Fertiberia Puerto Sagunto will look to get something at the Ovni against the fourth-placed side

Fertiberia Balonmano Puerto Sagunto face Balonmano Anaitasuna on Sunday 22 September, from 17:30, at the Municipal Internúcleos Pavilion, Ovni. The red-and-whites, who have only collected two points, are aware that they will face one of the teams near the top of the table. Despite this, they are counting on the Ovni’s magic to get something from this Matchday 7 fixture in the Liga Profesional Plenitude Asobal. 

The Sagunto side come into the match after losing a key game in the second half against the other newly promoted team, Viveros Herol Nava. In response, red-and-white coach Toni Malla says: ‘We are aware that the match got away from us, but we have been watching videos and correcting the actions we got wrong, and I think the team is working well. We are trying to polish the details. It is true that in our last away match we were a little closer to winning. Therefore, I think we have to look at it that way, focusing on the glass being half full rather than half empty. What the team needs is to keep a clear head and the morale to face the new league situations coming our way.’

They will face the fourth-placed side, level on points with Atlético Valladolid. They have started the season very well, which has taken them into the upper reaches of the table. Regarding Anaitasuna, Malla says ‘They are a team near the top of the table and a very good group. Nobody should think they are a team from our league, because they are not. Anaitasuna will be up there, and we will approach the match in the same way as all our home games. We will try and fight for it because I believe it depends more on us than on the opponent. Obviously, their quality is immense, but if we defend well — which has not been our strength lately — we must be more compact. If we manage the rotation well so that the players stay fresh and reduce the number of turnovers, we will be able to compete. We have to be very careful with Anaitasuna’s counter-attacks.’

‘I ask the supporters to continue supporting us. It is very important to know where we are and be aware that this season will be very tough and difficult. I believe my players deserve to have people by their side, and that is how we feel from most of them. But it is a fact that they need it. We on the coaching staff will continue working so that the team plays better, and I hope they fill the Ovni again,’ Malla concludes regarding the supporters’ vital backing. 

Translation produced using artificial intelligence.