Almeria vs Granada CF preview - Barjuan sees positives

New Almeria coach Sergi Barjuan says he was encouraged by what he saw in his first game in charge ahead of the relegation showdown with Granada.

Sergi, who succeeded the sacked Juan Ignacio Martinez after Almeria's 4-1 home defeat to Levante last weekend, had a thankless baptism at the Nou Camp in midweek.

But the former Barcelona defender said he witnessed plenty of fighting spirit in the 4-0 defeat to the league leaders which left Almeria in the Primera Division relegation zone.

"We have options in the fight against relegation," Sergi told the official club website.

"Almeria have been a solid team and this is the way forward.

"I am surprised and happy at the same time (at the way Almeria played at Barcelona) with only two workouts.

"The first two (Barcelona) goals were the result of a quality opponent and the fourth was a product of our tiredness in injury time."

Almeria have not won since a 2-1 success at Cordoba on February 8 and Martinez's short four-month reign came to an end after a seven-game winless run.

Granada are one point and one place behind Almeria in 19th spot and Abel Resino's side have won only once in their last nine games.

El Grana recovered from their 9-1 mauling at Real Madrid last weekend with a 1-1 home draw against Celta Vigo in midweek and Resino says there will be a pressure-cooker atmosphere at Almeria's Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneo on Saturday evening.

"It will be a game of great anxiety because Almeria also need to win this game," Resino told the official Granada website.

"The players are aware it is another game they have to go to the limit because it is against a direct rival.

"We have to be prepared for things that may happen because of their change of coach and we must have cool and calm heads.

"If we lose some of the tension we had against Celta I think we will have very clear chance of winning the game."