Caldentey: "Alexia is a leader, but this team is up"

   MADRID, 6 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The international Mariona Caldentey admitted that the absence due to injury of Alexia Putellas in the European Championship in England is a "sensitive loss" because the Ballon d'Or is a "pillar" and a "leader" of Spain, but affirmed that the rest of the players will to show in the championship that "this team gets up" in the face of adversity.

"It is true that it is very sad news for everyone, especially for her because she is the one who has to live these hard months. We are not going to hide how important it is that Alexia is for this team, for Spanish women's football and in our club She is a leader, a pillar and she is a sensitive casualty," he said at a press conference with Captain Patri Guijarro at Bisham Abbey (United Kingdom).

In this sense, Mariona Caldentey explained that "unfortunately" they are things of football. "We have a match in two days. We have to become strong. The other players have to take a step forward, take responsibility and push this forward. We are ready for this tournament. We send Alexia all the strength in the world and we will try to win for her, she will be one of our captains from the outside. We want to show that this team stands up, continues to believe and will go for it all", he stressed.

Caldentey stressed that Spain has "very versatile" players and that they play in lower positions but that "they can score a goal" and welcomed Amaiur Sarriegi, the Real Sociedad striker who returns to the squad to replace Alexia. "We are waiting for Amaiur with open arms. We know what he can give us because he has already been with us. I'm sure he will be a great plus for the team," she said.

Regarding Putellas's decision to remain in the concentration with Spain, at least until the debut against Finland this Friday, Caldentey stated that his Barça teammate can make them "stronger" from the outside. "The team will continue to row for her and for Jenni," she said, referring to the loss of Hermoso.

Regarding her role in Jorge Vilda's group, Mariona said that given Alexia's loss she will have to "take a step forward" in a team in which there is, according to her, a "mixture of youth and experience" that can go "very well". "Start in one place or another, my role does not change and it is to try to associate myself with all the players that are around me. Jorge has me where I am needed", she pointed out.

Captain Patri Guijarro also confessed the severe setback caused by Putellas's serious injury. "We are not going to deny that yesterday was a very hard day. It is a stick because Alexia is essential on and off the pitch. We are going to be very close to encourage her, but she was the first to push us. Today she was here and it will also do so in the first match. That will make us want to compete more", he pointed out.

He recounted how they found out about the Ballon d'Or injury. "It was a tough moment because she felt something strong. We were waiting in the afternoon and we were close to her. It's one of the worst injuries in football, but Alexia is going to come back strong being Alexia", he sentenced.

For Pebble, now is the time for commitment. "We are going to take all our desire. Our responsibility is to try to replace all the good that Alexia does with a plus more of each one and, in my role as captain, even more. Yesterday was that day to accept it, but today there are two days left for Finland and we still have three times the desire to start the European Championship", he assured.

Regarding the European's first rival, he indicated that Finland is a physical team, with "very powerful" players, "they defend very well" and "take advantage of counterattacks very well." "The key is to have the ball, not stop making chances and play a lot on your field," he explained.