Nino says goodbye signing autographs

The CD Tenerife player, Juan Francisco Martínez Modesto ‘Nino’, visited the club shop on Friday to sign autographs and be photographed with the fans. The player took a moment to send a message to the fans.
“This is surely my last official act for CD Tenerife, a meeting with the fans which serves to say goodbye, to CD Tenerife a club from where I leave with may happy memories. They have been four really good years”, explained the forward whilst he was talking to the teams followers in the shop, many of whom were young people and children.
“The club has given me a lot both professionally and personally. My family have also been happy here on the island”, added Nino, who had managed to make the signing in spite of the physical problems he has right now.
When asked about the future he commented: “Until I get home and sit and think I will not know exactly what I want to do. There are various options and I need to take the right decision”.
“It is a shame that I couldn't take part in the derby this week. I will watch the game on TV and I hope the players will be able to make the fans happy with a win”, he said about today's game in Las Palmas.
Lastly he wished the team the best of luck for the upcomming season: “The club needs to build a good project for the next season to take then back up”.

I would like to ask the fans not to abandon us. I will try to recover what we lost ...- Concepcion

Miguel Concepción was reelected as president of CD Tenerife, leading the renewal of the administrative council for the blue and white team the other members are, Pedro Suárez, Conrado González, Indalecio Pérez y Ricardo Siverio.
The extraordinary meeting took place in the Sala de Conferencias del Espacio Cultural de la Caja General de Ahorros de Canarias (CajaCanarias), in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, at 17.00. The only point of order at the meeting was the naming of the mew council and the only team presenting themselves was that of Miguel Concepción.
 
At the meeting there were 39.675 shares represented which is 30,45 % of the total capital, concequently as there was 25% of the shares the meeting could take place. The renewal of the council was voted in by 39.045 votes no votes against and 1.58% abstained.
 


Miguel Concepción afterwards asked the CD Tenerife fans not to abandon the team even though there had been two relegation’s. The president of the blue and whites talked about the reality of the club, its difficult economic situation and the fact the had been obliged to restructure the squad. He also thanked Enrique Estévez & Antonio Padrón who have retired as member of the council and will go on to help with the CD Tenerife foundation.
 
CONTINUITY.- “My intention was to retire after the five years but I couldn't turn my back on the club. We didn't see today an alternative to my team. I could only then continue as the maximum share holder”.
 
FUTURE.- “We can only look forwards. This league was a disaster and now we have to get up and go on. The project is a new squad with good players from two B and some older players from Segunda. The only objective is to go back up. It will be a young squad with the youth teams having the chance to take part. We want to build a framework for a team in Segunda”.
 
ECONOMY- “There are difficulties that we need to solve. We have talked to CajaCanarias about a some space in the repayment structure and we are negotiating with the tax office. We are close to having an agreement and I am sure it will be signed soon. The players know what is happening, three months ago I told them if we went down we would have serious problems”.
To find the money to pay this years wages we already had to look under rocks, no one should forget that the plan was to go up. Their contracts were signed for Segunda and La liga, not for two B. If there are players who want to stay on their present wages we will need to explain things carefully as this seems unfair. We will not allow them to drown the club. That doesn't seem fair. I won't deny if the new sports director is interested in any of the actual squad we will make an effort but with a revision of his contract”.
 
SQUAD.- “In two B the players go from good to very good and earn between 50.000 and 120.000 euros a season. I will not change the way we work. I only name sports directors. The coach will be picked by the new sports director. Amaral ha a contract for the next season but I can't be sure that the new sports director will want him as coach, If not I will not insist”.
 
OPOSITION.-  “70 % of the capital in this club is split, and consequently I can't see how anyone could say I control everything. I have said and repeated that my intention was to serve five years. I said if anyone was prepared to take over I would stand aside but I am not prepared to let the club go to the wall. Where is the alternative project. The only one I can see right now is mine. If you want to kill the only project there is then go ahead. I know there are others who are capable out there but they need to step up”.
 
REESTRUCTURING.- “There will be some changes in the club. Some staff will have to go. Money coming in has halved and there is no choice but to lessen outgoings. That said in two B we will be he club with the highest budget. I can't talk today about quantities. We should never have gone down, it was an accident. To stay in La Liga was hard as we had a very limited budget. Last year the three teams with the lowest budget were relegated. Here and now we all need to do our bit for CD Tenerife, but I will not force anyone. With 30 million euros you cannot maintain a place in La Liga and our budget wasn't that high. Right now I can't tell why we were relegated but we all said last August that this was a team with aspirations and we were all wrong. I did everything in my power to chance things. In two B we can't pay back the debts as our objective is to make a strong team and go back up. We can't stay in this category we need to move back up as soon as possible”.
 
NINO.- “Has suffered with the relegation he is a good player and any team would want him as he is a great professional”.
 
FANS.- “The best thing that CD Tenerife has is the fan base. I am responsible for what happened in the club and therefore it is not enough to apologize I need to fix things. I would like to ask the fans not to abandon us. I will try to recover what we lost and we will work hard to achieve this. What we really have here has nothing to do with which league we play in, it is the fans, and island fan base and that of the whole region. Things are how they are and we have lost this year But I can only tell you we are going to win. I ask again please don't abandon the club”.

