Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia 'Rubi' did not hesitate to describe Saturday's match against Málaga CF at the UD Almería Stadium as 'the most important game in many years'. With promotion to LaLiga EA Sports at stake, he underlined the significance of the occasion for the Club, the city and the entire province.

'We have come this far through a lot of hard work, and now it is time to finish the job,' said Rubi during his pre-match press conference.

The second leg of the promotion play-off final follows a goalless draw in Málaga, meaning that both a victory and a draw after 90 minutes would secure promotion for the Rojiblancos.

'Everything is still open; nothing has been decided. We are certainly not playing for a draw. We'll go all out to win. We're used to suffering and if we have to suffer again, we're ready for it,' he stressed.

The Catalan also acknowledged the challenge posed by Málaga CF, adding: 'They're going to make things very difficult for us. We'll try to avoid extra time, although it remains a possibility. If it happens, we have a plan B, C and D.'

Asked whether UD Almería's greater experience could prove decisive, the head coach dismissed the idea: 'Not at all. Football will decide it and the team that performs better will come out on top.'

The Vilassar de Mar native also reserved special praise for the supporters, insisting they will have a crucial role to play. 'This match will be played by the players and the fans together. Our supporters have to carry us forward more than ever,' he said.

Rubi does not expect a repeat of the first leg, where both Andalusian sides showed great defensive discipline. 'Both teams were very solid defensively in the first game. Perhaps we lacked a little more fluency in attack. But no two matches are the same; every game is different.'

The UD Almería head coach concluded by highlighting the mood within the squad ahead of the decisive encounter: 'We're full of excitement, with cool heads and passionate hearts.'