Press conference
Rubi: 'We're facing very tough rivals who will make things really difficult for us'
The UD Almería head coach says: 'SD Huesca have been able to win away to Elche CF, Granada CF, Real Oviedo and Racing de Santander. That's saying something.' He states that his side will have to put in the hard yards to defeat them and highlights the importance of the fans
'We're facing very tough rivals who will make things really difficult for us and we'll have to put in the hard yards to be able to defeat them,' stated UD Almería head coach Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia 'Rubi' as he looked ahead to this Sunday's battle against SD Huesca at the UD Almería Stadium (KO 9pm Spanish Time/ Matchday 23).
The UD Almería head coach argued: 'SD Huesca have been able to win away to Elche CF, Granada CF, Real Oviedo, Racing de Santander and suffered a last-gasp defeat against another great team, Levante UD. That's saying something.'
'Their head coach brings tactical richness to the team. Depending on the match they play, they make some very interesting adjustments, always with a reason behind it. We've seen how he changes and how he uses his centre-backs or other players. They're difficult to win in duels, they have a good defensive organisation and we're worried about having the ball more or less,' explained the Catalan when analysing the Northern opponents.
The UD Almería gaffer admitted that his team's Spanish Cup exit last Wednesday 'had affected them emotionally because we were very excited about this tournament, but we're now fully focused on the league and with good tactics and strategies to have the highest motivation because we defend our top place. We're facing a great team that is doing a great job…'
SD Huesca will be one of the rivals from the top zone in the table that will visit the UD Almería Stadium in the second half of the season. 'If we win, we'll take a giant step forward,' Rubi stressed.
The Vilassar de Mar native also attached great importance to the unrivalled support of the UD Almería fans. On another note, he has not yet decided who will replace Luis Suárez, although he pointed out: 'There are several options and we'll work on it in the last training session on Saturday.' This Friday's session has been light because there are several who are still on the mend, like Marezi.
The Rojiblancos'gaffer indicated: 'I'm not going to deny what Luis gives us, but it's a challenge for the team to be able to verify that with this absence the level does not drop.' Speaking of absences, he clarified that SD Huesca will also have another very significant one, Oscar Sielva.