"We need to finish as high as we can" said Ricardo Leon

Ricardo León & Mikel Alonso were the two players who were interviewed in Ciudad Deportiva Geneto-Los Baldíos. The mid-fielders for the blue and white team both think the classification position the team finds itself in conditions their game against Granada this weekend.
For Ricardo “it is clear the the end of the league for us is difficult and we want to finish the best we can. There are still possibly chances. The group feels bad, hurt. The season has been hellish, both personally and generally”.
“Before playing at home in the Heliodoro it was a fortress. This year at home we have had no consistency. After going up and the year in La Liga, living through this situation hurts. And this has been my home for a long time”, explained the local player.
“Right now everyone of us needs to give their best. There is nothing to lose. We need to give everything, to forget the pressure and play football. If play how we should, we could show Granada a thing or two” he concluded.
Mikel Alonso answered “I am working hard to play this week”, when he was asked about his chances to start in Los Cármenes because of the player who can't play in midfield.
For the Basque player, “We need to change the run. We want to do this but we need to play well and against a strong rival like Granada its hard. We need to concentrate on the game, on the best of our play”.
“We need to win all the points we can. We have an obligation and need to try our best. This is an important game. The calculations are as they are. We can all add up and it is normal that you do this but we need to think about how to play” he finished.

Mathematically there is still a way out - said Sergio Aragoneses

Mathematically there is still a way out. We need to break his negative run and we are going to try our hardest until the end”. This is how Sergio Aragoneses started his press conference on Wednesday in the Heliodoro.
For the keeper from Galicia, “we need to think that there are still chances, this is why we still need to try until the end. We will go all out for the three points next game”. “We are living in a situation that isn't great for anyone” he added.
“I feel like everyone. This is a group, in the good times and that bad ones. The players can get the club out of this and we are going to try our best. We need to see how we can do this to the advantage of everyone”, explained Aragoneses, for whom, “we are holding onto the option of salvation and we are going to try any way possible”.
Mikel Alonso was also interviewed today and for the player from the Basque region ”we need to turn the page, to think about the game next Saturday. In Alcorcón we had it in our hand and we let it go. We need to concentrate on the day to day training”.
Alonso was questioned about his return to the team after week of absence. Amaral used him in the second half against Alcorcon.
“I feel good. I played nine minutes and tried to help the team, but at the end we lost the points” he explained.
“We need to respect the work all the coaches are doing and all our colleagues. I would like to play more but I have the utmost respect for the decisions the coach makes” he added.
When asked about the next rival he said “Villarreal B has young players and great players. They will make things difficult for us”.
When asked about the reasons that have bought CD Tenerife to the position in the table, Mikel Alonso commented that “It is a complicated moment because things are just going right. Everyone in the club is trying hard. We are working to the maximum and there is no way out. Lets see with the next game things turn around and with it better results”.
“I can only think about the training and what might happen this weekend” he concluded.

Remember the Xerez game in 2009?

CD Tenerife & Xerez CD have confronted each other 17 times in their history on the island and the blue and whites have a strong winning run. The Canarian team has won 12 of the games with the Andalucian winning only three. The other two matches ended up in a draw.

Both teams had the bitter sweet end to last season when they descended from the first division to the second. The last time they played each other on the island was October 2009 when the blue and whites won 1-0 with a goal from Alfaro.

The first squad continued training for the match this Friday today in the El Mundalito grounds with a session which lasted an hour and 45 minutes.

After their habitual warm up the players did a series of exercises which allowed them to practise ball skills in the whole field. Afterwards they did some sessions of pressure play and then they played a match in reduced space on the pitch.

Today both Ricardo León and Igor completed the first part of the session, then they retired to the changing rooms. Also Melli and Kitoko completed the session with full training. As often Josmar Zambrano & Dani Mederos, from the CD Tenerife B were present.

The first CD Tenerife squad will be back at work on Wednesday at 10am in the El Mundialito grounds.

Mikel Alonso was on of the two players interviewed today. He commented on how he sees CD Tenerife playing right now. The mid-fielder said, “The team is working well and we need to be strong. Xerez is having a good season but we are fine now and capable of beating any rival”.

