Ranko Popovic: ‘I don't really care how, but we're going to win’
The former UD Almeria player led a historic comeback against Girona FC like the one that the Rojiblancos need on Saturday
Football contains great unforgettable chapters and historical feats to show that nothing is impossible. The situation to be faced by Unión Deportiva Almería in the play-off semi-final second-leg for promotion to the top flight will not be easy at all. The Indalicos will have to overturn a 3-0 deficit against Girona FC and that is a mountain to climb for anybody as it was for Real Zaragoza back in 2015. The Maño team had conceded 3 goals during the first-leg at La Romareda Stadium which a few days later converted into a 1-4 at the Montilivi Stadium to book their place in the final. How? ‘With absolute faith and truly believing from the bottom of our hearts’ assured former UD Almeria player Ranko Popovic when catching up with UDA Radio.
The former UD Almería player has described in detail the way to bite the bullet and reverse a situation that, a priori, seemed impossible. ‘It was nil-three when I walked in the changing room when nobody believed in our capability to stage that comeback in the second-leg. I believed in it. I had a thousand thoughts running through my head and I saw the players completely devastated in the changing rooms. I told them that I didn’t really care how but we were going to win and score the opener so the opposing team would think they still had a two-goal advantage but by the time we scored the second, they’d have nothing to do any longer because we’d continue to score goals. The players stood up, looked at me with a twinkle in their eyes as we knew we were going to make it,’ the Serbian shared his fond memories with the Club's official radio station.
Faith but also determination: ‘If someone thinks that we’re not going to achieve it, he’d better stay here because he’s not going to travel with us,’ the former Real Zaragoza head coach told his squad.
Popovic stressed ‘the UD Almería players must be fully aware of the great opportunity they have to make history and achieve something as historic as turning a 3-0 into victory. If they manage to score the first goal and keep pushing for the second, Girona may have the problem.’ Likewise, he mentioned that the fans can also do their bit: ‘Everyone who goes to the stadium must cheer on their team and believe in the comeback. There will be time to judge later but while the game lasts, all hands on deck.’