Paco Jemez has backed Alberto Bueno to earn Spain recognition after his four-goal haul during Rayo Vallecano-Levante in La Liga on Saturday.
The former Real Madrid striker needed just 16 first-half minutes to set his side up for a 4-2 victory over the Valencians in front of national-team Coach Vicente del Bosque, who was a spectator at Vallecas.
“I was pleased with the victory. Our objective is to look up, not down, the table and strive to finish eighth, ninth or seventh,” Jemez said after the game.
“The more points you have, in regards to the relegation zone, the better. I say this for two reasons.
“One, because we’re closer to safety and two, because it's time to stop looking back. In football anything can happen.
“What I want is that this team fight to be eighth, ninth or, if we can achieve it, seventh, although it’ll be difficult.
“If we can maintain a balanced run of form, winning as many games as possible, we can [meet our objectives]. We’ve now won two straight games at home.
“We played very well and each time we arrived in [Levante’s] box, we scored.
“The team made a huge effort, especially in the second half, but the star was Alberto [Bueno]. Scoring four goals in La Liga is difficult, even more so in a team like ours.
“For me it would be a tremendous honour if a Rayo player wore the Spain jersey and one day became the national team’s top scorer.
“Vicente [del Bosque] will have taken this into account but it won’t be easy. Alberto has to keep working hard and sooner or later he’ll reach a state of joy [in the national team].
“Regardless of the outcome or 4-2 result, it seemed easy [to spectators]. We must draw conclusions that the team have potential and, when focused, play very well.
“The manner of our win underlines our improvement in intensity levels.”
