Rubén Albés backs a response and keeps his system after 4-0 defeat

“The feeling is one of defiance; I’m convinced we’re going to respond.” Rubén Albés made his determination clear after Leganés’ 4-0 defeat at Cádiz. The coach remains committed to a system with three centre-backs and two wing-backs despite the loss, and says his side can recover before Sunday’s trip to Almería.

Speaking two days before that match, Albés said the mood had shifted after the defeat. He contrasted it with the week before the game against Castellón, which he said had affected his team particularly badly. “This isn’t us, and we have to be different, as we have been and as we must be,” he insisted. He also said he trusts the quality of his squad in every line and repeated: “I’m convinced we’re going to respond, of course.”

For Albés, the answer lies in taking action and believing in themselves. “It’s about moving forward, putting things right, finding solutions and, above all, believing in yourself,” he said. He noted that the conversation had been different ten days earlier, while his team has now suffered two consecutive defeats. He expects to see “a great many changes” in his side after the loss at Cádiz.

Albés outlined the areas to address: restoring tactical habits the team had stopped following, showing greater mental strength after defeats and competing better in duels, where his players were clearly second best in the previous match. He acknowledged that his selection choices against Cádiz “were not correct”. For the Almería game, he wants Leganés to recover “a little of its roots” and said the level shown was below what his club — or any second-division side — should expect.

The coach is not planning to change the structure. In his view, results are more connected to collective and mental behaviours than to the setup. He said a change would make little sense now that Franquesa and Tejero are available again in the wide positions. He also defended Morata, saying the forward “will play well in any structure”.

Albés acknowledged Almería’s attacking threat and said his team would approach the trip with respect, while still believing in the strengths it has already shown. “We have our plan,” he concluded, convinced Leganés can rediscover its best version.