Alejandro Arribas spoke to the press in Abegondo once the morning training session had finished.

The Branquiazul central defender assured everyone that Deportivo is “very eager” to start LaLiga Santander on Sunday 20 August, against Real Madrid at the Estadio ABANCA-RIAZOR (10:15 pm, Movistar Partidazo): “The team has been getting ready for the start of the league against the best rival possible, for a month and a half. We cannot wait for the championship to begin”.

He warned, “we’ve been training to give a great rival a run for their money and gain points”.

He brushed aside Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence in A Coruña due to suspension: “If Cristiano doesn’t play, they have Asensio, Isco, whoever. All of them are the best in the world. They have such a complete squad that even if one player’s missing, you don’t notice it that much”.

Regarding the supporters’ role throughout the match, Arribas believes that “for us, the fans are fundamental. We need all the support there is, in this match which is the beginning, people are looking forward to us facing a very good rival. We’ll need them even more”.

Asked about the pre-season, Arribas said, “we’ve played good matches. We’ve been growing bit by bit this past month and a half. We are ready to face the match”.

However, he did admit that some pieces in the team may be missing, “we have to face the match with the players we have. I believe there's a great squad. We have to fight for as many points as we can on Sunday”.

With the 2017-2018 season about to kick off, Arribas spoke about his future: “I signed until 2019. I have two years left on my contract. I’m calm, and very happy here”.