La Liga Coaches and Players React to DANA’s Devastation in Valencia

The power of nature is immense, and the recent DANA storm in Valencia is a stark reminder of this. The devastating images left in its wake have sparked a heated debate among La Liga coaches and players, with many questioning the decision to proceed with matchday as scheduled.

La Liga president Javier Tebas cited the difficulty of completely shutting down the industry as the reason for not postponing or canceling the matches. However, this decision has raised concerns about the appropriateness of celebrating on the football field amidst the ongoing tragedy in Valencia.

Getafe coach José Bordalas expressed his strong opposition to holding the match in Vigo on Monday, stating, “It makes no sense to play in the midst of the biggest catastrophe in recent decades.” Elche coach Eder Sarabia echoed this sentiment, saying, “The match should not have taken place. We are in the business of creating hope and distracting people from their realities and problems, but we are also humans.”

Atlético Madrid captain Koke was visibly emotional, saying, “I want to help people.” His coach, Diego Simeone, also voiced his opinion before the match against Alaves, stating, “There’s no point in playing the match.” Barcelona and Espanyol players also supported the suspension of their derby match, with Blanquiazul goalkeeper João Garcia saying, “Everyone could not keep their cool this week, both in and out of football.”

Germany coach Hansi Flick also weighed in, drawing parallels between the situation in Valencia and a similar event in Germany a few years ago. “I support them, but the decision to cancel the match day lies with La Liga,” he said.

The outpouring of support from players and coaches is a testament to the far-reaching impact of DANA’s destruction. As the people of Valencia struggle to come to terms with the devastation, the football community is standing in solidarity with them.

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