José Alberto: Racing grind out ugly win over Burgos but boss insists improvement is needed
Racing Santander boss José Alberto was relieved but honest after a hard-fought win over Burgos CF on the club's 113th anniversary. Here's the full recap.
Racing Santander picked up a vital three points against Burgos CF, but manager José Alberto was in no mood to paper over the cracks — this was a win built on grit, not glamour.
A Special Day, A Scrappy Win
The match fell on Racing’s 113th anniversary, which gave the occasion a proper feel-good backdrop. And the result — three points in front of their own fans — was the perfect gift, even if the performance was far from pretty. José Alberto was refreshingly straight about it all, acknowledging the team “suffered” to get over the line.
The opening 15 minutes were apparently decent enough, but after that Racing lost their way — struggling to win the ball back, create chances, and keep possession. Burgos gave them a proper game of it.
Where It Went Wrong (And Right)
- Racing were sloppy in midfield, with too many giveaways after a bright start
- Burgos had their moments and genuinely tested the hosts
- The back line held firm when it mattered, which José Alberto was keen to credit
- The gaffer pointed out that in previous seasons, games like this would’ve ended in dropped points
That last bit is worth dwelling on. There’s something to be said for a side that can dig in and nick wins even when they’re well below their best. It’s not always pretty, but it’s the sort of bottle that gets you promoted.
The Numbers Game
Racing have now hit 50 points, and José Alberto has already set the next target: get to 60 as quickly as possible. That kind of clear-eyed ambition from the dugout is exactly what you want to hear — no messing about, just eyes on the prize.
Next Up: Castellón
The boss sounded genuinely fired up about the upcoming clash with Castellón, describing them as a direct rival and predicting a big game. He had no doubts his squad would be motivated for it — and given what’s at stake in the promotion race, you’d expect nothing less.
Room to Improve
For all the satisfaction of the win, José Alberto was clear-eyed about what needs fixing:
- Racing need to rediscover their attacking fluency
- The defensive discipline was top drawer, but that can’t become their entire identity
- He’s confident the good football will return — the squad has the tools
Honest self-assessment from a manager who knows his side can do better. The three points are banked, the anniversary is celebrated, and now it’s back to the grindstone ahead of a crucial week.