At the beginning of this July, the Real Zaragoza He announced to his second signing this summer with the aim of strengthening what was the worst facet of the Blanquillo club last season: the defense. In this interview with Aragon Press, Alberto Rodríguez, known as Tachi in the world of football, explains how his first weeks have been as a blanquillo player in the concentrations of Los Angeles de San Rafael and Benasque, in addition to talking about his Aragonese roots and revealing what are the ideas that the whole of Gabi Fernández Facing this new season.
QUESTION.- After his arrival at Real Zaragoza, he has been from the first day of the preseason, how has the preparation of the new campaign gone so far? Answer.- It has been everything very fast, the truth. My incorporation was a success when I arrived from day one and start the preseason with my classmates to meet them and settle quickly in the group. At the moment, everything goes very well and I am very happy.
Q.- He comments that his arrival has been a success, what are the reasons that have led him to sign for Real Zaragoza about other offers of other teams? R.- The offer of Real Zaragoza was the one that came best personally, for the project, for the club and for the desire he had to come. That has been what tilted me to get here.
Physically we have to be very strong because it will be one of the important bases for this year
Q.- One of the clear objectives of the team This preseason is to fly physically. I think we have to be very strong physically because it will be one of the important bases for this year. We know that the second division is very long and very competitive and this aspect will help us.
Q.- Have you noticed any change between the two concentrations? R.- What most, the truth. In Los Angeles de San Rafael it was more hot and here, in Benasque, in the morning you are very good, you train with fresh and thank you.
Q.- In Benasque, the magnitude of Real Zaragoza’s fans has begun to observe … R.- Yes, we are noticing it. In the afternoon it is true that they can come more to see us that in the morning and these days we have noticed it. However, in Los Angeles de San Rafael they were also fans and that is appreciated.
My roots by mothers are grausinas and as soon as I can I escape Graus to see my friends and family
Q.- On the fastest route to travel from Zaragoza to Benasque, you go through a town that knows very well and where it has even the recognition of the City Council. Do you feel very close to Graus? R.- Totally. I consider my second home. It is true that I have raised in Madrid, but my roots by mothers are grausinas and as soon as I can escape Graus to see my friends and family.
The central mother is from Graus. Photo: Lorena Torrijo
Q.- I imagine that his arrival at Real Zaragoza will have been received with joy by those friends or family who will now have to be able to go to the stadium to see him play.
Q.- Then, Tachi is half Aragonese … R.- You could say (laughs).
Defending Real Zaragoza is a privilege
Q.- As a child or young when I was in Graus, was you imagining playing at Real Zaragoza? R.- I never imagined being a professional footballer. It is true that we had that illusion of being able to become and now defending Real Zaragoza is a privilege.
Q.- It comes after a historical season in the Mirandés, what positive aspects should Real Zaragoza of that team that was so close to the promotion to First Division? R.- I think that if something taught me football last year is the union of the group we did in Miranda. From the first day we were a pineapple and it is one of the aspects to highlight for this new season.
The central arrives after having been two seasons in the Mirandés. Photo: Lorena Torrijo
Q.- And in the meantime, Real Zaragoza was playing life, what diagnosis does it from outside the Blanquillo Club season? R.- It was a difficult season, but the goal that was salvation was fulfilled and in the end it is important. This year is a new season and I think the objectives have to be others, starting with being competitive, that being the line to follow.
Q.- Do you feel the pressure of being in such a historical team and where there is always that influence to look for ascent? R.- No, no pressure. Last year we were about to get it and at no time we had that idea in our heads. We were game by game and that was the key.
Q.- For now, the only three signings of Real Zaragoza, are Sebas Moyano, Radovanović and Tachi, do you worry the situation of seeing that the market is slow and no more reinforcements arrive? R.- We are dedicated to training. The sporting management is more responsible for signings. From personal experience, a couple of years ago I arrived the last week of preseason to the Mirandés and I think the important thing is that those who come quickly acclimatize the template and quickly learn the ideas of the team.
The idea is to be a block in which from the striker to the defense they defend
Q.- Gabi’s goal for this new campaign is to be a solid and sure team that grows from the defensive rigor, what has transmitted to the players? But above all, the idea is to be a block in which from the striker to the defense they defend.
Q.- Like Gabi, he has formed in the quarry of Atlético de Madrid, how is it as a coach?
Q.- In his stage in Atlético, he has lived preseason at the orders of Cholo Simeone, are there similarities between Gabi and the Argentine? R.- The truth that there are exercises that are similar to when we made them on the hill of the Espino and that we have already done in this preseason. There is also Dani (Daniel Castro), who is his physical trainer who was there and knows the home exercises.
The Madrid has been with the team since the first day of preseason. Photo: Lorena Torrijo
Q.- After a long career where he has gone through Atlético, Alavés, Wisla, Mirandés … at what time is he footballing? R.- At a good time. Last year he gave me that plus of confidence despite a couple of injuries that cut my rhythm a little, but I think my participation last year was important in the Mirandés and with the season we did I am very happy.
Q.- With more than a hundred matches in professional football between First, Second and the Copa del Rey, what do you think will contribute to the team? R.- As you say, I already have games in professional football and despite being 28 years old and not being a major central, I think I have that degree of experience to help the team a lot this year.
Q.- He has played Central, but he has also had minutes of defensive midfielder, where does he feel more comfortable? R.- In both positions I am comfortable. I have always played Central since childhood and in my passage through Poland I started playing 6. My first year in Miranda I also played almost everything from 6, so where I need I can play.
Q.- Speaking about the defense, last year it was the worst facet of Real Zaragoza and it is where there will be this year, is it trained to reverse the situation and even be the leader who needs the Blanquilla rear? R.- I think there does not have to be a leader. It has to be the team to take a hand when things get complicated and that with the help of the partner everything is easier.
We have to make our house a fort and win the maximum possible points
Q.- It arrives just in the season in which after many years the team out of necessity is moved by the field. The Romareda has lived as a visitor, how do you think that change will affect the team? R.- It is surely different, but I think people will not fail. As our own experience, last year we made an incredible season in Anduva, losing only one game. This year you have to resemble the past, where we have to make our house a fort and win the maximum possible points.
Q.- What is Tachi’s goal this season? R.- The goal is to make a good campaign and help Real Zaragoza achieve all its purposes.
Q.- And the team’s goal from inside the locker room? R.- Start the season being competitive and not set a clear objective now at the beginning of the course. But to add points and be overwhelming, be a block and be united.
Q.- Finally, a word or phrase that defines Tachi as a footballer.R.- A team player.
