Gaizka Garitano: "We must win the game against Celta de Vigo"

UD Almería head coach Gaizka Garitano does not hesitate to stress that this Friday's encounter against Celta de Vigo (KO 9pm Spanish Time) at the Abanca Balaídos Stadium 'is key because the opponents sit just above the relegation zone and if we want to feel alive in the league, it's through this encounter. It's a game that we must win and we'll go into the game with that intention.'

The UD Almería gaffer made these statements during the pre-Vigo press conference in which he explained that in case of winning 'We'd put ourselves 3 games away from safety with 11 Matchdays to go. We'd see things in a different way.' The Rojiblancos have not won after 26 league games, although they deserved better results considering the good performances. In the last three meetings, they have not lost and have shared the spoils three times with Athletic Club de Bilbao, Granada CF and Atlético de Madrid. 'We're improving and competing well, indicated the Basque Country native. We work to play a good game and win it because if we want to fight for survival, everything involves picking up the three points in Vigo.'

The tension will be naturally high for a game with so much at stake. The next rivals would also take a huge step in their aspirations. Mr Garitano believes that the Vigo side will think that they are playing at home and against the bottom team and victory cannot escape them, but as he stated 'We have to know play the mini-matches that will be within the match itself.' He once again insisted on the defensive solidity as one of the aspects to take into account because 'conceding two or three goals per game it's impossible to move forward.”

Many Galician adversaries will miss out on the involvement in the game. When asked about it, the Bilbao-born responded: 'There's no doubt that Iago Aspas is important to them, as other players may also be... but they have players capable of substituting to give confidence. They'll be a good squad. Plus, they have a great head coach with great experience.' 

Respecting Celta de Vigo as much as possible, the UD Almería head coach had very clear that 'We have to worry more about ourselves, about doing well. The players know that winning in Vigo would be our way to stay alive. It'd provide us with an air of hope.' Although Garitano recognises that 'We have few points in the table,' he also reflected: 'Our adversaries aren't adding a lot and to secure league safety, it won't be necessary to have so many points.'