Rubi: ‘The players have celebrated the passage with real enthusiasm’
The UD Almeria head coach highlights that both teams merited a victory at El Rubial Stadium
Rubi highlighted in the press room the huge effort made by his players to stay alive in the Spanish Cup first-round tie: ‘We’ve played better in the first half while they’ve managed to make us more nervous in the second. We’ve rued missed chances so we didn’t manage to win earlier. My players have pulled their socks up in each duel against a team that has fought bravely. It’s unquestionably that there are also great players in Segunda RFEF.’
When it comes to reflecting on the rivals’ performance, the Catalan commented that he saw ‘a fierce, intense and tough team to face. I’m surprised that they’re actually not doing better in their league. I’ve seen interesting attackers who have caused trouble on the wings. I wish them the best of luck in their competition.’ Rubi added and acknowledged ‘I’ve had a bad time throughout the whole tie but in that final stretch of the game, we’ve suffered several counter-attacks that could’ve sealed their passage.’
The match headed into extra-time and the Rojiblancos’ gaffer said the following: ‘We came with the firm intention of not going into penalties, however when you can't add more goals to the score, anything can happen. It's normal. Uche's goal took us to extra-time.’ Regarding the fatigue, he has downplayed it: ‘This is their job and we’ve got suitable ways for the physios to work on recovery. There are three days to prepare for the next game. I’m not worried because our players are strong and more than ready for this.’
Rubi talked about the electric atmosphere at El Rubial Stadium: ‘I congratulate both groups of fans. It’s been an extraordinary game in which they’ve been up to the task. They’ve made the tie difficult for us. The rivals have been growing and believing that they could eliminate us. The players have celebrated the passage to the second round and that makes me feel that they also wanted to progress in the Copa del Rey.’
Lastly, the head coach referred to his Georgian goalkeeper: ‘Makaritze has played through lower back pain but we understood that he had to help us and I’m really happy that he made that great save.’