García views this Saturday's game in Málaga as “very important” in the promotion race, though not “definitive”. The Asturian coach anticipates a “great atmosphere” at La Rosaleda stadium, a setting that, he believes, should motivate his team, which arrives “in good form” and with a “competitive mindset”.
“"The experience of the veterans, the balance of the most responsible players, and the fearlessness of the youngest will be necessary."
The Oviedo-born coach also emphasized the importance of “controlling the game” and remaining true to their “playing model”. García Fernández refrained from commenting on the opposing team's absences, focusing solely on his own squad's performance. He also downplayed the significance of the head-to-head goal difference, following their loss to Málaga in the first leg, at the end of August 2025.
While acknowledging that the margin for error shrinks with each matchday, the coach stated that “we cannot think that one game will be more important than another”. To achieve “important objectives”, the team must be “good at home and away”, and despite two consecutive away losses, they have shown “personality” away from the island, where they will play five of the remaining eight fixtures.