Pedro Cordero is the new sports director for CD Tenerife. Miguel Concepción, announced this in the press conference after the meeting in the CajaCanarias. Cordero will be presented next week. The club president has asked for time to adapt and stated that he will not give interviews until the presentation.

 

Pedro Cordero Sánchez (17 August 1968) was a player in the first division in Real Murcia and in Albacete where he played with Rommel Fernandez. In Segunda he played in Salamanca, Badajoz & Toledo. As sports director he has worked in Águilas (Segunda B). He is a qualified coach.
 
Concepción commented that, “My relationship with Pina has been a friendship since he supported my entrance into the league commission, when he was still in Ciudad de Murcia. Pina is president of Granada CF and advisor for Udinese. I have talked to him about players who might be interesting for CD Tenerife”.
 
“I want to make clear that Pedro Cordero will be working for CD Tenerife independently. He is experienced and this will assure he can manage the project. I can't say if he is a friend Enrique Pina”, he added.
 
Miguel Concepción signalled that “Juanjo Lorenzo will be leaving all the information he has as did Santiago Llorente before. Pedro Cordero will look at this information. He will then design the new team. If we have to make an effort then we will manage this somehow. I believe he is the ideal person for the job”.
 
“We have a strong professional coming to work here and I hope he will adapt easily. He knows the category well and will form a good group. This is especially important at this level”, he finished.

After the season finishes I need to talk to the club - Nino

Nino & Carlos Bellvís were the two players interviewed on Tuesday after the training session in the Ciudad Deportiva.
The forward from Almeria was first and started by saying the game on Saturday was special as “many players will be leaving. It is the last game at home this season and I hope we will play well. We will go out to win, although this doesn't mean much, but we always try to win the three points”.
When asked about his contract with CD Tenerife, Nino stated that “we will see what happens. I am waiting for the season to finish and then we will see what happens. Being realistic it is complicated that I will still be here next year. Possibly this will be my last game but I need to talk to the club and then take a decision”.
The blue and white forward, talked about how sad the relegation made him. “Fans like those here in CD Tenerife don't deserve this, but unfortunately this is what has happened. It is a blow for everyone”.
Lastly, Nino talked about the four years he has spent in the island. What he has seen and felt playing for CD Tenerife. “I have been treated so well and have played as well as I know the whole time. I have been treated very well everywhere I have been on the island and in the stadium which has been great”.
Carlos Bellvís, started by talking about SD Ponferradina. “We have a game against another team who has been relegated which will give the youth players a chance to demonstrate they can play at this level”.
He was asked if he sees himself in the club next season to which he replied, “Lets see what happens to the players who still have a contract. Right now I am playing and we will see what happens. If I am told I have to go I will start looking in the holiday period”.
To conclude the blue and white defender talked about his playing since Amaral was coach. “I have found a rhythm. I am happy for myself but as a group it is terrible the team had been relegated. Right now we need to finish as high as we can in case there is a team who can't pay their players and e can take their place”.

Nino - Please don't go!!!!!

We have created a new page on facebook called Nino! Uno de los nuestros! Quédate! -
lets all show our support to keep this incredible player in Tenerife
We have less than two weeks before the last home game and we need you all not only to join but to send this message to all your friends and family to get the number of fans so high, that the message is loud and clear.

Interviews after the loss against Alcorcon.

David Amaral was positive when he talked about the commitment the players had on the field in spite of the loss suffered against Alcorcón this weekend. The CD Tenerife trainer talked about the specific mistakes which caused the group to lose in Santo Domingo.
Amaral started by explaining “it was hard. We tried to get everything and it isn't normal that games go that way. Specific errors deprived us of the points we so need”.
“The squad is demoralised. Today the lads gave everything. This was a hard blow but life goes on”. Added David Amaral, he continued “the team did everything they should but little mistakes made us lose. In football, when you least expect it things can turn around. If we break this run they this will lift their moral”.
Above all the act that made the 1-1, the island coach commented that “without hiding behind anything, more than the penalty what I want to complain about is the previous foul. I don't know if there was hand ball or not. But the penalty was called and there can be no objection”.
In his analysis of the game, David Amaral counted that, “ after the 1-2 they went all out . They forced us back and their shots at goal arrived after that when we made mistakes”.
When asked about the changing rooms after the loss this weekend, the coach from Arico signalled that “This was a hard blow as twice we were a goal up. Our rival achieved things when they were desperate. We could have finished the game and we didn't”.
Amaral recognised that the team was more solid against Alcorcón than against Huesca, something that “at home we are under more pressure but away we are more free. Against Alcorcón today we went out of the attack. The games were laid out differently. The run has to be stopped so we can start to work. There is nothing else but to pick up little by little, helping each other. The suffering and exhaustion in the group is high. We need to try to compete in a dignified manner”.
David Amaral doesn't want the team to throw in the towel: “We need to fight because we are professionals, because there are options and there may even be an administrative loophole”.
“We can't hope to win a number of games when we haven't yet won a game. Although mentally we are bad the only thing that counts is win so we can help” he concluded.
There are no excuses, the CD Tenerife players feel deceived after the loss on Sunday in Santo Domingo against Alcorcón.

