Yáñez sets Sporting's ambition high: direct promotion or bust

Rubén Yáñez leaves no room for doubt about Sporting's targets this season. The captain used the squad's visit to Asturias' International Trade Fair to send a clear message about his ambitions: "I believe and want to think we can achieve direct promotion. It's what we all want and we have to aim for it. You have to set your sights high because if you aim lower, you won't go higher," he told the media.

The goalkeeper expressed confidence the team is ready after pre-season work. "Very good work has been done, I think the team has all the tools to start the league with victories," Yáñez said, downplaying recent friendly results. He backs Nicolás Larcamón's new three-man defence system to deliver strong results and stresses that consistency will be key in a "very long" competition.

Ahead of Monday's debut at El Molinón, the captain also praised the fans: "They never fail and that's what Sporting represents. All these people who support us all year round without stopping is what makes this club great." This according to Sport.