The blue and white player commented “all the games in the second division are hard. They have rhythm and intensity. We want to get out of the relegation positions and if we carry on playing the way we are then we will get then. Lets see if we can do it this weekend”.

When asked about his playing Alonso explained “You always notice when you haven't been playing And I have missed more games are we had some mid week ones. I finally played a little but I am not happy because although I got the chance to play at the end we lost and went home with that bad taste in our mouth. It is good to see competition and that we all want to play”.

The other player interviewed was Pablo Sicilia, who couldn't play due to federation punishment against Celta. “Now we need to train hard and I hope I will be able to play in the next game. We know Xerez well. They have good player and we will need to compete well to keep the three points at home”.

The defender from Gran Canaria continued explaining that, “as we move up the table things will seem different. I remember the CD Tenerife-Xerez the year we went up. This was a vital game for us and we managed with one player less. The fans pulled us together in a fashion that was outstanding and will always be one of my favourite memories”he finished.

Monday interviews with Antonio Hidalgo & Míkel Alonso

Antonio Hidalgo & Míkel Alonso were the two players who attender the press on Monday after training in the El Mundialito training grounds.
The Catalan midfielder for recognised that the victory in the Helmantico was, “an important victory that reaffirms the style of play we have learnt in the last few games. This triumph not only brings points but helps our moral”, he added.
On this theme Hidalgo continued by saying, “It was fundamental that we won, but today we need to think only about Rayo. With the help of the fans we hope to again celebrate more points”.
In reference to his return to the starting eleven the blue and white player said, “Antonio Tapia, since his arrival, had confidence in me. We are all putting in maximum effort to move out of the situation we are in. There is a long way to go and we need to move up as soon as possible”.
To conclude, the player from Barcelona commented again on the teams position in the table saying, “This season we are suffering. In Salamanca we added three points and that is all. We need to keep going, Really going as there is a long way to go. The next objective is Rayo and after that to move little by little up the table”.
Míkel Alonso, then talked, the player confessed that the last victory, “Changes many things and our position in the table. We need to concentrate on one game at a time and learn how to win, that way things will go well. We are still in a bad position. Right now the leader of the league is visiting and we need to go into this with an attitude that we can win”.
The player from Guiipuzcoana, on the same theme commented how they needed to renew their strength on the island. “At home, traditionally, CD Tenerife has been strong. We need to improve in the Heliodoro. We are looking to able to abandon the relegation positions and wins at home are vital for this. As a squad we need to shine, be solid in defence and difficult to beat. We have made the first step and now we need to move on down that path” he added.
To finish, Alonso spoke about his personal fitness, “The body is in charge. I am improving and hope soon to be fit so I too can help”.

Friday interviews with Antonio Tapia & Marc Bertran.

Antonio Tapia knows that the way to improve the CD Tenerife play is to improve the quality of the first squad. Although he hasn't yet been here a week, the Andalucian trainer understands the difficulties but knows the way forward.