Luna: “The things didn't go. We gave everything and could have won. We tried our hardest to stop their goals. Alcorcón at home is a great team, and today they demonstrated it as they have all season. We are very sad for how things are going. There are no words”.
Melli: “The team tried hard. We were up twice and we had the game under control. In spite of this work we lost the game. I didn't see the penalty that led to the 1-1. We have been the hole year making the same mistakes. A win here would have given us so much confidence. I think the game was planned well and we played it out. Now we need to move on to the next game. We will go on trying”.
Nino: “We are really bad but we need to go on. The games that are still to come need to be played with hard work and commitment. I am cross and when I am cross explanations are internal not external. I think that we are missing things, that some things aren't clear. The options that are left are complicated with only 8 games left. There is nothing more to do but think about the game against Villarreal”.
Antonio Hidalgo: “Football is punishing us. We played the first half well and we were dominating the game for most of the time. Twice we went ahead but all that work wasn't enough to give us a win. We need to keep believing that we can do this until there are no more chances”.

AD Alcorcon 3 - 2 CD Tenerife - Game notes

AD ALCORCÓN 3 (1)
CD TENERIFE 2 (1)
AD ALCORCÓN
Herrera; Nagore (Sanz, 73’), Ángel, Rueda, Babín; Samuel (Gerardo, 68’), Mora, Sales (Jeremy, 68’), Montañez; Borja & Quini.
CD TENERIFE
Sergio Aragoneses; Melli, Bellvís, Pablo Sicilia, Luna; Kitoko, Ricardo, Iriome (Juanlu, 80’), Omar (Julio Álvarez, 46’), Antonio Hidalgo (Mikel Alonso, 67’); & Nino.
REFEREE
Julio Amoedo Chas, from Galicia. Yellow cards for local players Ángel & Nagore; and for visitors Ricardo, Luna, Omar, Kitoko & Bellvís.
GOALS
0-1: (42’) Nino, after a corner. 1-1: (45’) Quini, from a penalty. 1-2: (55’) Iriome, after a pass by Julio Álvarez. 2-2: (75’) Jeremy. 3-2: (82’) Quini.
INCIDENTS
Played in the Santo Domingo stadium. The grass was in good condition. On a sunny morning with 3.000 spectators. A minutes silence was held for Javier Álvarez, the grandfather of local player Quini.

Nino asks for the fans help

Nino & David Prieto were the two players who attended the press. The forward from Almeria started talking about the arrival of David Amaral to the blue and white bench. “He knows the squad. He is demanding and wants to see the team one hundred percent committed. He is correcting things especially with the Saturday game in mind. We need to work together, be strong and stick together on the field”.
In reference to the vital game against SD Huesca, the Andalusian player pointed out that “The game on Saturday is very important for the team and we need to win. In everyone's mind there is the game against Huesca. We know it won't be easy but we need the three points”.
Nino also talked about the situation CD Tenerife finds itself. “everything we have lived through in the last months has been complicated. The situation is bad but we can get out from under here. We need to do this however we can. The only thin in our mind right now is Huesca”.
To finish the CD Tenerife forward spoke of the fans. “We know who we have in the stands. The fans are with the team and lets see if we can give them something in return”.
David Prieto, also started talking about David Amaral. “ He is a demanding trainer in every way, he is on top of the team. He tries to correct our errors and lets see if this helps us and will let us win the three points. These are decisions which the club takes. We need to adapt as soon as we can to his ideas”.
To finish the defender from Seville reminded that the next game against Huesca “is the most important game. We need to win. Then lets seeafter that. I am optimistic. We are united and were only thinking about the game”, he concluded.

The SD Huesca squad arrive on Friday in the north airport at 18.20 and will transfer to the Hotel Silken Atlantida where they will be staying.


The CD Tenerife B team won in La Palmera against San Isidro and this leaves them in second position. They won by 0-1 and this is their fifth consecutive victory.

Nino and Hidalgo talk

“In the changing room you can feel the sense of responsibility. Our situation is very bad and has been since we first started this year. We are all suffering badly and want to move up the table however we can”.
This is how the captain Nino started his interview today Wednesday in the Heliodoro. He talked for a long time about how difficult the team were finding things and how it affected them.
“We are preparing for the game. We had another blow last weekend and hope to break this bad run. We need to feel better. We want to do this. Against Elche we need to win as they are three very important points. Nothing else counts but to win. We need to take the step once and for all and move up the table. We have the ability to beat Elche” he stated.
Nino played a large part of his career for Elche CF, but right now there is no thought about being sentimental: I always like to visit the Martínez Valero stadium. But right now CD Tenerife is playing for everything”.
“I am confident that my colleagues can move forward. Every one of us has a special character and we are all going to fight as hard as we can. It is a really bad feeling to be where we are right now” commented the player from Almeria. He sees Antonio Tapia as the most important person to help the group saying: “The coach is really helping us. We are all together and this is how we will go on, along that line”.
“No one thought we would be here now. We are troubled to live through this situation and are going to try our best. We are going to try to stay fresh. We need to work for the fans that we have. I am still amazed by how things are here. I have lived through some great moments in my career and nearly all of the, have been with CD Tenerife. This is the sport to live for”, he finished
Antonio Hidalgo was the other player interviewed this Wednesday. He stated that, “On a sporting level this has been the most difficult season of my career. But no one here is going to give up. No one should think that we are not going to fight to the end. Here with this squad we have played better and worse but we have always tried to do our best”.
For Hidalgo it is evident that “We are doing very badly. We can't hide from that. The worst thing that can happen is that we drown in this pessimism. That the fans no longer believe in us. We hope with this thought in mind to look for the win on Sunday to help us with this”.
“Right now the situation is very complicated and we need to prove ourselves. We are really cross knowing all that the team means for the island. There is nothing left but to play for three points”, he added.
“We need to be brave and demonstrate we are still alive. We need to step up as now every game needs to count. We need to go back to playing the way we were five rounds ago”, the player finished.

