Rubi: 'We're going into the play-offs in great form'
The UD Almería head coach says: 'We've won the last 7 home games and in the last 5 league fixtures, we've only conceded 2 goals in Cádiz playing with 9 players.' He acknowledged: 'We're losing 27 goals' due to the absence of Luis Suárez, but clarified: 'We're going to make up for it very well.'
UD Almería head coach Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia 'Rubi' gave a press conference to discuss the start of the play-offs this Saturday at 9pm against Real Oviedo at the UD Almería Stadiums. The gaffer made it very clear: 'We're coming into the play-offs in great form,' explaining: 'We've won the last 7 home games and in the last 5 league fixtures, we've conceded only 2 goals, which came in Cádiz in added time, playing with 9 players.'
Some key players will miss out on the involvemente in the game, although the Catalan head coach stated: 'Before we were 25, now we're 23, and with them we're going to go all out.' Speaking about Luis Suárez, Rubi acknowledged: 'We're losing 27 goals, but we're going to make up for it very well.' He also added: 'The team's enthusiasm is at its highest, and we're at our best.'
The Vilassar de Mar native was asked if the Club had done anything to try to stop the Colombian from playing for his national team: 'Of course, we haven't been idle, although it hasn't been possible.' In fact, he said: 'The call-up is legitimate as is Luis's departure. The problem is the bad timing. I've been saying this since 2014 when I was with Real Valladolid.'
Since Monday night, 'the international duty was given the green light and from then on, everything has been focused on preparing for this Saturday's game,' he pointed out. The UD Almería gaffer considered that in this type of knockout tie, talking about a favourite is difficult, although he clarified: 'Real Oviedo finished 3rd and we finished 6th.'
'Most likely everything will be decided in the second leg' and predicted: 'There will be a lot of games in 180 minutes.' Rubi spoke of a very demanding and complicated play-off tie, given the opponents' current form and potential: 'Real Oviedo have been very strong all season. They're solid, they play brilliant football, they know what they want, they have excellent players, they have experience... As I said, it's going to be a big game,' he concluded.