Press conference
Rubi: 'Forty-one points would mean finishing the first half of the season with flying colours'
The UD Almería head coach is extremely satisfied with UD Almería's numbers, although now he does not give importance to the fact of being league pacesetters. He describes Sunday's fixture against Cádiz CF as 'very challenging because they'll be strong defensively, they're skilled players and their head coach knows our players perfectly.'
'Forty-one points will mean finishing the first half of the season with honours,' stated UD Almería head coach Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia 'Rubi' in the pre-Cádiz press conference ahead of Sunday's match when asked about the fact that in this last match of 2024 the Rojiblancos will fight to remain LaLiga Hypermotion pacesetters. 'Three days ago, when you asked me about the possibility of topping the table, I didn't give it importance and I still say that. I did it because if we lose the first position, because it can happen, don't assume that we've lost a golden opportunity. I like being a leader so that people are happy, so that the footballers have seen their work rewarded, but it doesn't mean anything at this point. There's high competitiveness to be done and I have to prepare the team to keep up those numbers,' said the gaffer.
UD Almería have clearly proved their bouncebackability in the league. When asked about the reasons for this reaction, he stated: 'I'd explain it with many things such as changing the mentality, continuing to make adjustments because the ones we were making weren't working, shaking off injuries… but the most important thing is that day when the footballers really rolled up their sleeves and said we're going to change this because it's of our interest and because we can do it.'
Focusing on Sunday's Andalusian battle against Cádiz CF at the UD Almería Stadium, he indicated: 'It's a very difficult and challenging match for different reasons. The rivals are a team that is going to be very strong defensively, especially now with Gaizka in the driving seat, they have skilled players and with many minutes in their legs competing in the top flight. It's a derby and it always adds an added difficulty and also their new head coach knows our players very well.'
The Catalan then added: 'We must be prepared to face a very tough game and once again I ask the fans to help us as much as possible. I know that the Stadium is going to be full, but let them push because finishing with 41 points for me would mean finishing the first half of the season with flying colours despite everything and for that we need them.'
At the end of the last pre-match press conference of 2024, Rubi made a Christmas toast with the journalists to wish them a Merry Christmas and all the best for the new year 2025.