"Promotion to the Liga BBVA would be a dream come true, but our goal is safety"

A Tenerife native, Acorán Barrera is in the midst of his best spell as a footballer at 31 years of age. Now in his fourth season as a SD Ponferradina player, the side’s midfielder spoke to LFP.es about the flying start enjoyed by Manolo Díaz’s men, and the great expectations simmering in El Bierzo.

LFP.es: What would you say is the key to the practically perfect start for Ponferradina?
Acorán: The hard work, the enthusiasm and commitment of the team. We know our game and we go out to compete to the max in every game.

LFP.es: Despite only having played a few matches, I imagine there is a lot of excitement at Ponferradina. How are the players finding that?
Acorán: People are so happy, as are we, but we have to keep our feet on the ground and be aware of the fact that it’s only just started. It’s a long road and it won’t be easy. We have to take it step by step.

LFP.es: There have been some important changes this year. Which is the most noticeable change in the squad?
Acorán: A mixture of how well the newcomers have adapted and everything they have brought to the squad. Every one of them has brought quality, and that shows on the pitch, that we are a unit and we work together.

"We’ve all taken on the ideas of Manolo Díaz and that is one of the reasons for this great start"

LFP.es: New coach, different philosophy?
Acorán: Every coach has their own textbook. We played a different type of football before. Now Manolo Díaz is using a different style of play, trying to build moves from the back. We’re really very happy, the whole team has taken on his ideas and that is one of the reasons for this great start.

LFP.es: One of the standout players in the first few matches is the recently-signed Pablo Infante, who seems to have fit right into the team.
Acorán: As soon as we knew we had signed him we were very happy because he is such a great player, and you always want to play with the best. Pablo’s arrival has stepped up our quality and it is showing, and he always shows it on the pitch.

"Pablo Infante’s arrival has stepped up our quality"

LFP.es: You are very familiar with football on the Canary Islands. How would you define it?
Acorán: Football on the Canary Islands is very technical and attractive. I don’t know why but players from there have always been like that and I’m really not surprised that they have produced some great players.

LFP.es: They have been very successful recently. Jesé and Vitolo are some of the best-known examples. Ayoze Pérez is the latest star from there.
Acorán: He really looks great. He is a great player, he showed it last year with a fantastic season. It’s always nice when people from the islands have success, and that they are given the opportunity to demonstrate how good they are.

"Promotion to the Liga BBVA would be a dream come true, but our goal is safety"

LFP.es: The third consecutive season in the Liga Adelante, they say ‘third time lucky’. Can you start to dream of promotion?
Acorán: It would be a dream come true, but we really have to realise that it is not going to be at all easy and our goal is safety. Once we have that, if we can get something more we’ll certainly give our all.