Akieme: "We can keep up the same high level of performance as against Girona FC'"
The UD Almería left-back highlights the team's mental toughness, aims to take advantage of Real Madrid's fixture overload and calls for the fans' confidence: 'We're in the Primera Division. We have to believe and not throw in the towel.'
UD Almería left-back Sergio Akieme spoke to the Club's official media and assessed the team's current position in the table, the next fixture against Real Madrid CF and made it clear that the situation can still be reversed. Regarding the next opponents, the Rojiblanco stated: 'We're focusing solely on preparing Sunday's game. We want to boost the good vibes and achieve the first victory. We're very eager to turn things around and to do so, we must start now.'
The match against the Blancos will be held at 4:15pm local time on Sunday, but prior to that test, Real Madrid CF will have to play the Spanish Cup tie against arch-rivals Atlético de Madrid. Given this fact, Akieme highlighted: 'It's always difficult to face Real Madrid CF, but if we can choose, then the fact that they'll go into the game with that physical strain and fixture overload is good for us. We'll try to arrive fresher and take advantage of this opportunity.' He also pointed out: 'We have to believe that we can do it and from there, be the same version of ourselves that we displayed in the last game against Girona FC since it certainly was one of the games we've played best to date. This can only be achieved with efforts that eventually bear fruit and we're improving defensively.'
The Madrid-born left-back continued betting on the team's good performance at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. 'We can keep up the same high level of performance as against Girona FC, who are the best team in LaLiga so far. They create a lot of chances, they're the top scoring team, but we knew how to defend and match their intensity. We have to realise that we're capable of doing well against anyone. We must be aware and redeem ourselves, we're in the top tier. We earned promotion together and we continue to stick together through thick and thin. We have to believe and not throw in the towel. Our goal is to get people involved and make them believe that it's still possible,' he added.
'The points we've got come from the results we've obtained... perhaps we deserved more, however, at the end of the day, the goals and results find your place in the table. We have to fight so as to reverse the situation,' the 26-year-old defender stressed.
To conclude, Akieme sent a message to the UD Almería 12th Man: 'I receive many positive messages from the fans when they run into me on the streets, they tell me that they trust me.' He also stressed: 'They have the right to stop believing or questioning, it's their hometown team, but they're actually behaving very well and are encouraging us enormously.'