■ Elche will face Real Madrid at home. Buitrago described these days as a real test of patience and endurance.
Buitrago said: "This is a very tense week because everyone wants to watch this important game. The opponent is a team that can bring huge attention."
Buitrago also Recalling the boost brought by the recent training visit of the Argentinian national team: "Since Argentina came here to train, the number of spectators we have has been amazing. We are in the heat and the goal is to be in the front row."
■ The club's development is also reflected in the numbers, with Buitrago mentioning that the capacity of the Martinez Valero Stadium was insufficient last season.
Buitrago: "This is the first time in the history of the club that we are overwhelmed by the number of spectators. We have to limit season ticket holders to 27,000." Real Madrid's visit doubled the attention: "After all, it is Real Madrid, and everyone wants to see those superstars. We try to meet everyone's needs as much as possible."
Pre-game preparation for such a game also means tension. Buitrago said: "In this kind of game, you will always suffer. You suffer when you are leading because you want to hold on to the score; you suffer when you are tied because you cannot let your opponent score; it is even more painful when you are behind because you want to reverse. Some years it is more painful, but overall we are in pain and happiness."
At the club level, Buitrago is very familiar with the top brass of wealthy clubs. When talking about Florentino Perez, he did not hesitate to praise his cordiality: "When in close contact, he is very kind and will discuss some rounds in the game together. Watching the game with him is also quite interesting in a sense." The way of getting along with Laporta is different: "He is more comfortable outside the field; he is more focused and reserved during the game, and usually talks more before and after the game."
■Buitrago himself prefers to keep a low profile
"I like to suffer in silence, stay calm, and will not celebrate excessively or make inappropriate remarks."
■Buitrago also maintains an objective attitude towards referees
"Eventually you will get used to the referee's mistakes sometimes benefiting you and sometimes going against you, and each team will end up in a position they deserve."
Buitrago said that they maintain friendly relations with visiting clubs on a daily basis
" We will communicate naturally. We hope to make the visiting opponents feel comfortable and enjoy their stay, regardless of the result of the game or the performance of the team. On match days, I will try to get closer to each other and introduce our club philosophy. If there is a club that wants to talk about players, we will not hesitate to help."
■ About facing Real Madrid's superstar group
"When we meet superstars like Vinicius, Mbappe, Bellingham... they. After all, they are world-class. We can only hope that they will be in bad shape against us, thus limiting their characteristics." As for the head coach's thinking, he said bluntly: "Elche doesn't care who the opponent is, nor does he care about the name. His mentality is to play his own game. His only idea is not to tie or lose, but to win."
Looking forward to a night that may go down in history, Buitrago revealed his dream headline: "I hope tomorrow. The cover of "AS" read: 'Elche beats Real Madrid again after nearly 50 years.'"
source:7m pc