Rubi: 'The team is great shape and eager to enjoy the game'

UD Almería head coach Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia 'Rubi' has no hesitation in labelling Sunday’s clash against Racing Santander as the 'game of the year', arguing: 'We’re the first and second-placed teams who are also the top scorers in the league', although he quickly added that 'maybe in 3 weeks we’ll have another game of the year'.

The Catalan is expecting 'a high-tempo, intense and attractive match in which the talent of both teams will be on show, although we’ll try to counter the opponent’s strengths'. With that in mind, he underlined that it is 'a game for the players'.

Rubi made it clear his side is ready: 'We’re in great shape and eager to compete and enjoy the game. We’re going all out to win, but the opponents play too.' He believes his team is in good form, although he warned: 'In this league anyone can beat you, especially Racing, who are top of the table and will have the backing of their fans'.

The Vilassar de Mar native does not think Racing Santander’s 6-2 defeat to FC Andorra will have any negative impact: 'They’ll have turned the page and know that if they beat us it will more than make up for that painful loss.'

Rubi also admitted the challenge of analysing the opposition: 'It’s been very difficult to analyse them. They do many things well and in some aspects of the game they're better prepared than us.'

For the UD Almería gaffer, 'there’s a lot at stake', but whatever happens, nothing will be decided. 'If we don’t win, we’ll still be one game away from the promotion places or even in them. 4 games ago Racing Santander were 7 points behind and everyone was saying there was only one automatic promotion spot left. The situation has changed a lot.'