Interview with Natxo Insa

Natxo Insa (@NatxoInsa ) , born in Cocentaina, Alicante, is one of those spanish footballers who have decided to try their luck outside La Liga. Currently he is playing in Medical Park Antalyaspor (Turkey Süperlig team) for which he has signed a 2 year contract after the spectacular goal he scored against Espanyol, avoiding R.C. Celta de Vigo relegation to the Second Division. Natxo has been very kindly responded to us, and we are really pleased to speak with him.

Question: You received a few offers from Spain and abroad when your contract with Celta de Vigo expired. How did you get the offer and why did you decide to  play with Antalyaspor?

Response: Everything went so fast and they did a strong bet for me, showing so much interest. I collected some information about the club and its city and everything I could get was nothing but good references. So I made-up my mind.

Q: You come from one of the best leagues in the world to one which, despite of growing up each year, is one step back to La Liga. What differences have made an impact on you and which have more nicely surprised you?

R: I was slightly surprised with the League organisation and the large number of sponsors and promoters. Besides there are several teams that have a healthy economy, allowing them to sign up good players and this makes the Turkey Süperlig be quite competitive.

Q: Last Season, Antalyaspor achieved the 7th position but with a chaotic end-to-end play (Goals For: 50 and Goals Against:52). The team tendency has reversed with Samet Aybaba, is defending much better,  has only conceded 5 goals against in 6 matches, but has scored only 5 goals as well. How is Aybaba coaching? What kind of play is he asking for?

R: He has a lot of experience coaching in Turkish football, so not only he is calm but also he is demanding. Aybaba gives the opportunity to the players to make our own choices when playing, on condition that we respect the team tactics. Our goal is to keep the ball in order to be able to kick it into the net and keep the match under control.

Q: There was only one important lost since last year, Aissati, and they signed up Baros, Anton Ferdinand, Serkan Balci, Vederson and yourself.  What is the team goal after getting the 7th position last season?

R: It would be great to achieve the same position this year. We are working on it and we will even try to beat it. We are a good team looking forward to make a great season and gain points.

Q: The Süperlig count with 2 big teams: Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe. Being Beşiktaş the third option. Is there a huge difference between them and the other teams as occurs in Spain or is the Süperlig a hard fought league?
R: Those teams are the powerful ones and, despite I have been playing in the Turkish League for not so long, I can say that there isn’t as much difference as in the Spanish League. Anyway, Galatasaray, Fenerbache and Beşiktaş are the favourites to win the League title.

Q: Finally, Lady Luck shined on Antalyaspor and won the first match this season. None more than against Beşiktaş. It will be a real turning point for the team?

R: It must be. We made a perfect game against the leader. If the team is able to keep that high level of concentration it will be the basis to improve our game. Getting victories always reinforce the tough work and generates optimism.

Q: In the same match against Beşiktaş you injured. It seems related to muscular issues. How was it? How long will you be sidelined for?

R: After the medical tests, the doctors said that it isn’t big deal. We’ll see if I can play next week.

Q: The supporters are one of the strongest points in Turkish football with their songs and encouraging the teams. You have played in stadiums like the Türk Telekom Arena. Tell us about the Turkish fans and their football passion.

R: The fans are so noisy and I am delighted with the environment that they create. They live the football so intense and it is sometimes impossible to listen to your teammate who is next to you.

Q: In the Turkish League we observe unusual numbers ( 48, 52, 77..) You chose the 90. Why did you select it?

R: It is a special number for me. I like the number 9. Besides, Celta de Vigo was created 90 years ago so it is a reference to its anniversary and be grateful to Celta fans returning all the affection that they showed to me.

Q: Do you follow La Liga and your ex-teams from Turkey?

R: I follow all of them. Eibar, which is playing in the Second Division, and Celta, Villarreal and Valencia in La Liga. I try to watch its matches and support them. I have really good friends in each team and I wish them nothing but the best. 

Q: Would you like to  play in Spain again?

R: Spain is my country and it has one of the most important leagues in the world so I do not exclude anything, however, nowadays I am hundred per cent focused on doing a really great season with Antalyaspor in the Turkey Süperlig.

Q: Apart from the football. How is Antalya and the Turkey way of live? How was the welcome?

R: Everything happened so quickly. When I arrived the MatchDay 1 was already played so I went to train directly. Antalya is a great city where live at. Coastal, it has plenty of beautiful beaches and the weather is awesome almost the whole year. Regarding the food, the Turkish use the same foodstuff as the Spanish, however they prefer using a lot of species, yoghurts... It is not a great change. 

Translator: Francisco Javier Patón Incertis