Rubi: I can't wait for 11pm on Sunday to secure survival

'I can't wait for 11pm on Sunday to secure survival,' stated UD Almería head coach at the pre-Espanyol press conference. He has full confidence in the chances of his side. In fact, he explained: 'It's been a week in which we've tried to leave everything ready and so that the footballers can be fully focused on the match,' furthermore, as he recalled: 'We depend on ourselves and we'll go all out to win even if a tie would also be worth it. If we don't add points, we'll wait for goddess luck, but we won't think that happen. We're going to get something for sure and we'll achieve the objective.'

 

Moreover, Rubi reflected: 'UD Almería deserve to continue in the Primera Division. The other five teams that play to avoid relegation might think the same, but I'm very convinced that UD Almeria truly deserve it. What's more, we should have already secured survival with the same points we have, but there have been unexpected results that have made this last a little longer.'

 

The Rojiblancos' gaffer will not know until the last minute if he will be able to count on striker Luis Suárez, while with regard to El Bilal Touré, he said: 'He isn't one hundred percent, but he's done very well in training this week.'

 

When asked about the rivals, he did not hesitate to point out: 'I expect the best Espanyol squad and I'm sure that they'll win to dedicate the victory to their fans. They're a team that score goals with ease and we'll have to be well focused at all times.' He then added: 'We've felt sorry for their relegation, but the Pericos will return to Primera for sure. I hope they'll earn promotion to the top tier.' 

 

Rubi also stated: 'Last season, we played for promotion in Leganés and we saw how the adversaries went all out to win the match. Now the same thing will happen. It's a lesson that we should learn.'

 

Regarding the protests that may take place at the RCDE Stadium, he indicated: 'We prefer not getting involved. On the one hand, we respect what Espanyol decide, and on the other hand, we have nothing against the refereeing teams. We're going to focus on the game.' 

 

The head coach sent a message to the fans, who are going to travel in numbers to Barcelona: 'It isn't a good kick-off time for such a long journey. We hope to celebrate at the end of the game and that they have that reward of knowing that next campaign  they have thirty-eight more games to enjoy in the Primera Division”.