The Real Oviedo B manager looked amused during his post-match interview.
Not impressed.
Amused.
He sat comfortably before the media while highlights from the chaotic 5–3 match replayed behind him.
A journalist asked the obvious question.
"What did you think about Miraflores under Malik Amari?"
The older manager smirked slightly.
"They're enthusiastic."
A few reporters chuckled.
"But professional football is not social media football."
There it was.
Another journalist leaned forward.
"You weren't impressed?"
"We scored five goals."
Fair point.
The manager folded his arms.
"They attack recklessly. Their defensive structure is immature. Emotionally unstable too."
Then came the line that spread everywhere online within an hour.
"Honestly? For large parts of the game they looked pathetic defensively."
The room buzzed immediately.
Another reporter quickly asked:
"But they created problems for your team."
The manager shrugged carelessly.
"Chaos creates chances sometimes."
Then he smiled faintly.
"But serious football is about control."
---
The clip reached the Miraflores dressing room before evening training.
Several players watched it silently on their phones.
One slammed his locker shut angrily.
Another cursed under his breath.
Adrian looked ready to explode.
Raúl simply stared at the screen expressionlessly.
Meanwhile, across the room, Malik watched the interview once.
Then locked his phone calmly.
No visible reaction.
That somehow irritated the players even more.
Finally, one midfielder spoke.
"He called us pathetic."
Malik looked up.
"Yes."
"That doesn't bother you?"
A brief silence.
Then Malik answered quietly:
"No."
The room frowned collectively.
Malik stood slowly.
"What should bother you…"
His eyes moved across the squad carefully.
"…is whether he's right."
Silence.
Cold silence.
Because deep down…
Parts of it were true.
Malik folded his arms.
"We attack well."
Another pause.
"But our defensive transitions are still weak."
No protecting egos. No emotional comforting.
Truth.
Then his expression sharpened slightly.
"So fix it."
And somehow…
That response motivated the players far more than anger ever could.