CD Tenerife 1 - 2 Cordoba CF

Somethings aren't meant to be and although CD Tenerife went ahead with an early goal from Nino Cordoba equalized in the 31st minute. Melli was sent off for a foul on the last man in the 50th minute. The team from Andalusia then scored again and although CDT tried to the end they were unsuccessful.

CD TENERIFE   1 (1)
CÓRDOBA CF   2 (1)
CD TENERIFE
Sergio Aragoneses; Marc Bertrán, Melli, Ezequiel Luna, Pablo Sicilia; Omar, Antonio Hidalgo (Juanlu Hens, 59’), Kitoko, Dubarbier (Ricardo, 71’); Igor (Natalio, 59’) & Nino.
CÓRDOBA CF
Alberto García; Fernández, Richy, Tena, Fuentes; Alberto Aguilar, Jorge Luque; Callejón (Usero, 87’), Charles, Camile (Cabrera, 81’) & Pepe Díaz (Oriol Riera, 75’)
REFEREE
Daniel Ocón Arráiz, from La Rioja. Sent off local player, Melli (50’), as last man for a foul on Pepe Díaz, and the visiting trainer, Lucas Alcaraz. Also sent off with double yellow cards was, Pablo Sicilia (76’ y 92’). Yellow card for local player Marc Bertrán, and for visitors, Pepe Díaz & Fernández.
GOALS
1-0: (12’) Centered by Dubarbier, a header by Nino. 1-1: (31’) Callejón, from a free kick. 1-2: (56’) Alberto Aguilar with a straight shot at goal in the area.
INCIDENTS
Played in the Heliodoro Rodríguez López. On a cold afternoon with the grounds in good condition,
13.988 spectators present. One minutes silence was held in memory of all those who died in the catastrophe in Japan.

Hopes for the game on Saturday by Nino & Luna

Nino was happy this Wednesday that the last yellow card he was given on Saturday against Numancia was rescinded by Comité de Competición. The forward from Almeria admitted that he was, “Happy, The club worked really hard and managed to get this removed. This way I can play on Saturday for this important game if the coach needs me”.
The player said that the game against Córdoba CF “we are playing for more than the three points. More importantly that who starts in the first eleven, We need to win the three points without a shadow of a doubt. We hope to leave a win on the island and close the gap between us and the middle of the table”.

For his part, Ezequiel Luna, who was also interviewed on Wednesday by the press reminded the press of the importance of the game this Saturday: “There are few points left, the time is running out an we are working hard to get there. We will be working hard to win against Cordoba”.

The Argentine defender advised that “this Saturday only a win counts. We need to be positive, although we expect it to be hard. We need to save the situation how ever we can. We are playing with our people at home in the Heliodoro and we will go all out. We need to fight until the end”.

Omar and Nino look towards the next game.

“We are having a really bad time after Monday's game as the loss was hard. We need to get up and move on looking and thinking only about the game on Saturday. We had the first shot at goal and the ball hit the post. Then they did a lot of damage. But now we need to think about Numancia and adding points”.
Nino sounded convinced when he was interviewed by the press on Wednesday in the El Mundialito grounds. The CD Tenerife player called for the fans to have confidence in the team and seemed convinced that the group has the factors needed to change the dynamics in the last games.
“Everything changes from week to week but we need to be calm. I know that we are capable of moving forward. The team will go on. Although things are not good”.added the player from Andalusia.
“In Soria we will go all out for the win. We will gift nothing to nobody”, he concluded.
The other player interviewed was Omar Ramos. The local player said, “We are in a complicated situation. We need to think about the next game. We can only go on and look for the points to save the team. We tried out best and on Monday it didn't work out. We are having a really bad moment and we need to fight to get out of it”.
“This was my 50th league game. Now I need to score. It seems to get closer but never quite happens” said the lad from Tenerife.

CD Tenerife 1 - FC Barcelona B 4

CD TENERIFE               1          (0)
FC BARCELONA “B”         4          (2)
 
CD TENERIFE
Sergio Aragoneses; Juanlu Hens, Pablo Sicilia (Omar, 53’), Ezequiel Luna, Beranger; Antonio Hidalgo (Kome, 81’), Kitoko; Natalio (Igor, 64’), Julio Álvarez, Dubarbier & Nino.
 
FC BARCELONA “B”
Olazábal; Montoya, Bartra, Muniesa, Abraham; Fontás; Jonathan Dos Santos, Roberto (Ilie, 46’); Edu Oriol (Tello, 71’), Soriano (Benja, 53’) & Nolito.
 
REFEREE
Pedro Jesús Pérez Montero, from Andalusia. Sent off local player Dubarbier, with two yellow cards in the second half (36’ y 74’). Yellow cards for local player Eziquiel Luna;  and for visitor  Fontás.
 
GOALS
0-1: (22’) Edu Oriol, from a cross ball.  0-2: (41’) Nolito, from a pass by Bartra. 0-3: (79’) Nolito, in a counter attack. 0-4: (81’) Nolito, with a shot over the keepers head. 1-4: (86’) Nino, after a ball by the keeper.
 
