Rubi: 'We must forget this game and focus on Sunday'

UD Almería head coach Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia, known as Rubi, acknowledged after the match that CD Castellón were worthy winners, while expressing frustration at how the defeat unfolded. The Rojiblancos' gaffer called on his players to turn the page immediately and focus on Sunday’s upcoming game at the UD Almería Stadium.

'We must forget this game and focus on CD Leganés because there’s no time to dwell on it,' he stated. 'We’re not going to get carried away with good results or punish ourselves over bad ones.' With the season entering a decisive stage, Rubi emphasised the importance of looking ahead, especially with another key fixture just days away.

Reflecting on the match, the Catalan explained that 'the first half was evenly-matched, we barely suffered and not much happened. They scored and we had Soko’s counter-attack to equalise.' However, he was particularly frustrated with the opening goal conceded, saying 'it annoys me how the opener came about because with 3 centre-backs we can’t allow a loose ball from a set-piece to slip away like that.'

Rubi admitted that the hosts were superior after the break: 'In the second half they were better than us and deserved the win.'

The UD Almería gaffer also defended his initial tactical approach with 3 centre-backs, although he later adjusted the system by adding another forward 'to try to spark the team in attack.' While the change didn’t fully deliver, he pointed out: 'We had a very clear chance that could have made it 1–1.'

Ultimately, the Vilassar de Mar native concluded: 'Our attacking output was below that of our opponents,' as UD Almería now shift their full attention to Sunday’s crucial encounter against CD Leganés.