In this exclusive interview with the Cordoba native, Flashscore had time to discuss Alaves' clash with Barcelona, Blanco's fondness for Zinedine Zidane, his dream of playing in a World Cup with Spain, and what he enjoys away from the pitch.
Antonio, you have a very important match this weekend against Barcelona. How do you see the team going into this game?
"Well, honestly, we’re looking forward to it, eager for the match to come, and also to pick up points. We know it’s going to be a tough game because Barca at home have some great players and will make it very difficult for us. But I think we need to focus on ourselves, play our game, and try to bring something back from Barcelona."
It seems like Alaves are in a slightly better place than where you finished last season... How is the team feeling at the start of this campaign?
"Yes, as you say, this year has started really well. I think our objective is clear, but we’ve started with a great dynamic. We have to keep it up and try to get as many points as possible.
"It’s true that last year, when you’re down at the bottom, everything seems harder, things just don’t go your way... But this year we’ve started off really well, with a great vibe, and the team is really switched on. Hopefully it stays that way until the end of the season."
The team is doing well, and you’re putting up some great numbers. How are you feeling personally?
"Very good, I’m feeling really comfortable. As you said, my stats are also very good, which is important individually, but above all, it’s about helping the team, which is what matters most.
"I think I’m having a really good year personally, I’ve taken a step forward, I’m more mature, and I think that’s positive. And again, it’s all about helping the team, which is always the most important thing."
Last year, things got complicated, and it’s much harder to deal with the day-to-day when you’re in a tough spot. What’s changed this year for things to be going better?
"Honestly, when you’re down there, it’s always tough for things to go your way. You always try to give your all to get out of that situation, and as the games go by, it gets harder.
"But this year, starting from scratch, with a really good preseason, with the systems that Chacho (manager Eduardo Coudet) has brought in and the players to fit what he wants, everything is flowing really well. I think that’s important. We’ve also had more time to work on all the aspects the coach wants to instil in us. And it’s always good to start off on the right foot."
Grateful to Zinedine Zidane
I want to go back to that pre-season you mentioned, where one of the surprises for many was seeing Mariano Diaz training with the team after a long time without playing. You got to know him at Real Madrid. What was it like to meet again?
"Yes, I overlapped with him when I was with the first team, and it’s always positive. Any player who comes in to contribute, to help the team, to bring his qualities - he has great potential - is always welcome. I was happy to have him here and that he can help us this season."
During your time together at Madrid, you made your debut for the first team... It was Zidane who gave you that chance. How do you remember the Frenchman as a coach?
"I remember him as a close coach, someone who managed the group really well. I have a special fondness for him, not just for giving me my debut, which is never easy in the first team, but also for giving me continuity over several matches, especially at the end of the league when they were fighting for the title, and he trusted young players.
"So I have a lot of affection for him. I also played with his son, Theo, at Castilla, who I’m also very fond of. I think they’re a very humble family with great values, and I really identify with them."
Zidane pretty much won everything during his time at Madrid, and now it seems the French national team is calling. Do you think he’s ready for that challenge?
"Yes, definitely. He’s already won it all. As a coach, he has plenty of titles, and I think the next step for him is the French national team, which, as we’re seeing and hearing, he’ll probably take.
"I’m sure he’ll achieve great things there, too. Although, hopefully, Spain will keep their successes! We know he’s a great coach and can deliver results, no doubt."
On leaving Real Madrid
Back to you, what’s it like to leave such a big club and step into the real world, from Madrid to what football is for most players?
"I always say, we know that there you live in a bubble because you have everything and want for nothing, but the truth is, there’s more football and more life outside. I think it depends on each person and how you handle it.
"For me, it was easy because I knew where I came from and what things are like outside, and I knew football outside Madrid is different, but you have to adapt and realise there’s life beyond Madrid, and you can achieve your dreams, like I am, playing in the top division and being with Alaves in LaLiga."
You’ve certainly adapted well, even becoming captain of Alaves... How does it feel to be the leader of the team?
"Honestly, it’s an honour to represent a team, a club, a fanbase - it’s very important. I’m the player who has to set an example on and off the pitch, and it’s a responsibility, but I carry it with pride and the humility it deserves."
What’s your life like in Vitoria?
"It’s very peaceful, really - training, home, and back again. It’s a very quiet city, you can enjoy time with family outside of football, but the weeks go by quickly with all the matches. I feel very comfortable in this city, at a club that, as I always say, cares a lot about me, and I care a lot about them too. Hopefully, I can stay here for many more years."
What do you like to do when you’re not playing football?
"I’m very family-oriented. I love going for walks with the dogs, with my partner. Just normal, everyday things. Walking around the city centre too. It depends on the weather, because it’s pretty cold and rainy here. It’s a very calm city, and we’re very calm people too."
Chasing World Cup dream
Going back to the Barcelona match, it seems they've struggled defensively in recent games, especially after that heavy defeat to Chelsea. Are you preparing for the match with that in mind? Do you know where you can hurt them?
"Yes, we know how they defend. Obviously, we’ll work on that in training, and we have to look for their weak spots to try to exploit them. We saw that Chelsea are a great team in Europe, with top players both individually and collectively. But we know that Barca, regardless of yesterday’s result, will want to score as many goals as possible against us.
"But as I said, I think we’re defending very well, we’re one of the teams that’s conceded the fewest goals in the league, which is important, and we have to look for those weaknesses in Barcelona to try to take advantage."
Barcelona have Lamine Yamal, one of the leaders of the Spanish national team. And with your current form, you could be called up for Spain when the World Cup comes around...
"Well, I think you’d have to ask Luis (de la Fuente). We know Spain has some top-class midfielders, like (Martin) Zubimendi, Rodri... There are some really good players.
"What I have to do is focus on my own work, day by day, and perform at my best for the club. If the opportunity comes, hopefully one day it will, then great. But as I always say, to get there you have to do things really well at your club, which is the most important thing, and hopefully one day it happens."
What would it mean for you to play in the World Cup, and to do it as an Alaves player?
"It would be a dream, honestly. I think every footballer in the world wants to play in a World Cup. It’s a tournament we all dream about, but as I said before, we have to work hard every day here so that maybe one day it can happen."
As for Alaves, to wrap up, what are your goals now for the season?
"Our first goal, as I always say, is to stay up. We have to be realistic and stay in the top division; that’s the most important thing. From there, we’ll see how the season goes, how the league develops. If we find ourselves higher up the table, you always want to aim higher, and hopefully we can finish as high as possible, because that would mean we’ve had a great year and, who knows, maybe even more."
What message do you have for the Alaves fans?
"I always say it: for us, they’re our 12th man, always there, always supporting us. No matter how things are going, they always back us, cheer us on, give everything in every match, and for us as players, that gives us life. So thank you, because in the end, they really are our 12th man."
