Granada CF vs Cordoba C.F. preview - Nyom: Cordoba won't be pushovers

Posted Friday, May 08, 2015 by PA

Granada defender Allan Nyom is certain that doomed Cordoba will not "gift" his side the three points in Saturday's Andalusian derby.

Cordoba were mathematically relegated to the Segunda Division last week after losing 8-0 to Barcelona, and Granada could join them if they fail to win at the Nuevo Los Carmenes and other results go against them.

And Nyom does not think Granada's neighbours will be willing to grant them any favours this weekend.

"The game won't be easy at all," he told reporters.

"Cordoba may be already relegated, but they are not going to gift us the victory. We need to put in a good performance, really go after Cordoba and put in a proper display so we can get the win."

Nyom also said his team had been lifted by the arrival of new coach Jose Ramon Sandoval, who enjoyed an ideal first game in charge last week, guiding them to a 2-1 win at Getafe.

"He is asking us to play nicer football, to have a lot of the ball, to attack a lot and be bold," said the Cameroon international on Sandoval, who avoided relegation with Rayo Vallecano three years ago.

"A few days ago people thought we were dead but we are still alive and if we beat Cordoba we will be back in the fight to stay in the Primera Division."

Granada have several injury concerns going into the game, with Ruben Rochina, Juan Cala and top scorer Youssef El Arabi all missing training during the week, although the three players are expected to recover in time to face Cordoba, but Jeison Murillo and Eddy Silvestre are ruled out through injury.

Cordoba loanee Bruno Zuculini is unavailable after returning to parent club Manchester City to treat a knee injury, while Iago Bouzon is also injured.

Midfielder Luso gave a brutally honest assessment of his team's disappointing showing this season in a press conference this week, but also promised his side would try and salvage their dignity in their three remaining games in the top flight.

"We have to stand up, be honest and recognise that we haven't won even one game in the second half of the season, we haven't been good enough and we are the ones responsible for that," he said.

"We have to go out to win every game, give a good showing of ourselves and make sure we don't distort the competition."