‘We got back into training quite early with the intention of supporting the first-team’
Almería B return to training to begin their pre-season preparation. Fernando Santos values this new stage prior to the championship
Fernando Santos ‘Nadinho’ stated that ‘Almería B are very keen to start the pre-season preparation.’ The UD Almeria homegrown players exercised at the Vega de Acá training ground after six months without being able to do so as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, so that the training session stood out for being a first contact with the physical and tactical football aspects. In fact, the head coach made it clear that it is necessary ‘to keep calm to try not to take risks because the guys have been physically inactive for quite a long time.’
The Porto-born head coach, together with Agustín Sánchez, a member of the UD Almería Academy coordination, warmly welcomed all the youngsters. It is worth highlighting the presence of Lluis Tarrés amongst the players, who happens to belong to the second-team after moving up a rank within the Academy. The Catalan goalkeeper, who took part in the final phase of LaLiga SmartBank with UD Almeria, has given up part of his holidays as a means to join his new team-mates. Nonetheless, it is highly likely that the young keeper will get back into training with the first-team squad, as it has been happening up to now.
In fact, ‘Nandinho’ explained that Almería B returned to training quite early due to the need to support the first-team in their pre-season preparation. ‘They are definitely going to need players from the B-team and we have to include them at a competitive pace, so that by the time they have to be there, they won’t struggle’, he explained.
The Portuguese head coach expressed his opinion that the UD Almeria second-team ‘s goal this season is to remain at the top of the table, even though he is still building up an effective squad to achieve their full potential.