José ‘Verza’: ‘Without underestimating Atlético de Madrid, I see it feasible for UD Almería to win if they match them’
The former UD Almeria captain, recalls that magical night in 2014 when the then leaders were beaten 2-0.
Many football supporters were taken aback by the Matchday 23 results of the past 2013/14 season after doing the pools when UD Almería beat then leaders Atlético de Madrid -and later champions- of the top-tier LaLiga BBVA by two goals to nil, and Jose Antonio Garcia Rabasco was responsible for it: ‘During the week, we were determined to play a good game, compete fiercely and even score. We knew that they were a team that used to hammered others and that they didn’t fail on their trips. They always won. They played brilliant games. We all played a great game because we believed we could make it from the first training session of the week,’ recalled the former UD Almeria captain as he gave UDA Radio, the Club's official station, an interview.
The midfielder looked back on that magical night and the key tools to clinch victory: ‘If you come out onto a pitch feeling like the underdog, you have nothing to do. In the end, UD Almería are in the top flight for a reason and I reckon the players must walk out onto the pitch thinking that anything can happen 11v11. It's a one-on-one duel. You should never underestimate your rivals but neither fear them. If you're afraid, you’ll start losing. If UD Almeria compete at the same level using their own weapons, they can beat Atlético de Madrid.’
Verza scored one of the two goals of the match: ‘It was one of the three best nights of my footballing career. Beating the ones who ended up being crowned league champions when we were in need of points meant so much to me. They were three well-deserved points,’ he commented.
The Orihuela native, who hung up his boots, keeps up with the UD Almería news with great enthusiasm: ‘I went to Bisbal’s 20th anniversary concert and I was blown away by the remodelling of the Stadium and the new changing rooms. Just seeing it from the outside, I was amazed. We can’t thank the new UD Almería owner and management enough for everything they’re doing for the Club. We’ve been terribly lucky because this is an ambitious, successful project. They continue to improve year after year.’