INCIDENTS
The game was the twenty eighth round of the Liga Adelante in he second Spanish division, played in the Heliodoro Rodríguez Lópezstadium in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with the grass in good condition. Present in the stadium were 17.587 spectators on a cold wet afternoon. The first ball was taken by the new carnival queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Naomi Cabrera Pulido.

Interviews on Friday - Nino and Kome

“In front of us a another difficult game but we are on a good run, We are winning, adding up points and this is giving us confidence. We know that we can win games and we need to keep doing that”.
This was how Nino's press conference started. He also talked about the next rival in the league, “Celta has a good rhythm going in their games. They like to play the ball and more so at home. We need to know how we plan to play the match. We want to organise how we are going to play to our advantage. There are tow good teams in this game both of which are playing well right now”.
To conclude, Nino analysed the path CD Tenerife has followed in the last few games, “since the start of the second half of the league we have seen some good results. We need to go out on the pitch convinced that it is possible to win this match. The feeling right now is really positive. We are on the way up and the group is responding to this”.

Dani Kome was also interviewed when the team arrived in Madrid and started by commenting on the improvement that the CD Tenerife have seen. “The team has grown enormously, above all on the field. We are happier now and more concentrated, We will be trying for a good result in Vigo”.
The midfielder from Cameroon followed up saying, “ The team is better but in playing standard and in their attitude. We are no longer fearful on the pitch. In every aspect of the game we are more together and more concentrated. Before it was easy for teams to catch us in a counter attack but the team is better now and we are making the most of this. We are much better than at the start of the season. We need to get off the bottom of the table”.
When asked about his physical state, Kome admitted that “I feel good better physically. This year I am making the most of the minutes that the coach give me. It has been now I play now I don't. Some of the time I wasn't very well but now I feel much better. I will be trying to keep this up until the end”.
The press enquired how difficult it was for the blue and white “14” to be in the starting eleven, he pointed out, “the competition isn't just to be in the starting eleven it is to be in the list of players for each game. This is good for the team as each player needs to work as hard as he can”.
Dani Kome also talked about the next game. “we need to keep a clear plan of how we want to play, not on how our rival is. If we are strong then we can beat any rival. We are on a good run and have a few games without a loss. I hope we will continue on this line. If they respect us that's good. Although we are at the bottom, teams have respect. We need to demonstrate on the grass that they are right” he finished.

Win against the leader puts CD Tenerife on the path out of relegation.

A second win puts CD Tenerife on the path up and out of the relegation positions which have held them so long at the bottom of the table. Goals from Antonio Hidalgo and Nino served to put them ahead on the score board and secure them the three points they have so desperately needed.




CD TENERIFE 2 (0)
RAYO VALLECANO 1 (0)
CD TENERIFE
Sergio Aragoneses; Marc Bertrán, Pablo Sicilia, Ezequiel Luna, Beranger; Julio Álvarez, Antonio Hidalgo; Natalio, Kome (Juanlu Hens, 62’), Dubarbier (Omar, 76’); & Nino (Melli, 82’).
RAYO VALLECANO
Cobeño; Coke, Arribas, Borja Gómez, Casado; Javi Fuego, Movilla (Borja García, 76’); Trejo (Delibasic, 76’), Michel (David Aganzo, 58’); Piti & Armenteros.
REFEREE
Alfonso Pino Zamorano, from Castilla La Mancha. Sent off the second trainer of Rayo Vallecano (62’). Yellow cards for local players Dubarbier, Marc Bertránnn, Kome, Julio Álvarez, Beranger, Pablo Sicilia & Sergio Aragoneses; and for visitors, Javi Fuego, Arribas and a player on their bench.
GOALS
1-0: (62’) Antonio Hidalgo, from a penalty. 2-0: (67’) Nino, with a shot over the keeper into the open goal. 2-1: (93’) Armenteros, with a penalty.
INCIDENTS
Played in the Heliodoro Rodríguez López. Grass in good conditions. Present at the game were 15.944 spectators on a warm morning. The blue and white players wore black armbands and a minutes silence was held in the stadium for Diego Lozano, ex footballer and coach for CD Tenerife.

The players talk positively about the game against Granada

Nino & Ricardo León were the players who talked to the press in Tuesday after training finished. 





