Interviews
VIE 21.11.2014
The sales of Mikel Rico and Brahimi by Granada CF could have left a gaping hole in the centre of the pitch if it weren’t for Fran Rico (Portonovo, Pontevedra, 1987). The Galician has taken a huge step forward this season and has grown under the stewardship of Joaquín Caparrós. Up to now he has started 10 of the 11 games, and Rico is one of the side’s shining lights.
LFP.es: The next challenge is 16th placed Almería. How will you go into the game?
Rico: It’s an important game, they’re a direct rival in the league. Last year they hurt us at home, and therefore we want to make amends, and get the win. They have some tricky players and they are showing that they can score with ease. We will try to dominate the game and play at our own pace.
LFP.es: After a tricky start, where do you think the side can improve?
Rico: There are games that we’ve lost due to some individual mistakes, and these can hurt you in the next games with regards to confidence. If we hadn’t have lost these points everything would be a lot different now. In the last few games we’re correcting that and we are looking better.
"Caparrós lives football and he is instilling that passion into us so we are more competitive"
LFP.es: You’ve played 10 games, all of them as a starter; do you play with more confidence knowing you’re one of the most important players for you manager?
Rico: To have the confidence of the boss is important to feel good. It is still early with very few games having been played, and we are seeing our XI varied quite a lot. Whoever isn’t on top of their game, the boss, no matter who it is, will drop them. For this I do not rest on my laurels, nor relax because I know that I have to be on top of my game; if not I know that someone else will take my place.
LFP.es: The boss said the other day that you need to create more chances; how can you do this?
Rico: In the last game against RC Celta we created a lot of clear chances, which is something we haven’t been doing. We must stick to the positives: the defensive players picking the ball up quickly and trying to generate play because we aren’t a side that finds it naturally easy to score. There are games where one will do, but that’s a rarity. Up front we need to have more confidence.
"To live Liga BBVA and to play consistently is a satisfaction, and I try to take advantage of each moment"
LFP.es: The boss is in his first season at Granada. What’s he like close up?
Rico: I always say, what people see from the outside, how he experiences the games, his gestures, everything he transmits is what he has instilled into us during training sessions. He is the same. He lives football and he has attempted to instil this passion into us so we are competitive on the pitch.
LFP.es: After the departures of Brahimi and Mikel Rico, you’ve taken on the responsibility in the middle of the park for Granada. Have you grown as a player with such responsibility?
Rico: For me, since the start of last season, it has been like starting again given I was injury for so long. I enjoy each training session, each game, because I know what it’s like to be absent for a long tie and unable to play or help. For me, to now live Liga BBVA and play continuously gives me great satisfaction and I try to enjoy each moment.
LFP.es: You’re an all-action player, something which is not often seen in modern football. Why do you think this is?
Rico: Back in the day it was said other people did the running and the quality player “moved the fruit” and that was enough. Today you have to be out of this world for a manager to let you do that. Here we all have to work hard and I also enjoy defending, although what I like most is have the ball at my feet; but there are no defenders who don’t pull their defensive weight.
"When you hear the song live, sung but everyone, it motivates you a lot"
LFP.es: A Galician in Andalusia; it’s a big contrast isn’t it?
Rico: I’m very happy in Granada. This is my fourth season here and they’ve taken me in well. There’s a lot of players coming and going every year which means maybe you don’t have great friendships, but there are others who are still here since before I arrived.
LFP.es: How does the song sound in the 'Nuevo Los Cármenes'?
Rico: The first few times it gives you goosebumps. Once I signed I vowed to give my all and although I already had heard and knew the song, when you hear it live sung by everyone in these tense times it motivates you a lot. It’s something I’d recommend to any club.
© LALIGA - 2014