Rubén Albés: “is the day to try to turn this situation around”

C.D. Leganés head coach Rubén Albés appeared Thursday at the press conference ahead of the Pepineros’ match on Friday (8:30 p.m.) against Córdoba C.F. at Ontime Butarque Stadium, as part of Matchday 10 of LALIGA HYPERMOTION 2026/27.

The Blue-and-White coach offered the following assessment of the team’s current situation ahead of the match:

Workweek: “When I spoke of the past, I was referring to the game in Castellón. When something happened in that game, it really affected us moving forward. We’ve discussed it. The squad is aware of that; we know games last ninety minutes, and we’ve been able to handle it. That can’t affect us that much; I’m focused on the present and the future.”

Personal State: “I’m feeling very strong and really eager. I’m working toward tomorrow’s game, conveying that energy to the players—energy comes first—and I can’t wait for the match to start.”

Absences: “Marvel, due to suspension. Peña is back, and we have a few question marks.”

Key Match: “This is an important moment. When you’re coming off a streak of poor results and bad matches, you have to turn things around now. It’s a day to try to turn this situation around. We’ve had good training sessions, with good energy.”

Lack of Defensive Reliability: “We’ve been thinking about aspects related to our play; you’ll see that tomorrow.”

How the team is doing: “I’ve sensed, after we were hit twice, that we don’t want a third time. We don’t want that to happen. We’re aware that in Almería we weren’t able to compete once we conceded the goal, and we have to change that now. Tomorrow is our first chance to do so.”

A team that creates few chances offensively: “At home, we’re fourth in terms of chances created. We have to find a balance between attack and defense, improve in both areas. We have to accept that we haven’t been playing well, take responsibility, and try to find ways to improve. I’m primarily responsible for getting the team to play one way or another.”

Mental state: “We came out competing—not brilliantly—but not much was happening against a good opponent. I didn’t think a single goal would affect us, but when we conceded, we completely fell apart. If we fall apart, we’ll concede four. We need to keep things simple; in the end, it’s the result of falling apart in a game and having no chance in the remaining time. Whether we score or concede, we have to keep playing the same way, and from there we’ll have a chance to win the game. That’s the message.”

Back to Ontime Butarque: “I always want to play at home. So far, the whims of the schedule have meant we’ve played six games on the road and three at home. We’ve earned 66% of our points at home, and hopefully tomorrow we can pick up more points at home.”

Córdoba: “We’re focusing on ourselves, knowing what they’re capable of. We’ve been able to identify their strengths and weaknesses, but we have to focus on our own performance to steer the match in the direction we want—regardless of who we’re playing or who’s visiting us. They’re an attacking team, with a lot of pace, brave, and capable of winning. They don’t play it safe. We have to know how to manage those moments and adapt to phases where they’re better and phases where we’re better.”

Message: “I believe in the players. I have enough experience in this division to know that we have plenty of room for improvement. Things aren’t always simple or follow a linear path. Sometimes there are rough patches, and that’s why I’m here—to find solutions and communicate them. The team believes. And if we give it our all, the fans will be behind us until the very end.”

Must-Win Game: “We’re going to give it our all to win. I’ll do everything in my power, and so will the players. The fans will create a positive atmosphere to help us win, too. It’s soccer. Few people will want to win this game more than we do.”

Morata: “I’m not going to talk about specific players—not Morata, Luca, Atienza, Tejero… This is a team effort, and that’s how we’re going to move forward.”

Coming home: “Like a dopamine rush.”Changing the goalkeeper: “I’ve considered changing every position in the starting lineup, but I’m not going to say which ones will or won’t change. When you have two bad games, you evaluate absolutely everything—where the team can improve—not based on individual performances, but on the overall picture.

”Possible change in formation: “We’re going to change a few things, but every player always talks about what he thinks is best for himself. That’s logical. There has to be someone who makes decisions based on what’s happening on the field. There will be some adjustments, but that’s all.”