The forward from Almeria was first, he commented on CD Tenerife as it stands today, “Now we are prepared for the game this Wednesday, which is the most important thing. The reality is that, we need to live with this and move the situation forward however we can”. He continued on this line stating “The team wants to compete and we have a good chance against Granada. There is an important game waiting for us in the Heliodoro. We need to give everything”. Nino, also, showed his confidence in the squad. “I can't explain the present situation and there is nothing to do but work and play the best e can. The team needs to let go some of the stress. Here we are all good players and we can achieve more. We need to work a lot, compete at our best and start winning again. In good time and bad ones the players are the protagonists”, he added. “We need to break the negative streak”, The CD Tenerife forward went on, “because we have one objective and nothing can be allowed to distract us”he reminded the media. To conclude, Nino confessed that, in spite if the situation which the team finds itself “I have never regretted what Tenerife has given me. Exactly the opposite, I will always be grateful to the club”. Ricardo León, for himself, started by valuing the importance of the game against Granada. “We need the three points this Wednesday as they are again very important. If we win we can look at the future in another way. They are three points that can bring us towards our objective. We have a new chance, and a big one1in our own grounds”. And the Canarian midfielder , “We need to lift up our heads and win some games. We are all very vexed. Here are good quality players. The squad is capable of getting out of this situation”, he ended. Juanlu Hens was the player interviewed on Tuesday afternoon. The CDT midfielder talked about the experience of the players in the recent happenings; the draw in the derby, Mandia's leaving and the arrival of Tapia. “We are in a complicated situation and decisions were taken which we need to abide by”, explained Juanlu. In relation to the sacking of Mandia, “The game against relation to the sacking of Mandia Granada is vital. The players need to take the blame for much of what has happened and we need to tighten up our game to get out of where we are. This is something we have said before, but more than ever we need to keep these three points”, he said about Wednesday's game. About the new coach, The player from Cordoba said “Antonio Tapia is a hard working trainer, well prepared and knows the second division perfectly. I hope that with his help and out effort, we will achieve results. We are working to assimilate his ideas as quickly as possible”. Juanlu also commented on the return of Toño Hernández to the technical team “he knows the squad, he is loyal to the club and surely he will liaise between the coach and everyone else”. The Andalucian midfielder understands to ascend “clear your mind, work as hard as you can and put in the effort. We all want to work and help. What is important is the group and winning this next game on Wednesday”.

Miguel Concepcion breakfasts with the press.

The president of CD Tenerife, Miguel Concepción, had breakfast with members of the local press and media. The meal took place in the Hotel NH Santa Cruz. This meal took place on the penultimate day before the derby and many of the themes discussed were about the game against UD Las Palmas on Sunday. The breakfast meeting lasted an hour. At the end of this, Miguel Concepción & Miguel Ángel Ramírez, president of UD Las Palmas met in the reception of the Hotel NH Santa Cruz, both taking the time to wish each other luck in the up coming game. Here are some of the topics covered.

INTRODUCTION.- “On Sunday we will have a great experience. The Derby is a game we all await with hope. I wish that this will be the game where the fans will finally be compensated for all their faith. For this we need the squad to respond to the needs of the club. I am sure they will make the effort and show their potential. I believe this will be the game where we move up. In my five years as president we have never lost a Derby. I have seen three draws and three wins. Now I want to see the forth win”.
DERBY.- “These are special games, the ones where you live the competition. I don't think this will be a miserable game. I see it will be a more exciting game than usual. Here we are after a bad start and Las Palmas who started better aren't doing well right now. We hope this will be the game where we wake up” and “This is a game that will leave the loser hurt”.
TICKETS.- “We have 22.000 seats in the Heliodoro and UD approx 30.000 in their grounds. They therefore have the chance to be more generous than us. That said for this derby they asked for 500 tickets and we gave them. Then Viajes Halcón asked for 400 more tickets and these were given. The away fans are seated in the area on San Sebastián, where it meets Herradura. There will as always I am sure be other fans in the other stands, people who have organised their own trip. We gave Las Palmas the tickets they asked for. I understood they were happy”. “I think the stadium will be full this weekend. Right now there are very few tickets left to sell”. “ We have made an effort for the fans with the three and four game packs. The reason there were queues at the stadium was they can only buy 4 tickets each but that is the law”.
RAMÍREZ.- “I have read various declarations he has made about the ticket sales. He knows that our field has limited space. And in this sort of game security is very important. I also want to be assured that when we go to Gran Canaria that UD Las Palmas will fulfil their obligations”.
TELEVISION.- “This club signed a contract with Canal Satélite Digital. I know that the Canarian government have declared the derby is a general interest game, using a law which has now been disapproved. In this fight we are on the side of our client, who has special interest to show this game. If it is shown live that will damage their business. This wouldn't be good for future television rights sales. I also think that the game should be shown to all Canarians but then Television Canaria should negotiate with the holder of those rights2. “The way I see it today the game will not be shown on open television. Although I am not sure if a judicial sentence won't make some difference”.
PATHWAY.- “As any club president, I think we would like for a rival to give us an honour path into the last game, because this would mean we had won the league. Last summer that is what I said when someone asked me about the last game which we would play in Gran Canaria. I said it with no bad ideas although if I have offended some people I am sorry. I repeat I said it honestly. It was what I thought and I expressed that thought. I can now assure you there will be no honour path for my team”.
RESULTS.- “This will be a hard fought battle. The one who will win is the one with most chances. We will fight hard but it won't be easy. I wouldn't think of guessing the result. I know that UD will go all out for this match. But for my part, I am sure this is a game that will make the fans happy”.
NINO.- “I hope he will score on Sunday. He is our star player. I know that this year things aren't going the way he wanted them too”.
TEAM.- “I will ask the team to give the fans back all the love they have given us this year. I know that many of the fans have made sacrifices to be with us this year. And they deserve a victory. The support we have seen has no price, and can never be repaid”. “The players are all committed”.
RIVERO.- “I asked the Government president if he would be at the game this Sunday. I don't think you should miss the Canarian football party. But I can't finally say if he will be there or not”.

