Pepe Mel: 'We must be professional; there are teams with a lot at stake'
The UD Almería head coach underlines how tough this Sunday's match against RCD Mallorca and the following against Cádiz CF will be
'We must be professional and make the right decisions on the pitch because RCD Mallorca have a lot at stake and so are other LaLiga teams,' said UD Almería head coach Pepe Mel at the pre-Mallorca press conference although these words also apply to the following Matchday, when UD Almería host Cádiz CF. 'These two games are very difficult to play and I think everyone understands it. You put yourself in the shoes of the opponents, but we're professionals and we have to try to win,' he added.
Sticking to the imminent appointment away from home against RCD Mallorca, the Rojiblancos' gaffer announced: 'There will be changes in the starting XI and those players who are feeling fresh and the most excited to demonstrate things will feature.'
'Against FC Barcelona we started playing on Thursday night and almost we finish on Friday. There is a physical fatigue,' explained Pepe Mel as he will announce the squad list this Sunday before flying charter to Palma de Mallorca. Ramazani will serve a one-game ban. Baba, who was operated last Friday for appendicitis and Lopy, who left the last training session with a muscle issue, have been dropped. The head coach had no problem saying that Fernando will be the goalkeeper: 'One of the most positive aspects that I've found in the dressing room is the fantastic behavior they've had the three professional goalkeepers on the squad, something that isn't very common.'
When talking about Real Mallorca, the Madrid native indicated: 'They have a lot at stake. Reaching the Spanish Cup final, it seemed that they weren't going to have problems and now they have to play a match with nerves. I expect tough opponents, as are all Javier Aguirre's teams; furthermore, the play on the attack well and I reckon that their regular system will not change. It's going to be very complicated because on top of that, if we want to take the game to them, they put high pressure on you, and if you don't they play vertical football.'
Mr Mel wished UD Almería 'B' the best of luck ahead of their participation in the play-offs for promotion. He believes that the lads have big chances to earn promotion, he highlighted the importance of the players' work and valued the importance of having grassroots footballers because 'it fuels many things between the fans and the Club itself.'