"This competition is long and tough, we've always known that. That's why I insist on saying that we can't relax, we have to suffer, and always maintain that feeling of urgency," said the Azulgranas' coach. With six games remaining, his message remains unchanged, understanding the dynamics of the competition and the need to fight until the very last minute. "We need to react to these two defeats and work hard in order to improve," he said before Sunday's encounter against Real Valladolid.
"I've been involved in football for a long time and I know how this competition works; every game takes a big effort, they're all very even. The urgency is always high, and you always need to get points until you achieve your objective," Hidalgo insisted.
"This rival will come out with everything; we're all urgently seeking three points, and we'll have to play the game that is needed – try to be a solid team, concede little and at the same time be brave and hurt them because they also have their weaknesses. It's a tough stadium; they'll make us suffer, and we'll have to know how to handle those moments," explained the coach.
Hidalgo also maintains unwavering confidence in his team and values their work over the past few months: "When I arrived six months ago, people believed in me, and I believe in them and we'll continue to do so. Six months ago, we would have signed up for this situation; we have to believe a lot in ourselves, come out with courage and compete to the fullest. My intention is to transmit serenity, work and positive thinking, but not tranquility because that leads to lowering the intensity, and we can't afford that," he concluded.