Embarba: 'I'm not ashamed to play in the second division'

Adrián Embarba, despite having already worn the red and white stripes, remains part of UD Almería's extended squad for practical purposes. The forward, who netted a brace in the final pre-season friendly against Al Nassr FC, reflected on his performance, particularly the first goal: 'I saw the goalkeeper spill the ball, anticipated it and managed to lob it in a way that the defender couldn’t clear it,' he told UDA Radio.

Embarba also spoke about his second goal, a team effort, noting: 'That shows the essence of the team. At half-time, we discussed how we were rushing things in attack. In the second half, we made one extra pass, stayed calm and finished more effectively.'

With an extensive football career that spans various contexts, the 33-year-old Madrid native expressed confidence ahead of the new season: 'I'm ready. I've played multiple seasons in the second division, and I’m always proud. When I'm comfortable in a role, I give it my all. This league is long and highly competitive, and I hope to contribute to UD Almería's return to the top flight.'

Embarba also spoke about the sense of importance he feels within the squad: 'My team-mates, the staff and the Club make me feel valued and that gives me a lot of confidence. I've always enjoyed taking on a leadership role and helping my teammates whenever I can.'

As the LaLiga Hypermotion season looms, Embarba identified one key area for success: 'It’s crucial to work from the back. We know that in attack, we'll create chances with very little. If we stay united and defend high up the pitch, limiting the opposition's chances, we'll become a strong team fighting for our goals.'