Tapia was with the press on Friday morning in the El Mundialito training grounds after the morning training session. The press conference was offered before the home game against Girona FC, the first game of the second half of the Liga Adelante.
CD Tenerife comes to this match with three missing in defence. Melli, Luna & Beranger will miss the game for accumulation of yellow cards. Although this doesn't seem to be a problem for Tapia: “It is an opportunity to see some of the players who were not on the pitch the other night. We need to take a positive lesson. Here all the players are important and I hope they all do well”.
The man in charge of the Tenerife team knows the “medicine” for CD Tenerife's illness: “We need to believe in what we are doing. Against Granada they tried. We are going to keep on working on all aspects of the game especially those things that didn't turn out quite right on Wednesday”.
“All of this group has demonstrated in stages of their football careers that they can do more. We are working to improve the level of their game and the results”, he added.
Tapia pointed out that there needs to be a point that makes the change possible for CD Tenerife: “We are in a complicated situation, but we are convinced that if we do things right and with the help of the fans, we can move forward”.
Antonio Tapia is convinced that CD Tenerife has the strength to leave these problems behind “The team can count on some great players and they are professionals. I came to give them a hand so they can recover the best version of themselves”.
When asked about Sunday's rival Tapia responded that “Girona's style is to play the ball. They play good football and have well known players at this level”.
In relation to possible signings, Tapia only commented that, “I have talked several times with the sports director and any questions you have about this matter should go to him, to Juanjo Lorenzo. The decisions taken will be agreed by all”.
The first CD Tenerife squad trained Friday morning in their penultimate session of the week.
At 10 am they were on the grass and trained for 60 minutes, after a talk by the technical team.
Marc Bertrán y Sergio Aragoneses worked separately from the group. Mikel Alonso completed the session and did extra work with the readaptator. Also present from CD Tenerife B were Josmar Zambrano, Dani Mederos & Moreno.
Tomorrow at 10am, in the Heliodoro, with the door shut will be the last training session. After there will be interviews with two of the players.
At the end of training practise on Friday, Marc Betrán was the player to be interviewed. The captain spoke to start with about his injury, “I hope to be able to play in the game on Sunday and in this way help the team. We will see how it goes. In the first half of the Granada game I had problems, but I managed to keep going. By the end, as a precaution, it was better I was changed off”.
The Catalonian understood that the group had shown a different style on Wednesday. “We received a goal and fought back. We need some time to accustom us to the new coach. Although so far everything has been positive”.
For Bertrán, the lesson from the present situation is clear: “We could have won the last three games. At times we were ahead on the score board. We are near to start to win again. I am convinced that things will come right. For the situation we find ourselves we need to win. And against Girona we have a game that is fundamental. Our rival is in a safe position in the table and if we do things right we will achieve the three points”.
“We need to take the first step of many. We are obliged to win”, he finished.

Training again today and interviews with Mikel Alonso and David Prieto

The CD Tenerife first team went back to work this morning . Starting training at 11am in the Mundialito grounds, later than normal as the previous game was last night.
The members of the squad who played did recovery and there was more intensive training for those who hadn't played.
Marc Bertrán was in the gym away from the group. Sergio Aragoneses couldn't finish the session. Mikel Alonso trained normally although the last section he did specific recovery exercises. Josmar Zambrano, from the B team was also present. The next session is on Friday at 10am also in the El Mundialito after which will be the weekly press conference with Antonio Tapia.

Mikel Alonso is missed, the Basque midfielder has been unavailable for the last few games because of an unfortunate back injury. That said, he is working to be back as soon as possible under coach Antonio Tapia's orders and be able to help the group.
“I feel better every day. I am achieving more each day but I am still not altogether well. With the help of the medical team I hope to be back as soon as possible. I hope maybe for the game against Girona but if it not to be then soon”, explained the Tenerife player.
The player, who was interviewed in Thursday's press conference. Also talked about he last game, the draw against Granada: “The win escaped us and we feel deceived. For one thing or another we are losing important points. We know what our objective is in the second half of the season. We have these hopes and every day we work hard thinking only about those objectives”.
“we need results, the situation is difficult but no we need to maintain our confidence” he added.
David Prieto was also interviewed. For the left defender, the objective for the next few months I clear: “In the first half we got left behind and in the second we need to be good. We need to add points especially the three against Girona”.
When asked about the change of trainer, with Mandia leaving and Tapia arriving, Prieto said he believes, “every coach has his ideas and his style of working. We are trying to assimilate this as quickly as possible”.
Lastly, with reference to Wednesday’s game against Granada, the defender commented that “with the 2-1 we should have closed the game. We need to learn these things. We only think about the three points. We should build a good defence, the group should stick together and push for a win. We need to work well and be prepared. But above all we need to think we can win against Girona”.

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.

Before the last away game in the first half

CD Tenerife plays this Sunday the last away game of the first half of the league against Ponferrada. There are three home games to be played before the cycle is completed. The group under Juan Carlos Mandía journey to León today Saturday and they are prepared for everything. The finished their weekly training today Saturday with an hour and a half session the the HRL with closed doors.
After the session Mandía offered the list of 18 player who will travel to Ponferrada: Luis García, Marc Bertrán, Carlos Bellvís, Antonio Hidalgo, Pablo Sicilia, Nino, Ricardo, Omar, Sergio Aragoneses, Natalio, Dani Kome, David Prieto, Juanlu Hens, Melli, Julio Álvarez, Mikel Alonso, Iriome &Josmar Zambrano.
Players Beranger & Aitor Núñez, we left out for technical decisions. Josmar Zambrano occupies the position left vacant by defender Ezequiel Luna.

