UD Almería head coach Xavier García Pimienta has spoken in very clear terms about the upcoming trip to Majorca: ‘It’s a cracking game and we’re facing a recently-relegated side who I consider to be an excellent team. RCD Mallorca have a very strong squad and an excellent head coach who knows exactly how he wants his team to play.’

The gaffer emphasised the significance of the fixture: ‘We're here to play these kinds of matches and we are ready,’ referring to the quality of what promises to be an exciting Matchday 7 encounter in LaLiga Hypermotion.

The Barcelona-born also outlined some of the keys to continuing the team’s positive run of results: ‘We'll be looking to become the best version of ourselves both with and without the ball. Hopefully the game will pan out in the way we want it to. However, when you face a side like this, with so much quality, there'll be moments when we have to defend together.’

The UD Almería first-team boss expanded on that idea: ‘When they have a spell in which they take control of the game, we must enjoy defending and remain solid. That must be the strength of a team like ours: adapting to the circumstances.’

Having pointed out that RCD Mallorca are ‘in form and have one more point than us’, García Pimienta was also keen to underline the threat posed by the Balearic side: ‘The league is very evenly-matched, as you know, but RCD  Mallorca are one of those big teams with individual talent. Even when they aren't at their best, they can still win the game.’

‘They're clearly a top-flight LaLiga side. If you always must stay focused, imagine what it’s like against opponents with such potential. Even if you're dominating or ahead, they have quality, they're well prepared and well coached by Luis García and they can still beat you,' he added. 

García Pimienta once again stressed his side’s ability to adapt and expressed his confidence in the competitiveness he expects to see away from home: ‘We must be brave, show personality and go there with the mentality of winning, knowing that we'll have to adapt to different types of game.’