LFP.es travels to Alcorcón in the lead-up to the derby against Leganés (and III)

Rubén Sanz (b. Valladolid, 30 April 1980) is a living legend at AD Alcorcón. The midfielder and great captain of the Madrid side, unsurprisingly, brings to a close our series of interviews with the team's stars. Since his arrival in the south of the capital in 2003, Sanz has been a part of the impressive rise of the Alfareros: promotion to the Liga Adelante, two promotion play-offs to the Liga BBVA and their historic qualification for the round of 16 in the 2009/10 Copa del Rey, when they knocked out Real Madrid CF 4-1 on aggregate, are some of his achievements wearing the yellow shirt. LFP.es talked to him in Santo Domingo before the derby with CD Leganés.

LFP.es: How are you approaching your 12th season at the club?

R. Sanz: Each year that goes by feels a little closer to the end, but I go into it with a lot of desire, with a lot of enthusiasm. I hope the team has a good season and we can fight for something nice.

LFP.es: What can we expect from Alcorcón this season?

R. Sanz: We have to be realistic. There's a lot of quality; there are many teams with a lot of potential in their squad and set-up. We have to keep growing, try to have a decent season, and not forget who we are. We're Alcorcón. We have to fight for the 50 points as quickly as possible and if something else nice comes along, all the better.

"The team has to grow from the back and not make it so easy for the opposition. We know the mistakes we're making and with hard work I think we can remedy them"

 

LFP.es: You have played over 400 games for Alcorcón; what does it mean to you to wear the Alfarero shirt?

R. Sanz: It's the shirt that has given me everything at professional level. Before coming here I was already a footballer, but this is where I've grown, where I've developed most as a player and where I've had the opportunity to enjoy professional football. I'm very grateful for all that.

LFP.es: Despite being 34 years old, you remain an irreplaceable player and leader on the playing field. What's the secret to your eternal youth?

R. Sanz: [Laughter]. Looking after myself, training with a lot of desire and enthusiasm and, above all, trying to be competitive in training and enjoying the matches. That's the biggest secret.

LFP.es: As captain, what advice have you given the new signings?

R. Sanz: The few of us left in the dressing room have tried to pass on the philosophy we have always had in the dressing room. In every game we have to give everything, we have to try to be a family on the field, try to compete and never believe we are inferior to anyone. I believe that if we're competitive and behave like a real family, we're going to make life difficult for teams.

LFP.es: Last season you only managed nine wins at home and, to date, home wins have also eluded you in this campaign. What do you believe your team is lacking to make Santo Domingo a fortress again?

R. Sanz: Last year the team lost something of its identity. This year we have to be a bit more consistent; the team has to grow a bit more from the back and not make it so easy for the opposition. The team is training well. We know the mistakes we're making and with hard work I think we can remedy them.

 

"I ask the fans to believe in us and support us through the bad times. We're going to give everything for this shirt and these colours"

 

LFP.es: How do you see the derby against Leganés?

R. Sanz: It has to be a big party. We have more or less the same hopes and the same objective, which is to ensure survival. I hope it will be a good game and we win.

LFP.es: You always play with your socks down and crossing yourself before you go onto the field; do you consider yourself a superstitious player? 

R. Sanz: It's not superstition. I've been doing it for many years and I feel more comfortable. Crossing myself helps me remember everything. I have a lot of habits.

LFP.es: Speaking of habits, tell us about some of the secrets of this dressing room.

R. Sanz: There are a lot of new people! [Laughter]. We're still getting to know each other in terms of music and jokes. I think we have to get to know each other gradually and become a family, which is what this dressing room has always been. That's the biggest secret to achieving the good results we have achieved until now.

LFP.es: Would you like to send a message to the fans?

R. Sanz: I would ask them to believe in us. To support us through bad times, because we're going to give it everything for this shirt and these colours. To feel proud of us because we need them. We know they'll always be with us and we're just grateful for that.