Sergio Herrera (5-6-1993, Miranda de Ebro) occupies the goal for Osasuna, one of the two teams that has managed to defeat Barça. After the national team break, the Navarrese host Villarreal.
What feelings do you have about the start of the season?
Very good, we are in a good position, with a number of points that we would have already signed at the beginning of the season. There was a bit of uncertainty with the change of coach, but I think that both Vicente and the team have connected extremely well and hence the successes. The peace of mind that the distance with the descent gives us must help us to continue working as we are doing.
How do you maintain that pace?
The important thing is not to start well but to finish well and we are all very clear about that. The beginnings that are good, in the end you always have more margin and you have that hope, but I think we are clear about what our first objective is and to achieve it as soon as possible to be able to continue.
Is it a realistic goal to reach a European competition?
The real objective is permanence. Look how the lower part is, there is no one off the hook, which was one of the things that in other years you could see. This year everything is very even.
How much difference is there between First and Second Division?
A lot. The Primera is very complicated, there are great teams, with a lot of history and that are reinforced every year with more and more great signings.
What is the key to achieving permanence?
Have a very good work environment and that there are no confrontations within the team, that they always go together and in the same direction. Once you achieve that, have a clear idea of the game and in recent years we have had coaches with whom that has happened and they have guided us very well. There are people who have been on the team for many years and we try to get new people into the group, we don’t leave them alone, we try to get them to adapt as quickly as possible and in the end the people are always very comfortable, even those on loan when they leave. They go, they leave with great sadness. They would like to continue in Osasuna, but well, in the end I think it is one of the things that happen when there are very healthy, very normal and very united people.
Do you feel in the best moment of your career?
I am in a happy moment and enjoying myself. Things work out, maybe I have had the same moments, I haven’t had more complicated moments.
How was the victory against Barça evaluated?
At a sporting level it was three more points, but at a social level and at the impact level it was a very different thing. Internally it gives a lot of confidence and makes people happy when they have a special and beautiful day.
What was the situation like after the Real Madrid game?
It is a match that is marked on the calendar as a possible defeat, we know how difficult it is to play the Bernabéu. Madrid is a very difficult team and on top of that they had a bad dynamic. They were more alert than ever because in the end losing another game at home was something quite negative for them.
How was an injury as serious as Militao’s experienced on the field?
It is a play in which a fairly loud “crack” was heard. At first I thought it was a blow and then when I saw him on the ground I recognized that it was something serious. It feels very sad because I also suffered that injury and it is extremely difficult.
Who is the most difficult opponent you have had to tackle?
There are many complicated games, but it is clear that in the League the three biggest teams are Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético. In recent years they are the three strongest teams. They all have great players, like Mbappé, and you always want to play against them.