This Saturday in the press room of the Heliodoro the two players who were interviewed were Sergio Aragoneses & Mikel Alonso. Two of the most experienced players in CD Tenerife. Both the Galician and the Basque player were agreed in the importance of the game on Sunday in Ponferrada.
“There is no option but to gain points three by three. We are going to Ponferrada and our only thought is to win. What has happened up to now has to be left behind. We need to think positively”, started the keeper.
“There is dedication and we are prepared to sacrifice but perhaps we are missing other things. We have tried everything in every game but for what ever reason we haven’t managed many victories. The team need to work as a group. We all need to defend and all need to attack”, he added as he was asked what had led the CD Tenerife to the situation they find themselves.
“We hope that in the next few weeks that we will be a turning point in CD Tenerife for this season”, he commented, sending a message to the fans. When asked about the arrival of Sebastián Dubarbier, the first winter signing, Aragoneses stated that “new people bring air fresh air and this is positive”.

For his self, Mikel Alonso started by stating that this Sunday, “is important. Right now we need the points. As well we play a direct rival. It is an urgent game and because of this the result is consuming. We can't continue at the the bottom of the table sunk there”.
When questioned about the bad position in the the classification table and whether the team preferred to play at home in the Heliodoro or away, the midfielder noted that, “Right now it is all the same at home or away because all the points added to the total count the same. Every point is gold. This is what we have been saying the whole league, but week by week our necessity is greater. A victory would be very important. But if I had to choose where to play it would always be in our stadium.”.
Alonso thanked the fans for the warm support the players had received in spite of the situation they team found themselves in the last few months, “The fans have always been at the teams side. Looking at where we are the stadium has been very busy. It is normal that there have been criticisms”.
About Ponferradina he said that “they haven't many points and are in a difficult position. They fight, their game is direct and at home they push hard. They have their own weapons. But if we know how to move the ball we will have our chances”.
“Tenerife is the most important. The rivals game is less important. The group needs to move the situation forward, look that things go right for us. I see the team well, there are no ugly faces, we want to work and are anxious that the weekend game will be here” he concluded.

Players comments during the first week of the year.

There were various player interviews this week and I have put them into this post. On Wednesday David Prieto and Marc were interviewed.

David Prieto is confident that the team will triumph again on Sunday against Albacete Balompié. The central defender for CD Tenerife admitted that “the point we added away from home really counts for us because we managed to draw on two occasions coming back each time. Now we are only thinking about adding the three points at home”.
The blue and white player told that he feels better now after the knock that he received in Real Valladolid “I have some pains in my neck, but nothing more”. This way the island player stated that “in the Heliodoro we want to be strong and achieve triumphs. We know how important it is to win this Sunday. From there we will be able to concentrate and making January a good month”.

David Prieto reminded that “the important game is Albacete, amongst other reasons because it is the next game we play. We need to achieve this victory to make us strong. The way things are, every game is vital. We need to make the point against Valladolid count”.

For his part, Marc Bertrán who also attended the press conference hoped, “to be fit to play this weekend, I feel well and am happy. Last Sunday the team was good and played well. We need to take forward the positive factors from that game”.

Now, the blue and white defender hopes “this will be a new year in all senses. Lets see if the team can move up and recover confidence. At home, with our fans, we need to be strong and play as a competitive team. That's how we can get out from under.”.

Bertrán admitted that “we are concentrated on the weekend and the only thin that is important is Albacete. These are three vital points and right now all I can think about is the situation the group finds itself in, in how to help CD Tenerife leave the relegation zone. The team needs everyone to move forwards”.
He was then asked if he could see himself leaving to which he replied that anything was possible. The following day he rectified this statement saying he thought the question meant in June not in the winter. He confirmed again that he was very committed to the team and really wanted to help them. He then assured the press that he would not be leaving in January.

Wednesday afternnon after training Dani Kome, Natalio, Julio Álvarez, Iriome, Carlos Bellvís, Mikel Alonso & Luis García went to the university hospital to visit children who were staying in the hospital over the holidays.

