Rodrigo Ely: 'We have quality, now we just need to show our personality'
The Brazilian UD Almeria centre-back assures 'the team has its own identity and more than enough quality'
UD Almería are fully involved in their final days of preparations before facing Málaga CF on Friday and Granada CF on Saturday. Both games with kick-offs set at 7:30pm (CEST). The players continue to give it their all in training and they have to cope with the sweltering temperatures, but always with their minds set on the opening game against Real Madrid CF to be played on 14th August.
Rodrigo Ely has chatted to the Club's official media. The central defender who was key last season with his goals in the last games and with his effective defensive skills talked about what he expects from the upcoming season in the first tier of Spanish football. The Rojiblanco assured that he is 'really happy to be able to continue helping the team one more season and very excited about competing and enjoying it.'
The pre-seasons are always of great help to all the sides. The centre-back believes that it is the perfect time to start the beginning of the competition with well-charged batteries: 'I'm working hard in all the practices and doing my best to get back into match fitness in order to play in the top flight with confidence. We know that games are now tougher and we have to keep on performing more training sessions to be well-prepared.'
This 2022/23 season, UD Almería will be a team characterised by its young talents. It is the second youngest squad in LaLiga Santander and in these situations, the most experienced players have to be the role models of the youngest. Ely states 'it's essential to have both types of players to have a balanced squad, since we know that there are team-mates who haven't yet played in the top flight and have great hope. Those of us who are here and have played for a few years must bring experience in key moments and know that we have more than enough quality.'
The 28-year-old Brazilian has played several seasons in the elite of Spanish football and this year he returns to the top flight again. The centre-back always knew that 'I had the qualities required to play in this tier. Now it's a matter of showing my potential over time and returning to compete in the first division, which is where everyone wants to be.'
'We're going to face teams of great quality, we're talking about the highest level of football and we're going to have moments of suffering in which we must always stick together and be united.' This is the advice that the UD Almería central defender would give to young players who asked him what the first division is like. Everyone talks about the opening game against reigning LaLiga Santander champions, yet Ely comments: 'Now we have to focus on the pre-season and continue to take part in more training sessions and workload. We have to get to the break in November in great shape. The first game is really exciting as it'll be played in front of our fans against the current league winners, but there's still time left and we have to look at the whole season.' Rodrigo Ely is clear about it: 'We have quality, now we just need to show personality.'