"We have 12 finals left and we're going to give everything we have"

Florin Andone (Botoșani, Romania, 1993) is a clear example of how any dream is possible with the right amount of work, hope and effort. When Andone left his home country behind to start a new life in Spain with his family, it was difficult to imagine that nine years later he would be defending the colours of Códoba CF nine years later in the Liga BBVA.

After taking his first steps with Vinarós CF, CD Castellón and the Villarreal CF academy, the Romanian striker has become one of the great hopes of the Blanquiverdes, who dream of achieving survival. LFP.es spoke with him exclusively about the struggle for survival and his first few months in ‘The Best League in the World’.

LFP.es: Córdoba are seven points from safety, but there are still 12 games left. What is the feeling like in the dressing room?
Florin: We are aware that it’s very complicated for us, but we are certainly not lacking in hope. There are lots of games left and lots of points to play for. One victory would give us the strength to face the next games. We have lost seven games in a row and we don’t deserve that, we are just lacking a little bit of luck and a win to lift our spirits.

LFP.es: What message is your coach Miroslav Djukic trying to transmit in these tough times?
Florin: He tells us that we have to keep working because this is not over yet. There are 12 'finals' left and we have to believe in ourselves and continue to look forward week after week. He has a lot of faith in us.

"We are aware that it's very complicated for us, but we are certainly not lacking in hope"

LFP.es: Your next game is against Málaga CF. How can you surprise them?
Florin: It’s going to be a very difficult game. We will have to be very good defensively and take advantage of our counterattacks. We are aware that it will be very difficult, but that we can also cause them damage. Even though it’s not the same, we beat them a few months ago in a friendly. I hope we can get a 1-0 away win, that would be perfect.

LFP.es You came to Spain when you were barely 12 years old. How important a change in a life was that for you?
Florin: I had to come to Spain because there were some problems in my family. I didn’t play football in my first three years here because I was studying but then I started to play football in my village and everything went well. I have been improving as a person and a player little by little, and the truth is that I have taken advantage of all the opportunities I've been given. I’m living a dream this year and I’m very happy to be able to play in the Liga BBVA.

"The day I made my debut was the happiest day of my life, an experience I wouldn't swap for anything in the world."

LFP.es: How did Córdoba seduce you?
Florin: They offered me a great sporting project. I had several options to choose from, but I chose the correct one. I feel very good here, the fans show me a lot of love and you can see that they believe in me. I don’t regret coming here at all.

LFP.es: On matchday 19 against SD Eibar you scored the fourth fastest goal in the history of the Liga BBV. Now that’s something to tell the grandchildren..
Florin: I had a lot of luck. It was a very quick move in which we came out to put pressure on them from the first second and it worked out very well for us. I’m very happy with that goal, but I have to keep looking to the future and try to score more goals.

"I would like to send an optimistic message to the fans. They need to support us until the end, because here no-one gives up"

LFP.es: You have also made it into the Romania squad for the match with the Faroe Islands. Do you feel close to fulfilling another dream?
Florin: Yes, playing for my country would be another dream. I never thought I’d be called up so quickly but I’m very happy and I hope I can make it into the final list because the thought of making my debut for my country makes me very excited.

LFP.es: What will be the key factors to Córdoba staying up?
Florin: We have to get that first victory very quickly. That would give us a lot of confidence and we would look at the other games in a different way. I hope we can win this weekend and that we are able to stay up.