Rubi: 'If we reach 70 points, we'll demand a lot from our rivals’
The UD Almería head coach highlights home form, intensity and the challenge of facing CD Mirandés
UD Almería can achieve this Monday their 8th back-to-back home victory, ‘something that gives us special excitement,’ head coach Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia 'Rubi' stressed, as it also ‘intimidates opponents,’ among other factors. He warned about the difficulty of the match due to everything CD Mirandés are playing for.
A new final awaits UD Almería with just 5 matches remaining, as they host CD Mirandés. The visitors are also fighting for important objectives, which will make things even tougher for a side pushing to stay in the automatic promotion spots. A W would take UD Almería up to 70 points in the table, which, as Rubi pointed out in the pre-match press conference, would mean they ‘would put a lot of pressure on our rivals.’ It would also mark the 8th consecutive home win, a historic record. ‘It'd make us especially happy to achieve it. These are important numbers that intimidate opponents,’ he added.
The Rojiblancos arrive in good shape for this antepenultimate home fixture of the season at the UD Almería Stadium. The Catalan gaffer explained that ‘the players are highly motivated and confident in the work being done,’ adding that ‘we want to maintain the momentum and the fluidity we showed against Málaga CF and Granada CF.’ He also emphasised: 'We'll start strongly, going all out and trying to impose a high tempo.’
As Rubi noted: 'UD Almería must deliver a high-level performance to beat CD Mirandés,’ while also praising the opposition: ‘They have only lost one of their last 7 matches, away against Deportivo de La Coruña. They have reduced the gap to the relegation zone to 3 points, they're a young team that play good football and is well coached. We must be careful with set pieces and their wide play. They caused us a lot of problems in Miranda de Ebro. It is true they're without their top-scorer, Carlos Fernández, who is having a great season, but whoever replaces him will give everything.’
The Vilassar de Mar native also heaped praise for the UD Almería fans, saying that ‘their strong support has been fundamental for us.’ He also called for maximum respect toward referees amid recent controversies, such as Deportivo de La Coruña’s newsletter. ‘I warned that this would happen, but we aren't going to get involved in that,’ he concluded.