‘I would find a solution as soon as possible; this cannot take any longer’

Iván Barbero states that ‘many players on loan, like me, don't know anything about our near future.’ ‘I would try to find a solution as soon as possible,’ were the statements made by Iván Barbero on the club's official station, UDA Radio, when pointing out that it is best to avoid the uncertainty created by the undated pause of the playoffs. 

Moreover, the striker did not hesitate to express his personal opinion regarding how the championship could come to an end ‘I would propose a neutral stadium, 90 minutes and the side that win next, move onto the First Division. It will take just a week and that's the end of the story.’ 

The Almería player mentioned that the fact that the play-offs have not started yet ‘is very distressing.’ In this sense, he stressed: ‘For many players on loan, like me, for instance, do not know anything about our near future, it makes us overthink and worry about what comes next.’ For this reason, the centre forward made it clear during the interview the importance of not taking too long when it comes down to making decisions. 

Already focused on their next opponents in the fight for promotion to the Spanish top flight, Barbero was fully aware that ‘any team are meant to be considerably complicated’ and therefore, playing Girona would be similar to taking on Zaragoza - who expects as rivals -, Fuenlabrada or Elche —depending on how the season ends. Thereby, the ‘false 9’ stressed: ‘We have to care about ourselves and not about the rivals because as I see it, we have been clearly one of the best squads throughout the season. We must demonstrate that we are capable of defeating anyone.’ 

Iván also referred to the fact that the squad have ‘the mind set on going to play again’, which makes them, in the same way, deeply aware that they have to ‘be prepared physically and, above all, mentally.’ ‘The team, now more than ever, have to come together, feeling strong enough, because what is coming now is the most difficult part of the season and the definitive proof of all the hard work we have done so far, which must be rewarded’, explained the footballer. During the conversation on UDA Radio, homegrown Barbero spoke about the two disallowed goals he scored against Málaga as he was both times offside, defining them as ‘real pity’, because he ‘was feeling bullish to have scored and that would have given Almeria the three points leaving them with good vibes’, the forward concluded.