Interviews
LUN 06.10.2014
The UD Las Palmas fans have found a new hero, and this one is Argentinian, a nationality that is very well known on the island. Sergio Ezequiel Araujo (Neuquén, Argentina, 1992) has won the hearts of the Estadio de Gran Canaria faithful. His name resounds around the stadium every time the Argentinian number 10 finds the back of the net, something he has done quite a lot so far this season. The player, on loan from CA Boca Juniors in Argentina, spoke exclusively to LFP.es to discuss his first few months on the island, his goal-scoring start and what he expects from his time at the club.
LFP.es: Did you expect to start like this?
Sergio Araujo: No, even I am surprised, but there you go…
LFP.es: Why did you choose Las Palmas?
Sergio Araujo: I received a lot of affection from the start and that made me want to stay here. Together with my family I decided that this was the best choice and I came here as soon as possible.
"I simply try to do my best, as I have so far, and I will try to do as well as other Argentinians who have played here"
LFP.es: How have you benefitted from the experience at FC Barcelona B in terms of your new challenge at UD Las Palmas?
Sergio Araujo: I think that it was a great experience, despite all the mistakes I made when I returned to play in Argentina. I think that forced me to mature a little and change. Here, thanks to my teammates, who help me improve, little by little, it has made everything easier than when I was at Barcelona.
LFP.es: This team has a debt to settle from last season. Is the responsibility of promotion an added pressure?
Sergio Araujo: No, not pressure. I know we have the responsibility of taking this team up to the Liga BBVA, and you can see that in every match we play at home. Even though we are in the Liga Adelante, the fans behave very well, like those of a Liga BBVA team. We have to work week by week to achieve our goal in June. We have to take it step by step, because if we take big strides we can forget what happened in the derby.
LFP.es: What did happen in the derby?
Sergio Araujo: I think they played us at our own game and we played average. We didn’t know what we wanted, we were hesitant all over the park, we didn't know how to attack or how to get comfortable on the pitch. As it was in a derby it stands out a little more.
LFP.es: Do you think too much was expected of the team in the derby?
Sergio Araujo: I think so, and even more because we hadn’t lost any games. I think it is better to get these things over with at the start of the season; you have to be more humble and work hard in every game.
LFP.es: What is Paco Herrera's role in this team that has started the season so finely tuned?
Sergio Araujo: He has a lot of responsibility. He motivates and focuses all of us… making sure we are at 100%, that people who do not play much are also driven and that we are keen to go out in every match and win.
LFP.es: What is it like working with him?
Sergio Araujo: I get a lot out of working with him. I take great things from working with both him and Javi Guerrero. I am really happy with the coaching staff. This great opportunity and great moment I am enjoying is thanks to them.
"We have to be more humble and work harder in every match"
LFP.es: The derby is water under the bridge, now it is time to play teams like Betis. How do you see the team as these challenges approach?
Sergio Araujo: Like I said before, we have to take it step by step, because if we don’t do that we will make mistakes.
LFP.es: Las Palmas has had a great connection with Argentinian football throughout its history. Quique Wolf, Daniel Carnevalli and Carlos Morete, the second highest goal-scorer in the club’s history, have played in the shirt. What are Sergio Araujo's challenges at the club?
Sergio Araujo: No challenges. I simply try to do my best, as I have so far, and I will try to do as well as other Argentinians who have played here.
LFP.es: What it is like to train and play with Juan Carlos Valerón?
Sergio Araujo: It is incredible for me, despite the fact that we haven’t played together a lot in recent matches. It would be great for me to have 'El Flaco' there with me, because he teaches me loads of things, about movement and also he finds you every time you are in space… Hopefully I can play with him again in one of the upcoming matches.
LFP.es: There is still a long way to go, but which teams do you think will be in the battle for promotion?
Sergio Araujo: Nowadays all the teams are tough. You can beat a big team or lose to another one. Everything is very close and whoever wants it most will finish top.
© LALIGA - 2014