Getafe vs Sporting de Gijon preview - Clemente slams critics
Posted Saturday, April 07, 2012 by PA
Defiant Sporting Gijon manager Javier Clemente has aimed another angry blast at his critics ahead of his side's must-win game at Getafe.
Clemente's team have been out of the bottom three in the Primera Division on just five occasions this season and sit rock bottom of the pile with just eight games remaining.
Criticism of the club's players, and Clemente himself, came to a head following last weekend's 2-1 home defeat to Real Zaragoza, when the former Spain manager reacted angrily to questions about his ability to manage the team in the club's post-match press conference.
Clemente, a man known for is fiery temperament, stood by his reaction today, called the journalist "stupid" and hit out at those in the media who he claims are determined to undermine his position at the club.
"We are all equal. Those comments (from the media) were made with the sole intention of doing damage (to the club)," Clemente was reported as saying on AS.com.
"Few members of the media say these things to my face.
"Their comments weren't criticism, they were humiliating insults and they were made without giving me the possibility of defending myself.
"These days all of Spain has judged me and crucified me. It's Easter. Jesus was crucified unjustly and the same has happened to me."
Clemente's team have only won once in their last 12 games and are seven points adrift of safety.
With a trip to league leaders Real Madrid scheduled for next weekend, the game against Getafe is a must win encounter.
Clemente, who has been in charge at El Molinon for less than two months, will have to do without midfielder duo Sebastian Eguren, and Formose Mendy who are out with bicep injuries, but defender Alberto Botma returns after suspension.
Getafe's hopes of landing a Europa League spot took a dent last weekend when they were beaten 3-0 away at Atletico Madrid.
Los Azulones' main target at the start of the season was survival, but they have defied expectations this season and are only four points off sixth place.
Despite their lofty position, forward Diego Castro is focused on avoiding relegation, rather than qualifying for the Europa League.
"We have it in our head that we want to achieve 42 points as soon as possible," he said.
"For Sporting every game they play is like a cup final, particularly after they lost to Zaragoza.
"It's going to be a very hard match and we too are going to approach it like a final."
Getafe manager Luis Garcia has his eyes on a top-six finish, however.
"It would be a shame to lose the opportunity to keep on dreaming, and to keep this goal we have to beat Sporting," he told Getafe's website.
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