Fertiberia aim to stand up to Valladolid on their home ground

Toni Malla: ‘I hope everyone comes along to enjoy the Liga Plenitude and what I believe will be a magnificent match that we will fight until the end’

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto face Recoletas Valladolid as the Liga Plenitude Asobal returns to Puerto de Sagunto after the Christmas break. Toni Malla’s side take on one of the season’s breakthrough teams, who sit fifth in the table. For this match, the red-and-white coach will once again have a full infirmary, with Pau Ferre, Álvaro Del Valle, Javier Olivares, Jaume Pujol and Guillem Correro unavailable. 

Red-and-white coach Toni Malla said of this first match of 2024 at the Nuevo Pabellón Puerto de Sagunto: ‘We are happy and excited despite all the problems we have, which I am not going to repeat because that will not change anything at all. We have to approach the match with the same mentality as we did in Torrelavega: playing well and without pressure, with the team fully involved and focused. I believe that, because of small details, we did not come away with any points. Our limitations are also affecting us in training because the intensity is not the same as when you have a squad of 20. Despite this, the youngsters are doing very well and are excited to make their 2024 debut with our team.’

Regarding the opponents they will face, Malla said: ‘They are fifth in the table. They are having a tremendous season and have a superb squad. It is another difficult challenge, almost tougher than Torrelavega. We are approaching it with excitement, aiming to put in a good performance as we did there and return to our hallmarks: discipline, organisation, defensive and attacking concentration, and going into the match calmly because we are playing in front of our own supporters.’

‘We will fight for it and try to take two points; if we do, we will be back in the fight for survival. I can only encourage people to come to the match and not leave the youngsters on their own. It is true that we are going through difficult times in every respect, but their support is very important for the youngsters. You can feel the 1,700 souls who fill this new pavilion every Saturday. I hope everyone comes along to enjoy what I believe will be a magnificent match that we will fight until the end,’ Maya concludes regarding the supporters and their importance in this weekend’s match.

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.