Tense calm that is breathed in the City of Soccer of Las Rozas . The two draws against Sweden and Poland have turned the match against Slovakia into a final. If Luis Enrique’s men win they will be in the eighth, if they tie they will have to pray that the results accompany them and if they lose we will face one of the biggest failures in the history of our National Team. Of course, Pablo Sarabia (Madrid, 1992) only thinks positively and is convinced that things will turn out well. Calm, with a smile and enormous kindness, he attends OKDIARIO hours before heading to Seville .
Sarabia arrives at the set that the Federation has made available so that the media can conduct interviews in person, looking at the mobile and saying hello. The PSG player sits down and begins to answer questions with complete sincerity . Spain is not well, he knows it, but not everything is as bad as it seems. If the National Team does its job and beat Slovakia, the national team will clear up the bad feelings and the fans will end up hooking a group hungry and wanting to achieve great things.
Question: What happens to Spain?
Answer: We should have won both games. We have created many scoring chances, we have had controlled matches in many phases and in the end football is like that, if you don’t put the ball in, you can’t win. But we are generating to be able to take the parties with us. There is one left that is a final and we have to go for it.
Q: How is the group?
A: It makes you angry not being able to add the three points, but football has these things. The team is strong because they trust the idea. I think we are doing a lot of good things to win and we are not going to change. The team is emotionally strong, already knowing and being aware that we have to win and that we are going to do that.
Q: They are 90 minutes from all or nothing. How is such a young group managing that responsibility?
A: The figure of Busquets is very important, as well as that of the colleagues who have more experience in this. I think we have to be calm because the work is good. It is the line to follow to achieve that victory. We are going to win, but with our idea. We know that we have to add the three points, but we have the peace of mind that veteran people will bring.
P: And always positive thinking.
A: Always. Thinking positive leads the way and makes things go well.
Q: Has Joaquín Valdés, a psychologist for the National Team, had extra work these days?
A: He is an important figure and plays a very good role with all of us. Anything that is support is recommended. It is essential to send positive messages. Not just between us, but in the lead so that everything goes well and becomes a reality.
Q: Have you done any special work these days?
A: We have done activities together and various things to believe in a group that has never stopped doing it.
Q: What message has Luis Enrique sent you?
A: He tells us to be calm, that the work is being done well and that obviously there are things to improve, but we are in good dynamics, which is the important thing.
Q: There is a lot of talk about the fans. Do you understand the criticism?
A: We understand people. Everybody likes to win. I understand some criticisms, but I want everyone to be together and row in the same direction. We all have to be together. I also notice a lot of confidence in us. I want to thank the support we are having in Seville, that not everything is negative.
Q: Isn’t this being unfair to this group?
A: Everyone will value that. We are in the idea and we are doing everything to hook the fans.
Q: What message do you send to people?
A: I tell you that we are going to give it our all. We are going for victory and we are convinced that we can do it. We would love, as they have done in previous matches, for them to be with us, to support us and that we are all going to achieve it together.
Q: There is a lot of controversy over the video in which they leave the hotel and not everyone greets the fans. If the results were different, possibly this would not be discussed. Does it bother you that everything is sharpened?
A: It is not bothering us because we know how things are. If we had won, not much would be given to that. One of our virtues is the humility and humanity that this group has and believe me that without the coronavirus we would be the ones who would approach people. That video is about going to the field, people are concentrated, with their helmets and everyone does what they want, so we should not give importance to some images when we really appreciate the support.
Q: Why is it so difficult for Spain to score a goal?
A: The important thing is that we are generating them. The ball is going to go in, although we have to be more efficient in front of goal. The team is arriving and having opportunities, that is the important thing so that the ball enters. Let’s hope that against Slovakia we will succeed. We will do our best to turn this around.
Q: You have played two games, but none as a starter. Against Slovakia is it Sarabia’s time?
A: I am prepared for the time that Luis Enrique decides to take me out. The important thing is the team and that we win.
Q: Luis Enrique does not usually personify in a player, but in the previous one against Portugal he stood out.
A: I am very grateful to the coach for those words and for being able to be here. I try every day to improve myself and contribute the maximum to the team, which I think is necessary for a player. He transferred his idea to me and I try to do what he asks of me.
Q: What does Luis Enrique ask of you?
A: He asks me to reach goal positions as in my team, to associate well and be decisive.
Q: How have you lived this season?
A: It has been difficult. After the coronavirus, I spent a few months in which I was not quite well. He did not have the same ability to repeat efforts. It was difficult. And later, when I was well, I had various injuries. But I have been able to score goals, give assists, contribute to the team and, although it has not been my best year, I am happy and hoping that next year will be different.
Q: How did the coronavirus affect you?
A: I noticed it when it came to repeating efforts. I recover well and it took a long time. He didn’t have that ability to make it so explosive or so continuous. I don’t know at what level it will affect, but I felt less capable.
Q: It is not easy to gain a foothold at PSG, but you play a lot.
A: It is not easy, but the first season I played more than 4,000 minutes. This less for the circumstances that I have commented before. I try to make a hole for myself whenever I can. I work every day and I am very happy with the number of goals and assists that I am giving there and with the performance that I can offer.
Q: What is it like to train every day with Mbappé, Neymar, Di María…?
A: It is a constant learning. You are training with the best in the world and it is very rewarding to be there.
Q: Have you talked to Mbappé about coming to Real Madrid?
A: We have not spoken. Now he is focused on the Eurocup.
Q: But it would be a very important loss.
A: Of course. Now luckily we have him and we hope he stays.
Q: Would you like to return to Spain?
A: Right now I have a contract there, I’m happy and I’m happy with what I’m playing. I have to focus there and everything that is thinking about other things weakens me in my work, which is to contribute the most in the field.
Q: What is Sarabia’s wish?
A: My closest wish is to beat Slovakia. Then, going game by game we have to show that we have a great group.
Q: Can they win the Euro?
A: Hopefully so.
