Rubi: 'The result of the match will be a source of strong emotions'

UD Almería head coach Rubi visited the Stadium press room to look ahead to Saturday's crucial match against Granada CF at the Nuevo Los Cármenes stadium. 'They're two of the teams that have scored the most goals in the division. We both have brilliant attacking players and we have to maintain a minimum of control because otherwise we'll be allowing the opponents' talent to be shown. We're highly considering the percentage of chances conceded and we're feeling much better than we did in the first phase of the league. The problem is that our rivals are being quite effective against us. If we manage to hold our ground, we'll reduce our opponents' opportunities.'

 

The Rojiblancos' gaffer spoke about the Granadinistas and predicts it will be a very emotional match: 'Granada CF are going through a process like ours, where they're struggling to get good results away from home, but they're very strong at home where they haven't lost since October. The need for points is the same for both Andalusian sides; a draw doesn't fix anything for either of us. It's going to be a tense, very intense match because these are two teams that were in the first division last year and are now out of the top six. It's also quite emotional on the pitch, but the result will be even more emotional.' 

 

The Catalan insisted that they are immersed in a crucial stretch of the competition: 'We're clear that there are 9 matches left and it's time to give it our all in each one of them. The team are mentally and very focused. It's a match in which the result will be very emotional in every sense. I've tried to work on the mentality of the players to be prepared for anything that could happen.' 

 

Regarding the start of the matches, he stated: 'Not everything has happened; coming out focused and conceding a goal, also without concentration. For instance, for me the other day against Levante UD we had a better first half, but the 1-0 came in the second. I think both teams will start the game fully focused. We'd like to improve our approach to matches because the first goal can sometimes be quite significant.'

 

On the other hand, the Catalan believes the Granada-based team have some great individual players, but he emphasised, above all, the team's level: 'Manu Trigueros is playing in midfield now, a player who creates a lot of football; they're losing Sergio Ruiz due to suspension, who's also very active in midfield. They're getting playing time in the Primera division, just like ours. There are many more names, but one who's making a difference right now is Lucas Boyé. Granada CF are made up of big names, but they stand out for their overall work.' 

 

Rubi is well aware that winning at the Nuevo Los Cármenes Stadium would mean aspiring to everything; otherwise, they would need to win consecutive matches in the next 4 matches to be in contention.