Muñoz admits Almería 'weren't giving 100%' as squad backs El Assy's criticism
Almería defender Álex Muñoz reveals recent turnaround came after CEO's wake-up call, with Copa del Rey clash against Ceuta marking the turning point for promotion hopefuls.
Almería finally appear to be turning the corner after weeks of uncertainty, with defender Álex Muñoz openly acknowledging the squad hadn’t been performing at full tilt.
Turning point identified
The left-back has pinpointed the Copa del Rey clash against Ceuta as the watershed moment that’s sparked Almería’s recent revival. After a nightmare run through December and January, the team has found some much-needed form with back-to-back victories.
“The first 30 minutes we’ve played in the last two matches are something we haven’t managed for quite some time,” Muñoz explained, highlighting the improved intensity that’s been evident in recent performances.
However, the defender admits the team still struggles with adversity, particularly when conceding. There’s a psychological hurdle to overcome, with past failures creating uncertainty when things go pear-shaped on the pitch.
Backing the gaffer
Muñoz was quick to defend manager Rubi, who faced serious stick during their poor run of results. It’s the age-old story in football – manager takes the blame first, then players, finally the sporting director – but the squad appears firmly behind their coach.
“He’s doing great work,” insists Muñoz, crediting the professionalism of the coaching staff while acknowledging every team faces rough patches during a campaign.
CEO’s criticism validated
Perhaps most tellingly, Muñoz didn’t shy away from endorsing CEO Mohamed El Assy’s recent criticism of the squad. The chief exec had expressed his disappointment with the team’s application during their worst moments – and Muñoz fully agrees.
“I think he was right because the team wasn’t competing at its maximum level,” admitted the former Las Palmas man with refreshing honesty.
The wake-up call clearly worked, with Muñoz revealing: “Two weeks ago, for whatever reason, the team decided enough was enough and we were convinced we’d beat both Ceuta and Cádiz.”
Looking ahead
With Andorra next on the agenda, Muñoz has warned his teammates about the challenge posed by their possession-heavy opponents. There’s a determination not to allow visitors to dominate at their ground.
For the promotion-chasing Andalusians, the challenge now is maintaining this newfound intensity for full 90-minute performances – and throughout the remainder of the season as they aim to bounce straight back to the top flight.