Juan Manuel Parapar Calleja (Labañou, 14/05/1991) is one of the most experienced players in the Compostela squad. At 34 years old, the attacker from Labañou stands as a key figure in the white-and-blue dressing room ahead of another playoff push for promotion to Segunda Federación. After an inconsistent second half of the season saw the Santiago-based side lose its lead at the top, the team now faces its only remaining path to promotion, starting with a semifinal clash against Racing Villalbés. In this context, Parapar analyzes the team’s situation, the keys to the match, and the importance of emotional management in a scenario where every detail can be decisive.
How did your return to Santiago come about?
It’s always nice to be home. I wanted to play for Compos and fight for such a beautiful goal as bringing the club back to Segunda Federación.
You’ve scored seven goals and played over 2,100 minutes so far. How do you assess your season?
Honestly, last year I suffered an injury and it was quite tough to recover fully. Now I’m more or less fine, I was able to play matches and help the team with those seven goals, but we didn’t achieve the objective. The fault was largely ours because we failed to close out many games.
The team once had a significant lead but lost it all in the second half. What explanation do you give from inside?
I’m not sure there’s an explanation. In the end, we wanted to achieve the goal. Football is complicated, and sometimes things don’t work out because you lack that bit of luck. Arosa also had a very good second half, and I think it was a combination of factors that ultimately prevented us from succeeding. But all this helps us learn, and now we have another path: the playoff. We can’t change what happened in the league; we have to face what’s left with a different mindset and try to earn promotion through this route.
After losing direct promotion on the last matchday, how is the team approaching the playoff?
This is what we have left. We have to fight for it. The fans are with us, the players want promotion, and above all, Compostela wants promotion. That’s the important thing. We must give everything we have to achieve promotion, starting with Villalbés and taking it step by step.
Promotion via playoff – an opportunity or an obligation?
It’s true that Compostela has an obligation, but personally, I see it as an opportunity. We didn’t achieve it in the regular season, and now we have the chance to go up through another route. I think we need to look at ourselves, accept that we didn’t succeed, and fight to achieve it by the path we have left.
This Saturday you face the first leg of the semifinals against Racing Villalbés, a team you failed to beat during the season. What kind of tie do you expect?
Playoff matches are usually tight. We have to be intelligent and try to get through the tie. Not just think about one match, but both, listen to the coach, believe in what he tells us, and try to advance.
Are you worried about facing a more defensive opponent and matches that require a lot of patience?
Honestly, I don’t think about that. If we play a serious match, stay concentrated, and are intelligent, I believe we can win the tie. They’ll make it difficult for us, like any team, but I don’t think that if they sit back, we won’t be able to score or win the match.
How important is emotional management in these types of games?
That’s what I’ve been saying. We have to be mentally prepared, focused, and smart. I think we have everything to win the tie. We need to trust our players, the coaching staff, and the fans.
What role do the more experienced players play in such a crucial week?
We veterans try to convey to the younger players that playing a playoff is a wonderful experience. It’s another way to get promoted, just like finishing first. You have to be smart. The motivation comes naturally because these matches have a great atmosphere. We need to stay calm and avoid thinking too far ahead: first comes Villalbés.
If you advance, the playoff final would be against the winner of the Catalan group, with the second leg away. Do you think the draw made the path more difficult?
Well, in the end, these playoffs are long. If you reach the final, it will be a very tight and complicated match. All matches will be tough, and a potential final with the second leg away makes it even harder.
How important can San Lázaro be in the playoff?
The fans have already shown they’re with us, supporting us to the fullest. We have to repay that trust and go all out.
A message for the Compostela faithful.
To the fans, I want to say that they’ve shown during the league that they’re with us. Keep it up, trust us. We also trust them, and we’re going to give everything.
