Almeria vs Espanyol preview - Dubarbier hoping for winning start

Posted Saturday, August 23, 2014 by PA

Almeria defender Sebastian Dubarbier believes his side are better prepared for the new Primera Division season than they were this time last year.

The Andalusians took their time to adapt to being back in the top flight last term, needing 10 league games to pick up their first win.

The club eventually improved and avoided relegation on the final day of the season, but Dubarbier is certain things will be easier this time around and is looking forward to the first game of the new campaign at home to Espanyol.

"During the pre-season we've laid down the foundations to start the season well," said the Argentinian.

"We've gained in experience and our coach has been able to strengthen the squad and work well on the team, and now we have a more complete squad."

"We've got a lot of expectations and we can't wait for Saturday's game with Espanyol to arrive."

Latest signing Thievy Bifouma could make his debut for Almeria after joining the Andalusian club on loan from Espanyol, but coach Franciso Javier Rodriguez has expressed concerns about the player's fitness levels and the French-Congolese forward has also declared he is not yet ready to play 90 minutes.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference, Rodriguez said he expects Espanyol to evolve their style of play under new coach Sergio Gonzalez, a former Pericos player gearing up for his first foray into top-flight management now that Javier Aguirre has left the club to take charge of the Japan national team.

"I'm sure that with Sergio they will play their football in a different way to what we've been used to in the last two years," said Rodriguez.

"Our preparations have focused primarily on how we're going to play and then how we're going to counteract the good football that Espanyol will try and play. We know what we have to do."

Espanyol have kept the same nucleus from last season's squad and added five new players all very familiar with the Primera Division, including Ecuador striker Felipe Caicedo, who has returned to Spain after spending the last two seasons with Lokomotiv Moscow and Abu Dhabi side Al Jazira.

However, defender Hector Moreno is still recovering from breaking his leg during the World Cup and is not expected to return to action until December.