Rubi: ‘The only thing that matters to us is to beat SD Ponferradina on Monday’
The UD Almeria head coach praises the opponents from El Bierzo and expects to ‘give continuity in the game to the great week of training they’ve had’
‘The only thing that matters to us is to beat SD Ponferradina on Monday,’ that's how clear UD Almeria head coach Rubi expressed himself in the presser ahead of the home game between the Rojiblancos and the guests from El Bierzo. It is the first of the 8 remaining games for the conclusion of the regular season and also the first of the 4 last home matches. The gaffer made it clear ‘we want to go all out in every game left, starting with the imminent one this Monday.’
The Catalan explained ‘we want to return to winning ways in our Stadium because we haven't been able to win the last two games, although we felt better vibes than results, as well as the last Matchday in Huesca, where the team were down to nine players.’ Rubi is utterly convinced of his side’s response and stressed ‘we want to give continuity to the great week of training we’ve had. SD Ponferradina will have to try hard to prevent our attackers from getting forward.’
When talking about the opponents, the Catalan head coach highlighted ‘they’ve dropped out of the play-off spots, but they continue pushing on in the race for promotion thanks to their goal difference. The truth is that I can only praise them for the season they’ve been performing. It’s a great team with a great head coach and coaching staff, who have earned the respect of everyone in the second tier. Their squad might not be one of the most expensive ones, but it’s been very well built. We’ll have to do very well to be able to defeat them.’
The Vilassar de Mar native added ‘they’ve got many strengths’ and underlined in this regard that ‘they’re very dangerous when crossing from wide positions, from set-pieces, on the counter-attack…’
Last but not least, Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia ‘Rubi’ sent a message to all the UD Almeria fans: ‘I can't ask for more than what they’ve already done and we’re genuinely grateful,’ however the league is in its final and decisive phase and the only thing I could ask our crowd for is ‘to cheer our players on with energy and put pressure on the rivals so that they struggle, always with a sense of sportsmanship as fans.’