Interviews
VIE 23.12.2016
Five months have passed since the 31-year-old signed for Granada CF, meaning he has had more than enough time to become a mainstay in the team and give his take on life at the club. Guillermo Memo Ochoa (Guadalajara, Mexico, 1985) was the first Mexican goalkeeper to play in Europe and is very grateful, even today, to be plying his trade in LaLiga Santander.
Question: You're the only Granada player not to have missed a minute of action and the coach said you're irreplaceable. How does it feel to be one of the mainstays in the team?Answer: I'm enjoying a good run in the team. Playing and enjoying your football on the pitch are the most important things for a footballer and I've managed just that. Now I want to work hard every day to perform at my best in every game and help the team improve.
Q: Are you in the form of your life?
A: Knowing that the coach has faith in me has helped me display the calmness that a goalkeeper needs on the pitch. It has also influenced my game, of course. I feel that I'm in good form and am an important piece of the Granada puzzle.
Q: How have you changed at Granada, compared with what you were like at Malaga CF?
A: On a personal level, I've gained more experience and know the competition better. I'm more familiar with the players I come up against and feel better prepared. In sporting terms, of course playing week in week out gives you rhythm and stability and I'm more comfortable on the pitch.
Q: Why did you want to come to LaLiga?
A: It was my dream and the target that I set myself when I started out as a footballer. LaLiga is the best league in the world. It's the most closely followed competition in Mexico because it boasts the best teams and players, which is why every player from my country wants to make it to LaLiga and be successful here.
Q: Do you feel the support you receive from Mexico?
A: I feel that people in my country appreciate me. I was the first Mexican goalkeeper to come over to Europe and now I'm trying to be an example for others. I'd love to see many Mexicans in LaLiga, as I'd enjoy playing with and against them.
Q: The team made an inconsistent start to the league campaign, but things seem to be improving. What are the strengths of this group?
A: We're a team of young players with great attributes and qualities. Many new players from different countries arrived in the summer and they needed time to adapt to LaLiga. Now a few months have gone by and we know one another better as a group which is also showing on the pitch. We've been performing better and we're more compact.
Q: What difference has Lucas Alcaraz made compared with Paco Jemez?
A: Alcaraz's arrival has given us greater balance both physically and mentally. The two coaches are completely different in terms of style, personality and formation. I'm not here to discuss who is better, they each have their own style. The boss is asking us to be more balanced defensively, better organised and committed for one another because that's how you display commitment as a team. If everyone gives their all and performs to their best, we'll do better as a group.
© LALIGA - 2016