Embarba: 'A derby, good weather and a big game'

In football it’s impossible to take a corner-kick and score directly, but with players of Embarba’s quality, you never know. The UD Almería captain set the tone ahead of Sunday’s derby against Málaga CF, asking himself what more could be asked for: 'A derby, good weather and a big game.' He answered it himself immediately: 'Win.'
He stressed the importance of the moment, describing the final stretch of the season as decisive: 'There are 7 matches left and we must approach them like 7 finals in order to depend on ourselves.'

The 33-year-old admitted the squad felt 'the tough blow' suffered in Santander, but insisted the dressing room remains focused: 'We've worked very hard this season to depend on ourselves and be in automatic promotion positions; that defeat won’t slow us down. We know what is at stake and we'll give everything in what remains.'

The experienced winger also analysed the upcoming neighbours: 'With Málaga CF, we still have the sting from the first leg and we want a good result to also win the head-to-head goal difference. It’s a key match. They're a team that win many duels and thrive in open games. They have a young squad that takes responsibility and wants possession.'

Wearing the captain’s armband, the Madrid-born also made a clear appeal to the fans to act as the '12th Man': 'This is a moment in the season when we need our supporters more than ever. I have really felt the fans’ backing this year and on Sunday the atmosphere must be electric. Even those who have doubts, I ask them to stand with us, because this is a match that can define a lot if we get a good result and make good things happen.'