SIGNINGS.- “I spoke this morning to Sports director Juan José Lorenzo and we are hopeful to inform you in the next few hours of a signing of a midfielder. I hope for two or three more signings before the game against Girona”. “I understand that some players say no to CD Tenerife right now as we are last in the table. But our present classification in an accident. We are going up from there, our best reputation is that here the players get paid. It is also true that in the winter market players wait until the last minute to decide where they want to change too. We don't like this, we want to sign players as soon as possible. The negotiations are going well”. “We had no discussions with player Leo Borzani”. “If three new players arrive perhaps some player might go”. “The sports director is looking at players who might leave. All our players are important, but if some have no way to play or there is no space, then perhaps it would be better if they look for somewhere else to play”.
MANDÍA.- “I see him as very implicated and preoccupied. In football its clear that trainers need wins. I support him to the maximum but we need to see results”.
TEAM.- “Something went wrong. In August, we all thought that we had the second best squad at this level. Things didn't work out and we felt obliged to change the technical team. At this stage we feel the need to reinforce the squad”.
RELEGATION.- “It doesn't even pass through my thoughts. When I came to the club I was asked the same thing and I would preside over the club at any level. That said, my time is over after five years in the position. Right now is not a good time to change the administrative organisation. Right now how to help the team is the principal problem”.
FINANCE.- “We have done what we ought to have, the best we could. After five years here, I have achieved the things I set out to. Although perhaps there were other who could have done it better. For this reason I don't feel I should stay longer in the presidency. Perhaps it is time for someone else. But nether the less it is not easy to manage a club like CD Tenerife. You need to look at the suppliers and not leave the sports area alone unsupervised so results are achieved. I think there are many here who could take the club. I would like to finish but CD Tenerife will always have my support”.
BERTRÁN.- “The negotiations are in his representatives hands. We were told it was not the best time to discuss. This is what Santiago Llorente was told before he left the club. I don't know if in the future a time will come when we an all negotiate. I don't know if the layer has signed anywhere else. The player says no and I take his word, although if he decides to leave we would respect that”.
HELP.- Both Tenerife and Las Palmas are sponsored by the Canarian government. We are not negotiating any further aid. What is more it is not the moment for that”.

Pre - Derby round up.

Thursday Morning ticket sales for the Derby in the Heliodoro started. There was high demand. Hundreds of people waited for the office to open. The Popular stand behind the goal sold out within a couple of hours. There were 3000 tickets available and they are expected to sell out before Sunday. There were 1,150 packs sold between the three and four game ones.

Fuentealta, a company who are committed sponsors of CD Tenerife will be adding a little colour to the Derby. As a high interest game they will hand out more than 18,000 blue and white flags amongst the fans who are at the game to help increase the atmosphere at the game.

Dani Kome knows how it is to live the Canarian Derby. Two years ago he lived the triumphs against Las Palmas and as such knows the importance of these games. The Cameroon national player was in the press room on Wednesday. “We know there will be many fans in the stadium this Sundays game, there always are for a Derby. I hope history will repeat itself” the forward started. “It is a great opportunity for us. A triumph against Las Palmas, at home with our fans will serve to gain confidence”.
About the change of position on the field Dani explained that “I feel very well and hope to play this game, which is so special for the whole island. I am happy playing in the centre. If that is where the coach wanted me then great”.
“We are going to give everything and gift nothing this game. If we win the fans will have more confidence in us too and this will give the players wings. On Sunday we will play all out for the three points, so everyone can go home happy. A derby is like a final and we will play one hundred percent. There are no favourites, but I only think about going out to win” he concluded
For his part Pablo Sicilia knows how to live through a Derby. The player who is from Gran Canaria has experienced Derby's before, “It is very special. If you are Canarian probably more so. To play one, and more than that win one  is a great objective. With the possibility of winning the three points I wouldn't care who scores. There is no better gift we could give the fans than a win against Las Palmas”.
“I feel privileged. It is a dream to play in a classic game like this. It is awesome. Who ever is in the Heliodoro, will enjoy a very emotional day”, he added.
“The derby's are always remembered. The chance to be there is lovely. Bad runs don't exist when you meet your greatest rival. We are all ready to give the maximum for every minute of the game”, he finished.


Mikel Alonso also know what a CD Tenerife-UD Las Palmas game feels like. The blue and white midfielder understands the importance of Sunday's game and expressed himself this way. “The derbys are the games you feel the most. With maximum emotion. It is football at its maximum. We want to make our fans happy. I know that is a giant step. We need to tighten our game and do this for the fans. The are always there for us. We want to make this a great game. It is a Canarian football party. The players are trying their best”, said the Basque.
Mikel, who on Thursday trained part of the session on one side due to injury hopes not to miss the game: “I hope I will recover quickly to be able to join the squad as soon as possible. We need to wait and see. Then if need be I can force it. If I can I hope to play ”.
Thursday the squad trained in the Heliodoro. It was the first session there this week. They trained for and hour and 20 minutes. Cristian, Josmar Zambrano, Moreno, Bruno y Germán, were all there to train with the first team.
Tomorrow, Friday the squad will be again in the Mundalito from 10 am. Juan Carlos Mandía, the CDT trainer will have a press conference after the session.
12 players in the present squad have taken part in a Canarian Derby:Marc Bertrán, Ricardo, Pablo Sicilia, Nino, Antonio Hidalgo, Sergio Aragoneses, Iriome, Kome, Juanlu Hens, Ezequiel Luna, Luis García y Mikel Alonso. Marc Bertran has played more than any other player. He has had the chance to take part in 6 Canarian classic games. The result of which is positive. He has played in three victories and three draws.
Of the Canarian players Ricardo León y Pablo Sicilia have played on 5 different occasions against Unión Deportiva.