Also on Thursday, Natalio Lorenzo & Mikel Alonso were the duo who met the press, in the HRL after the training session there.
Natalio started saying, “To get this month on the right track we need to win the next game, this is important”. He followed by saying that “ the fans are really loyal to the team and it is normal that they are fed up with the results. This Sunday, everyone together we will win. The Heliodoro needs to be a fortress”.
Natalio Lorenzo noted that the rival this weekend is “Albacete, they are reinforcing their team so it will be hard. There are three important points in play.
We all know the situation, and we need to meet this situation bravely. We play at home, in the Heliodoro, with all our people and we can show everyone positive moves”.
“The coach is very demanding will each and every one of us. I am trying to bring the best of me to every session and game”, he concluded.
On his side, Mikel Alonso also talked about the unbelievable importance of the game this Sunday against Albacete: “we need the points and more so at home. This could be a good game and e are all keen to bring home the three points. Last Sunday, the team showed they could react. We showed we could play well and that point counts high”.
When asked about the next rival the basque midfielder pointed out that “Albacete right now are direct rivals and we need to beat them to move up”.
“The changing room is in form. But this is a difficult season. We know we need triumphs”. When asked about his future on the island, Alonso only commented that “ I am centered on the club and the tam this isn't the moment to talk about individuals”.

The club also released an in depth interview with Sergio Aragoneses who came to the club the first time in September 2000. His first game then was against Albacete. This Sunday will be the 150th league game he has played for the club. “I always looked up to Luis Miguel Arconada” stated the keeper. “He was a reference for my generation, in Spanish football he was a keeper who marked an era”.

-¿Was CD Tenerife the team who most signified for you as a player?
“The truth is yes. This is the club who gave me the chance to play in the first and second divisions. I am proud to say I play for them and will always be grateful to CDT for these chances”.
-¿Where do you think you would have gone if you hadn't come to play for the blanquiazul in 2000?
“I had some offers but it was here that called me most. especially with the players who were here. I bet that Tenerife was the right choice and I think I made the right decision”.
-¿How could teams like Deportivo, Celta or even at that time teams like Compostela, let a keeper of your qualities go?
“Life is like that. They saw that a prophet is never appreciated in his home town. It is true that I would have loved to play for one of the teams in my region but things didn't work out that way. I am grateful to the teams I had the chance to play for”.
-This Sunday will be the game number 150 in league games you have played for Tenerife?
“ For any player 150 games is an important number of games to have played in one club. To have worn the Tenerife colours all these years and in so many games is wonderful and I hope to keep doing so”.
-¿How do you see the team?
“The group seem calm. Still, we need to be conscious of the situation we find ourselves in and we all take part in this worry. We need to go out to every game as if it is a authentic final to try to achieve the three points each round. The most important objective right now is to save the team. For this we need a lot of points. We need to start now, this Sunday, to aspire to stop being last”.
-Next month you will be 34 and you seem fit enough top go on playing for a while
“I hope so. I find I am well both physically and mentally. I still have the same hopes and dreams as when I started and no one can take them away”.
-¿Can you see yourself any where else in another team who aren't Tenerife?
“Right now I see myself here. I am very comfortable here both professionally and personally. It is the club who found me and bought me her to the island, I feel like another Tenerifian”.
-If anything with the passing of time the fans seem to esteem you more and more......
“Trust develops little by little. In my case, I had two stages in Tenerife which were completely different. This is one of the reasons I am proud of the support of the fans”.
-¿Any message for the Tenerife fan base?
“To the fans I can only ask that they maintain the support we have seen for the last three years. They are especially good and this will help us move out from the bottom of the table”.

Mikel Alonso

“We have had time to disconect, to think and recharge our batteries. The situation is delicate. Mikel Alonso was the player who talked to the press on Thursday and he talked about the players and how they felt after the xmas break last weekend.
“We need to go from one game to the next. Although it is difficult not to look long term. We need to move up the ranking to get out of the dangerous area in the bottom of the table”, he explained in reference to the position that the team are in right now after four months of the league.
The Basque mid-fielder spoke too about the changes in the technical team stating that, “The club makes decisions always looking for the best result. It is not my position to talk about that. I am sure the new Sports Director will try to do the job as well as he can”.
About this weeks rival Alonso considered that “All the teams need points. Valladolid will come out fighting and more so as they are at home. We will have to do the same from the first minute. It will be hard, as is any game in this category”.