Portillo: “Hopefully we can celebrate it in Almería”

Francisco Portillo is one of the heavyweights in the Almería dressing room. The second outfield player with the most starts (36, to De la Hoz’s 37) advocates calm despite the fact that his team is getting closer to his goal. “This category is very competitive and in recent days more so because the rivals play a lot and there is also the external factor, such as the environment. It’s time to have a cool head and think clearly”, says the Malaga midfielder, who is not worried about Valladolid’s triumph in Ipurúa, which caused Almería to be unable to promote in San Sebastián. “There was the possibility that he did not win and by winning we would mathematically be a First Division team, but the script does not change much either. We have to do the same, win and wait. It is time to focus on ourselves and forget about the rivals because We are in a privileged situation and we must finish the job”exposes the ‘8’.

The midfielder does not get wet about whether a win at Anoeta, which would catapult them to 79 units, would give them promotion no matter what happens on Saturday. “I don’t know. The mind is on the three points on Friday and let what happens next happen, forgetting about Saturday or next week. Hopefully we can celebrate it here.”, he affirms, asking to have his feet on the ground. “We have all experienced unimaginable situations, we are close, but nothing is done yet. We need the victory on Friday and from then on whatever has to come. There is calm and tranquilitywe must not think beyond, but rather have our feet on the ground and trust in what we do”, he continues.

“Real B is a competitive rival, with very young players, who want to show that they are having a good year. In the Second Division there are very veteran teams, but they have talent and a great coach. If he goes out to play the ball, it’s good for us. When they play more defensively it is more complicated and I think they will go on the attack for the victory.”explains about Xabi Alonso’s team, while highlighting the atmosphere of the red and white booth. “The mix between youth and veteran is a perfect cocktail because in the end you can’t stick your head out when you’re doing well or sink when you’re doing badly. We have remained in a stable line throughout the year”, expires a Portillo who has one more year left on his contract.

Well, go down this Monday

Rubi recovers Curro Sánchez and Robles, last minute casualties against Amorebieta. Both have trained normally in the Annex. Conversely, they have not exercised Well, with a flu process; neither Ely nor Ramazani, who had to leave injured last Saturday. Both are pending evolution, without yet knowing the diagnosis of their shortcomings. The centre-back, who has been receiving physiotherapy treatment, could return to the group shortly; the winger, for his part, is awaiting the results of the medical tests he has undergone. For his part, Martos and Chumi have already part of the group work and could be discharged during the week.