelligent,' commented the Brazilian footballer in the interview with the Club's official radio station.
The attacker considers the need to win an important handicap: 'The opponents play with that. Of course, we have to show pride in each duel but it isn't the time to go crazy to the matches. We have to compete well organised and from the instructions given by the head coach. We cannot now go running everywhere and all want to win the same ball because it isn't going to go well that way. It's time to have our feet on the ground and show calmness despite the situation. We have to play the game in an intelligent way.' On that note, he stressed: 'Anxiety has cost us many bad results, even scoring the openers, because suddenly, you want it to be over so you can win once and for all.'
'When we win the first game, we'll take a big weight off our shoulders and from there things will flow with better performance for sure,' Baptistão added. Given the large number of injuries within the squad and in the offensive part in particular, the Rojiblanco has had to operate as a forward on several occasions: 'Last year, I scored goals and this season I netted 4, which is more than some forwards in teams from the middle of the table up. I know my potential and I don't think I'm doing it wrong even though I'm very self-critical and I push myself to the max to help my team. I look at myself and I know what I do well and what I do wrong, but I'll always try to help my team-mates whenever I play or even without playing.'