Sporting de Gijón head coach Borja Jiménez has described his team’s upcoming Segunda División fixture against Córdoba as a “final,” emphasizing the urgent necessitate for three points to keep their playoff hopes alive. Speaking in a press conference at the Mareo training facility on Friday, April 24, 2026, Jiménez stressed that the match at the Nuevo Arcángel stadium represents a critical juncture in the season.
“Vamos con la sensación de que es una final, necesitamos los tres puntos,” Jiménez stated, according to verified reports from local media outlets covering the event. “Estamos en una situación que nos exige sumar de tres. Si a falta de cinco jornadas quedas a nueve puntos, es muy utópico pensar que no van a hacer cinco puntos el resto.”
The Sporting manager confirmed that the kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Local time on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Córdoba’s Nuevo Arcángel venue. He acknowledged the challenges of playing away from home but expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to secure a vital victory.
Jiménez referenced recent away performances, noting that whereas results have not favored the team on the road, the underlying performances have been solid. “Perdimos en Santander y merecimos ganar, perdimos en Burgos y no lo merecimos. También en Las Palmas y Andorra. Necesitamos rematar los partidos que estamos haciendo fuera de casa. Pero no distan mucho de los partidos en casa. El equipo fuera de casa se está mostrando sólido. No acompañan los resultados, pero sí el juego,” he explained.
Regarding the tactical approach, Jiménez indicated that while the Córdoba fixture presents unique challenges due to the opponent’s vertical style, the team remains focused on executing their game plan. He contrasted the upcoming match with the previous week’s encounter against Cádiz, highlighting differences in venue and opposition tactics.
The coach also addressed the timing of the match, expressing a preference for the 2:00 p.m. Slot over later afternoon starts due to anticipated heat conditions in Andalucía. “Prefiero las 14 horas que a las 16 horas. Nos vamos a encontrar calor por las fechas en Andalucía a estas horas. Pero a jugar y a ganar,” Jiménez said with a smile.
Jiménez framed the broader context of the season’s final stretch, declaring that Sporting de Gijón faces six decisive matches remaining, each carrying significant weight in the playoff race. “Quedan seis finales. Buscamos que la semana que viene estemos en esta misma rueda de prensa con energía y sensación de que todavía podemos,” he asserted.
He further elaborated on the standings implications, noting that a draw would leave the team with 68 points, which he characterized as insufficient given the competitive nature of this year’s playoff race. “Empatar solo nos permitiría hacer 68. El play-off este año va a ser caro. No podemos especular. Ni unos ni otros. Se necesita ganar. Estamos muy lejos los dos equipos, a 8 y 9 puntos. Ambos necesitamos ganar,” Jiménez emphasized.
The Sporting de Gijón coach dismissed concerns about external factors influencing performance, insisting that the team’s focus remains solely on securing the necessary points through strong performances. “No podemos especular,” he reiterated, underlining the urgency of the situation.
Jiménez concluded by affirming the squad’s determination to approach the Córdoba match with the intensity required to turn their season around, stressing that belief and effort must translate into tangible results on the pitch.
The club’s next official update will come following the conclusion of the match against Córdoba on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Local time.
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