‘Substitutions help us to strengthen the team spirit’

José Gomes reflected on UD Almería's progress to the Spanish Copa del Rey quarter-finals and made it clear that it was thanks to the ‘players’ phenomenal attitude,’ which enabled them to ‘respect the game plan.’ The Portuguese head coach opted for a starting XI with different players in contention to win the cup tie. This fact led him to exclaim: ‘Substitutions help us to strengthen the team spirit. Every day we’re stronger at that level.’

The Lusitanian boss acknowledged that it is not easy to make so many changes when training. However, he mentioned that ‘the players’ hard work to stick to the game plan and their tasks’ makes him come to those crucial decisions. Thus, in relation to the tie, he stated: ‘I’m very happy with my players because it was a really difficult game against a team that put intensity and a lot of speed in on the wings and usually score. The substitutions made have given a phenomenal result.’

Despite the joy, Gomes underlined that ‘now we must think about Saturday’s league match.’ Of course, the media asked him to confess which rivals he would like his team to be drawn away with in the Spanish Cup quarter-finals and he had a clear idea of ​​preferring ‘one who makes things easy to advance.’ This was stressed while pointing out that any adversaries ‘will be very tough.’