Alberto Lasarte: 'We're at half-time in the game with the second half ahead'

UD Almería 'B' head coach Alberto Lasarte, has looked ahead to the play-offs first-round second leg that the his side will face against Atlético Malagueño for promotion to Segunda RFEF. He has valued this encounter and has made it clear: 'My team are with their swords high, we don't want to relax, it's a very good team capable of scoring goal and dominate ... we have to give the one hundred percent because it isn't going to be easy at all.' 

Furthermore, Mr Lasarte stated: 'If we face the game with a 3-1 advantage it'll go badly for us, if we face it as if we were 0-0 it'll go well for us.' The youthful Rojiblancos will surely face a very tough match where the Málaga fans will play a fundamental role, however, this does not worry the 'B' team gaffer at all: 'The team has responded well when they've played. The fans have pushed hard, so the atmosphere factor doesn't worry me.' In terms of strategy he added: 'They have more possession, but they don't reach the attacking zone as much, we have to know how to defend that very marked situation they have.'

Another fundamental aspect for this clash against promotion-chasing Atlético Malagueño will be the substitute players, those who are eager to jump onto the pitch to help their team. What's the reason? Lasarte explains: 'The bench was fundamental in the previous match, everyone came out with a positive attitude, even Álex, who came on for two minutes, was important in the third goal play. We have that factor in our favour and it can be an important weapon, even when the season is ending and in games as long as those of a play-off.' 

Regarding the absences for the match, the gaffer has highlighted: 'It's going to be difficult for Luis Lara to be match ready, the rest of the squad members are fit though,' he stated. 

What is the main objective that UD Almería 'B' have to achieve in order to advance to the next round? 'We must play a normal game and score a goal, if we achieve it they'll have a more difficult time, we cannot start the game and speculate because it's a team that feels very comfortable dominating. We cannot make that mistake and above all, remain focused. We are at half-time in the game with the second half ahead,' concluded Alberto Lasarte.