Local player Iriome González managed on his first game against Las Palmas to score two goals against them. Nino has also managed two goals but in different games.
Dani Kome, Juanlu Hens, Ezequiel Luna, Luis García & Mikel Alonso have always seem wins when they played.
Saturday night there will be a dinner for the club representatives including presidents Miguel Concepción for Tenerife and Miguel Ángel Ramírez for Gran Canaria and they will dine in the Restaurant Los Limoneros, in Guamasa.

New Years Draw in Valladolid - Game notes.

A draw that tastes like a victory, Tenerife gained a point in Pucela. Mandía's lads managed to fight back to a draw twice against Real Valladolid. Nino managed the 1-1 and Iriome the 2-2. This second goal came right in the final minutes of the game.
With an electric start Valladolid scored the first time they reached the goal area (minute 8) Oscar managed to get the ball and score but their happiness didn't last long. In the tenth minute Nino put the ball in the net after a header by Prieto bounced off the post.
Just before 30 minutes played Julio Álvarez passed to Nino, who then put Justo Villar's reflexes to the test. But the Paraguay national keeper saved the ball. Minutes later Nauzet transformed a free kick just outside the goal area into 2-1.
This goal came from a foul by Prieto who then asked to be changed. The man from Andalusia felt dizzy after the blow in the head he received minutes before.
With the 2-1 on the score board, Valladolid stepped back and let CD Tenerife play. The blanquiazules had difficulty getting to the rival goal area. Minutes passed and the players started to unravel. A header from Melli ended up in the side of the net was the best play for the visitors And Jofre had a good chance to score the 3-1.
The second half started with a change in the CD Tenerife side. Iriome came on for Beranger, Juanlu moved over to the right side and Pablo the left side. The island players grew as the minutes passed. With Natalio on the wing and Julio Alvarez closer to Nino, chances were sure to come.
But when the visitors were at their best Valladolid made some dangerous plays. First Melli and then Sergio Aragoneses saved two certain goals. The game moved up and down the field. Then Óscar had a great chance to sentence the game.
As the game drew to a close it seemed that CD Tenerife struggled for air. Kome came on for Ricardo, which meant that Julio Álvarez passed to mid field and Natalio went back in the front which seemed to leave the Tenerifians with no ideas.
When everything seemed to indicate that a loss was on the cards, Iriome caught the ball in the air for a splendid header which finished in the back of the net. And that is how the game finished.
REAL VALLADOLID 2 (2)
CD TENERIFE 2 (1)
REAL VALLADOLID
Villar; Barragán, Valiente, Navas, Peña; Rubio, Rueda (Jorge, 60’); Nauzet (Álvaro, 76’), Óscar (Baraja, 73’); Jofre & Guerra.
CD TENERIFE
Sergio Aragoneses; Pablo Sicilia, Beranger (Irome, 46’), Melli, David Prieto (Luna, 25’); Juanlu, Javier Álvarez, Mikel Alonso, Ricardo (Kome, 76’); Natalio & Nino.
REFEREE
Bernabé García, from Murcia. Yellow cards for local players Baraja, Rubio, Navas & Guerra; and for visitors Beranger, Julio Álvarez, Prieto, Iriome & Luna.
GOALS
1-0: (8’) Óscar, with a short shot. 1-1: (10’) Nino, after the ball returned. 2-1: (26’) Nauzet, from a free kick. 2-2: (88’) Iriome, with a header.
INCIDENTS
Played in the Jose Zorrilla stadium. On a cold afternoon. Grounds in good condition with 8.388 spectators.

Nino makes his position clear.

Nino has again made his position very clear. The forward for CD Tenerife was the player interviewed today, Wednesday at the end of the training session in the Mundialito training grounds. The forward from Almeria, was definite when he spoke explaining his commitment to the blue and white project.
“The only thing I can say is I am a CD Tenerife player. And I will continue to be a CD Tenerife player. I am 100 percent committed to helping the team get out of this position” stated Nino when asked about rumors of the interest several clubs had in him.
“I am only thinking about my team and no other thought come into my mind. The number are as they are and the position we are in is very uncomfortable . The whole group needs to work to get us out of here” he added.
“It isn't easy. We have suffered two losses in a row and that is still very much in our minds. But we need to go for more and become more positive. This isn't easy for anyone” added the goal scorer.
Nino was also asked his opinion on the change of sports director with Llorente going and Lorenzo arriving. “The club always tries to do its best. We respect their decisions”.

Aitor Núñez was the other player interviewed on Wednesday. The defender started to talk about the state of mind of the group. “We want to do well. We had a week to completely disconnect. And now we need to give everything as we have a difficult chore. We need to improve, more up the table and get out of relegation. We need to achieve wins which will give us points”.
When asked about playing in the first eleven, Núñez only commented that “with the accumulation of cards that Marc Bertrán has it may be that I get the chance to be in the team. In any case I am ready and prepared to give everything when my chance comes. I am calm although if you don't get the chance to play it is always hard”.
”One always hopes for the chance to play. The option to leave in January is there but my mind is very much still with CD Tenerife. Many things might still happen,” he concluded.