Press conference
Rubi: 'We're going to face one of the teams who are at the top of their game'
The UD Almería head coach, who praises Levante UD, states that his team must improve on set pieces and be more effective in the areas. Although the gaffer would like his team to be at the top of the table, he points out: 'We're at kilometre 6 of this marathon-like league.'
'We're going to face one of the two or three teams who are at the top of their game in Segunda due to the attractive football they play, thanks to the young footballers who have caught everyone's eye and some other middle-aged players who have already stood out,' explained UD Almería head coach Rubi when talking about Sunday's rivals Levante UD at the Ciudad de Valencia Stadium. 'They control many aspects of the game and despite playing on home turf, we'll also have to be aware of their counter-attacks, which are very dangerous,' he added.
The Catalan head coach has full confidence in his team and assured: 'We'll try to play making sensible decisions and being well organised to avoid an exchange of chances.' Rubi explained that they are working more on set pieces to improve their defensive and attacking displays. 'We're among those teams who take the most corner-kicks along with Deportivo, and we have to finish plays better,' he stressed. Aside from this, he once again insisted on being more efficient to make the most of the many scoring opportunities available to the Rojiblancos, just the opposite of what happens with their opponents. For this reason, the gaffer expects to become more effective in the areas.
There will be changes to Sunday's Starting XI. Pubill is injured, although his sprained knee is improving to such an extent that he would not be ruled out for the next fixture. With regard to Levante UD, Rubi said: 'We can make a tactical variant with Chumi or place Pozo or Arnau there. We have alternatives.' He also has options in the midfield, where he could make moves seeking to make the rivals more uncomfortable in their attacking and not bet on a midfield as attacking as the one he usually chooses.
On the other hand, the Vilassar de Mar native made it clear that his players are well aware of where they are and what the second division is like, at the same time that 'they've detected that within the healthy, honest and hardworking squad, there was a lack of greater unity and strength in the group.'
Rubi was asked if he was worried about being so placed in the lower part of the table and he responded: 'I'd like to be at the top, of course, but let's not forget that this is like a marathon. They are 42 kilometres and 42 Matchdays in the league. Now we're at kilometre 6 and those in the lead are not guaranteed to reach the finish line first, nor are those further back ruled out. This is very long and there's a long way to go '