Zé Castro: "At Rayo I enjoy my football"

'LFP.es, in depth' was Rayo Vallecano’s training ground to speak to Zé Castro ahead of the important game against RC Celta at Vallecas on Sunday. The defender spoke about the club’s aspirations, how he has matured during his nine years in Spain and the key to stopping Joaquín Larrivey.

LFP.es: It’s your second year at Rayo Vallecano and you’re a reference in defence; how is it?
Zé Castro: Good. For me, it’s not about being a reference because you’ve been there for a while, more for demonstrating it. Despite it being my second year at Rayo, it is a side that changes a lot of players year upon year, something that means it is difficult to plan a defence because the defenders don’t know each other. But those who are here bring their own qualities and they will continue to do so.

LFP.es: It’s no secret that Paco Jémez likes to play football in the right way. Is it difficult to adapt to that kind of side?
Zé Castro: Personally no, because I like to play out from the back. For me it’s an advantage that the side likes to play, but obviously you have to enjoy defending too. I think that offensive football is attractive, although there are other ways to play and, for me, I like the most attractive. The boss has chosen this path and will carry on playing this way.

"In Spain I feel comfortable with the people, with the way football is watched and the competition" 

LFP.es: What’s the best thing about playing for a team like Rayo Vallecano?
Zé Castro: Here I enjoy my football and playing in the games. A lot of the time a Rayo defender has a lot of work to do, and it doesn’t stop with merely positioning yourself well and getting rid of crosses; you have to do a lot. During the game we run a lot, but in the end you enjoy it, you’re involved with the play, you touch the ball, defend, help in attack… you do a bit of everything and this helps you enjoy football and your profession.

LFP.es: How has your play evolved since you arrived at Atlético Madrid in 2006?
Zé Castro: I’ve been in Spain for nine years, which for a player is always good. I feel good here, it is a league I can indentify with, just like the country and I’m happy. I’ve never felt the need to leave because I get on with everyone, I like the football and the competition, which is for me the best league in the world, and that’ something nice.

LFP.es: What has been your best period in Spain?
Zé Castro: I don’t know. I came from a modest side in Portugal and I played quite a bit in my first year at Atleti. It was good, I liked it, but in the second season things didn’t go so well and I went to Deportivo. I was there for five years, I had some great times and some not so great, but I have great memories of everywhere. You forget the bad times.

"When I was a boy I always looked up to attackers"

LFP.es: Alessandro Nesta is someone you looked up to?
Zé Castro: Yes, when I was younger and started to play further back, I looked up to him because I liked him a lot. I haven’t had too many defensive idols, I looked up to attackers, although there are some top quality defenders. When I was a boy I always looked up to attackers.

LFP.es: You take on Celta needing to win. Is it time to show what you’re made of?
Zé Castro: We need to win full stop. We need to win to move up the table, to look at the table in a different light, to be more relaxed and look at things in another way. If we don’t win, we might get nervous. We need to win come what may.

LFP.es: This game will have added spice with the return of Joaquín Larrivey; how can you stop him?
Zé Castro: When he arrived at Rayo, Larrivey looked like a very complete player. He can head well, shoot well, plays well with his back to goal… Maybe he lacks a bit of pace, but he’s a top player, very complete. He is a great striker.

"Larrivey is a top player, very complete" 

LFP.es: Your contract is up in 2015; where do you see yourself at the end of the season?
Zé Castro: I don’t know, to tell the truth. I’m very honest about these things. Right now I’m going from year to year, I have to play well and I feel good. I’m in football because it’s my passion; to play football, for me, has to be your passion.

LFP.es: Where do you think Rayo will be at the end of the season?
Zé Castro: Truthfully, since the start of the season I’ve had a good feeling. We have a good team with good players, although people tend to just look at the big clubs, which is normal. Individually, Rayo has a great side, and we will see how we get on with the results come the end of the season. We can do some good things.