Rubi: ‘We have to perform at our best in this Saturday’s big game’
The head coach acknowledges that it is not just another match since ‘we can take a big step forward to be 12 points above Real Valladolid’
‘Saturday’s match is a big game’ exclaimed UD Almeria head coach Rubi when looking ahead to the next home fixture against Real Valladolid CF at the Juegos Mediterráneos Stadium. The Catalan also stated ‘the rivals have the best squad in the second tier and a rich history in Spanish football. They competed several seasons in a row in the Primera Division and now they’re coming in form as they won their last two games comfortably. We have to perform at our best to be able to overcome them.’
Rubi recognises that it is not just another match, despite the fact that this will be Matchday 17 ‘if we win we can open the gap to 12 points with direct rivals who are fighting for promotion.’ At the same time, he pointed out ‘we have to be calm, confident, do things well and enjoy playing on the field because even if we lost we’d still have an important advantage of points with the third-placed team.’
The UD Almería gaffer does not see a state of relaxation within his squad following their lead atop of the LaLiga SmartBank table and that is the reason why he indicated ‘I see them highly motivated to stay on the right track. They have their feet on the ground and they all know that we haven’t achieved anything yet. Also, if we don't train hard, if we don't work every minute and if we don't go all out for every point, we won't achieve these positive results.’
Rubi foresees ‘a frenetic game with the ball close to the two boxes because both teams play vertical football. It’ll be a league meeting to see who scores the most goals, not to see who concedes the least.’
On another note, Rubi said there is some room for improvement in different aspects such as ‘being able to finish the counter-attacks well or not to gift the ball as we did in the final minutes of the game against UD Ibiza.’ He spoke of the strategy in attack too.
Finally, the UD Almería head coach sent a message to the Rojiblancos’ fans, about whom he said ‘we can only thank them for their total support, however we need that support even more this Saturday. We’re going to go all out for a win.’