"We are putting in a colossal amount of work"

Kike García (Cuenca, 25/11/1989) is one of the stars in this season's Liga Adelante. With twelve goals to his name, the Real Murcia CF striker is one of the top goal-scorers in the competition and has started 2014 in style, finding the net twice more in two games. The forward from Cuenca spoke with the LFP.es about his great season and the first half of the championship.

LFP.es: What is your overall feeling about the first round of matches? 
Kike García: Positive, knowing that we were practically without players in the summer. Thanks to our great coach we have been gradually building a good base and the team is right in the fight to achieve our goal, which is to stay up. It is a very tight competition and you have to fight in every match as if it were a final because it is very hard to win.

LFP.es: What grade would you give Murcia for the first 21 matches? 
Kike García: I would say a ten. We are putting in a colossal amount of work.

LFP.es: The goal is to stay up, but the playoff positions are only three points away. Don't you think about promotion in the dressing room? 
Kike García: No, we know how complicated this Liga Adelante is and how tight it is. Yes, we're three points away, but we are also in danger because we are three points above the relegation zone. The only thing we want is to get the required points to stay up as soon as possible.

LFP.es: In the first round of matches you have recorded ten victories, your most common result. What do you think Murcia has lacked to tip some matches in their favour and clinch more victories? 
Kike García: In some games we have not created enough chances for our strikers. We have played some where we could have won, but we missed chances, didn't make the right pass or lacked concentration in a rehearsed move that ended up with us conceding a goal.

Thanks to our great coach we have been gradually building a good base and the team is right in the fight to achieve our goal, which is to stay up.

LFP.es: Which match has been most special for you so far? 
Kike García: The on against Mallorca. It was the first time we had played them in their stadium but we showed what a great team we were and managed to win 2-4. It was incredible. Also in the Riazor against Deportivo, where we also won.

LFP.es: And which of your goals was your favourite? 
Kike García: All of them. It is very difficult to score and I treasure them all.

LFP.es: Speaking of your goals, you are one of the Liga Adelante's top goal-scorers having found the net twelve times in the first half of the championship and you have already equalled your best campaign. Are you in the midst of the best season of your career? 
Kike García: In terms of goals, yes. Thanks to my teammates, I am scoring goals and that is the most important thing for a striker.

LFP.es: A couple of years ago you suffered an unfortunate injury and were sidelined for the whole season. There is no doubt that it made you stronger. 
Kike García: Yes, it is something that I've already forgotten. I learnt that to value your health is the most important thing and also when you compete and spend so much time with your teammates. It makes you strong.

LFP.es: Your coach Julio Velázquez is the youngest player in the Liga Adelante. What is it like to work under his orders? 
Kike García: He is an intense manager. He asks us to give everything in training. He is young, but he makes up for his lack of experience with his desire to win, and he passes that onto us.

LFP.es: What are you goals for the rest of the season, both individually and as a team? 
Kike García: To keep scoring goals and help the team. Collectively, to get the points we need for breathing space and peace of mind as soon as possible.

LFP.es: Finally, dare you predict how many goals you will score? 
Kike García: No way, no way! (Laughs). I am a player who takes it match by match. I hope I can get some more. It would be great for me and for Murcia in general.