Almería keep a sixth straight win in view but refuse to look too far ahead

“When we get to matchday 36 or 37, with five or six games left, that is when we will really look at where we are and what we can aim for. A sixth consecutive win would be very nice, I won’t deny it, but naturally we are focusing on the match, and Sunday’s challenge will be immense.” The remarks capture the cautious approach at Almería before Sunday’s home game against Leganés on matchday nine of LaLiga Hypermotion.

Xavi García Pimienta warned that Leganés were “a top team”, despite their recent run of poor results. He pointed to the work of Rubén Albés, who “knows exactly what he wants”, and to the experience of his players in the division. García Pimienta also said a side coming off poor results would be highly motivated to respond.

Almería have won five in a row and could make it six, while moving closer to the automatic promotion places. But García Pimienta said his side first had to “earn the right to fight for important things”. He expects a “very difficult, very physical” contest, similar to the previous week’s meeting with Burgos, which Almería won.

The coach also said that from Monday, an unnamed person in his remarks would train with the squad and could feature in matches if he considered it appropriate.