Ale Contreras: “We need to focus more on ourselves than on others”

Ale Contreras, a midfielder for CD Estepona, was a guest on Deportes COPE Marbella last Wednesday, October 7, where he spoke with Diego Partida to discuss the current state of the red-and-white team following their important 3-1 victory over CD Don Benito at the Francisco Muñoz Pérez Stadium. The Málaga-born player spoke about his personal growth, the team’s current form, the importance of the fans, and the goal of competing for the top spots in the standings.
CD Estepona secured its first home victory of the season against Don Benito, after losing to Tenerife B the previous matchday. For Ale, the win was especially needed after a tough match in the Canary Islands:

“We lost there on two penalties, and by the end of the game, we deserved more.”

The midfielder believes the team could have gotten a better result from the match in Tenerife. However, the player highlighted the determination within the locker room to secure their first victory in front of their home fans.

Ale Contreras Highlights the Identity of Manolo Sánchez’s Team

The player assured that the team hasn’t changed its essence since the early rounds and that the arrival of Manolo Sánchez has helped establish a very clear playing philosophy:

“We always go out with the same spirit, the same game plan we’ve had since Manolo arrived, and we’re willing to fight to the end for our team and our way of playing.”

The player also highlighted the impact of Francisco Muñoz Pérez, noting that the fans’ support provides an extra boost to the squad:

“When we play at home and feel the fans’ support, it ultimately gives us an extra edge.”

Ale acknowledges that the team must learn to manage its emotions in the wake of results and prevent a loss from sowing doubt. The midfielder recalled what happened last season, when CD Estepona had to fight until the very end to avoid relegation.
“This year there are higher expectations, but we have to take it one game at a time,” he noted. He also noted that one of the keys to avoiding relegation last season was not constantly checking the standings:

“We have to focus more on ourselves than on the other teams.”

An Increasingly Important Player for Manolo Sánchez

At 20 years old, Ale Contreras is heading into his second season with CD Estepona after spending twelve years in the Málaga CF youth academy. The midfielder acknowledged that his first experience in the Segunda Federación was a major learning experience:

“Last year was my first adventure away from home, and honestly, it was really tough, but it taught me a lot and, as you say, helped me mature.”

The arrival of Manolo Sánchez has also meant more opportunities for the player, who is playing an important role early in the season. In the first five matchdays, Ale has started in four games. Despite this, the player wanted to emphasize the importance of the team:

“With Manolo, we’re all important, and we all get our chance.”

The midfielder also spoke about the players with whom he has the strongest connection on the field, mentioning Héber, Candelas, Julen, Ariel, and Samu, though he especially highlighted the positive atmosphere in the locker room:

“We’re a very close-knit group, and we’re all doing great.”

The CD Estepona locker room, united around Julen Guerrero

Part of the interview was dedicated to Julen Guerrero, general manager of CD Estepona, following the health issue he recently experienced.
Ale explained that the team was concerned about the situation and highlighted Julen’s close relationship with the players. He also noted that Julen’s son is part of the team.
The victory over Don Benito therefore held special significance for the locker room.

“We have to stick to our game plan and make sure nothing changes”
The Málaga-born player also analyzed the start of the season and acknowledged that the team has had games where the results didn’t go their way despite their hard work:

“We’ve had games we should have won, but in the end, for one reason or another, they slipped away from us.”

For Ale, the solution lies in maintaining confidence in Manolo Sánchez’s style of play and not altering the team’s identity based on results.
The next challenge will be Club Atlético Central, in CD Estepona’s second consecutive home game at Muñoz Pérez. Although they may seem like a lesser opponent because they were just promoted, Ale wanted to make it clear that in Segunda Federación, every game is tough:

“No matter what the team is called, they’re going to compete until the very end and make it difficult for you.”

The Fans: A Game-Changer

One of the points Ale Contreras emphasized most during the interview was the importance of CD Estepona’s fans.
The midfielder believes that the atmosphere at Muñoz Pérez can make all the difference, especially during decisive moments in matches:

“You really notice it, especially when we’re at home—it gives us a boost, a real rush.”

The player highlighted how the crowd gets behind the team during plays like corner kicks or key moments and how that energy ultimately carries over onto the field.
He also noted that the support isn’t limited to home games, as the fans also back the team when they play on the road.

Ale Contreras’ Goal: To Make an Impact

When asked about his individual goals for this season, Ale avoided setting a specific target for goals or assists:

“Really, just to make an impact—the rest will follow.”

His intention is to help the team and make the most of the opportunities he gets, trusting that goals, assists, and other statistics will come as a result of his hard work.

Fran Martínez’s Injury and Manu’s Opportunity

During the interview, there was also time to discuss Fran Martínez, one of the low points of the match against Don Benito after he suffered an injury.

Ale explained that the goalkeeper suffered a quadriceps injury and acknowledged that it was a difficult situation for the team. However, the injury paved the way for the debut of Manu, the reserve team’s goalkeeper, who got the chance to make his first-team debut:

“It’s an incredible night for him, and he’ll never forget it.”

A Team Ready to Rotate

The midfielder also explained how the locker room is handling the numerous changes to the starting lineups.
According to Ale, since Manolo Sánchez’s arrival, the importance of all players being ready to see playing time has been emphasized to the squad:

“We were all going to get plenty of playing time, and we were going to rotate. And we all had to be ready when the time came.”

The player believes the team has a clear game plan regardless of who’s in the starting lineup.
Furthermore, he refused to single out any one player as the team’s main offensive threat. For Ale, CD Estepona’s potential lies precisely in the contribution of the entire team.
“If we’re all on the same page, we’ll achieve more,” he said.

A Cohesive and United Locker Room

Ale also highlighted how quickly the new signings have integrated. He believes that the fact there was a core group of players who already knew each other made it much easier for the newcomers to fit in.

Among the players who play an important role in the locker room, he mentioned captain José Antonio Caro, as well as Héber, Titi, and Candelas, though he insisted that fostering unity is everyone’s responsibility:

“We’re really all very close-knit.”

Contreras Calls for Fan Support Ahead of the Match Against Club Atlético Central

Finally, Ale Contreras sent a message to all CD Estepona fans ahead of the upcoming match at the Francisco Muñoz Pérez Stadium.
The Estepona squad will face its second consecutive home game with the goal of building on their victory over Don Benito and continuing to climb the standings.
The midfielder thanked the fans for their support during the first few matches and asked them to once again turn the Muñoz Pérez into a true fortress:

“Everyone who comes should come to cheer us on and stand by us no matter what—we’ll fight just as hard.”

The full interview with Diego Partida on Deportes COPE Marbella can be heard by clicking here.

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