Chumi: 'I've made a good recovery and I'm ready to play'
The UD Almería central defender says: 'If the head coach deems it appropriate, I wouldn't have any problem playing a full match.' Chumi, who has been on the treatment table for almost 3 months, emphasises: 'We're at a time when we all have to be united.'
Juan Brandáriz Movilla 'Chumi' is one of the most authoritative voices in the UD Almería squad. He is also one of the Club's longest-serving players as this is his fifth season. 'I've made a good recovery and I'm ready to play,' told the Club's official radio station.
The squad's co-captain, who is available again after almost 3 months out due to injury, was already called up for the match in Cádiz, although he didn't make it to the starting line-up. The absence of suspended Kaiky could give him a chance of making an injury comeback. Regarding this possibility, he said: 'It's true that I've been out for a long time, but recovery has gone well and with the weeks I've been with the group, I wouldn't have any problem playing a full match if the head coach deems it appropriate.'
Furthermore, as the 26-year-old pointed out: 'I'm really looking forward to it. When I got injured, my goal was to reach this final and decisive stretch of the season. We can't fight for automatic promotion, but we can fight for a place in the play-offs.'
UD Almería sit 6th, although it's not yet guaranteed that promotion spot. There are three matches left to reach them and in Chumi's opinion: 'It'll be vital to do so with a great feeling because it'd really strengthen us for the promotion play-offs.'
The match against Racing is decisive, as will the following ones. The UD Almería centre-back explained: 'They're 3 very different matches, but all of them are crucial.' The first, on Sunday, 'would mean taking a huge step forward if we win.'
The Cántabros are direct, very direct opponents and tremendously tough because 'they're also playing for the possibility of automatic promotion.' The UD Almería player predicted a match 'with good football and a glut of chances since they have a lot of potential up front, just like us.'
It will be key, Chumi emphasised 'to defend like we did in Cádiz, but from the off and with 11 players.' That attitude, that commitment... with the offensive arsenal of the Indálicos, could be decisive. Chumi doesn't hesitate to point out: 'We're at a time when we all have to be united by the same goal, which is to move up to the top flight.'