Press conference
Rubi: 'Our obligation is to get into the play-offs as soon as possible'
The UDA head coach has set his goal of making the most of the two consecutive home games to try to secure the 6 points at stake. He also emphasised: 'In the 6 remaining matches, we have to create a positive atmosphere.'
'Our obligation is to get into the play-off spots as soon as possible,' stated UD Almería head coach Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia 'Rubi' ahead of this Monday's match at 8:30pm against Racing Club Ferrol at the UD Almería Stadium (Matchday 37).
The gaffer emphasised: 'We have to make the most of the two consecutive home games we have to try to secure the 6 points that will surely help us climb the table due to the head-to-head clashes we have.'
The Rojiblancos face Monday's match without Lopy, 'a player who contributes a lot,' said the head coach. He also added: 'We need to work on more aspects in the team because we haven't done well in Castellón,' aside from the fact that the Indálicos will play a double-header in 6 days.
Rubi is not at all confident about Racing de Ferrol, who could be relegated to the Primera RFEF on this Matchday. In fact, he explained: 'It's going to be more difficult than the standings suggest. They're very tough opponents and they don't look like they're going to be a free agent. They have players who will want to redeem themselves and they're going to make it very difficult for us. We have the utmost respect for them, and we must keep our feet on the ground, showing the good form we display at home.'
Trips are another matter, but for now, UD Almería are working up a sweat in their Stadium. 'I have to find a way for the team to compete more consistently away from home,' explained the Catalan. He is focusing on taking it 'one game at a time and creating a positive atmosphere in the 6 remaining matches and reaching the end like a rocket, and we'll see where we stand.'
On that note, the Vilassar de Mar native emphasised: 'It's us who have to start creating that environment with victories, but we want everyone to get on board afterward because we all want the same thing for our team.'
The week has been very long and 'tough,' as the head coach described it because 'we're disappointed with ourselves,' but at the same time it's been positive since 'we've had time for everything: to work, to correct specific aspects, to talk and encourage the players...In short, we're preparing for the match with the maximum guarantees to try to get the three points.'