Pablo Orbaiz has warned his Rubin Kazan teammates that Atletico Madrid are capable of turning around their Europa League tie.
Rubin host Atleti this Thursday evening 2-0 up from the first leg played last week at the Vicente Calderon, with the odds now against the Spanish.
Even so, former Athletic Bilbao man Orbaiz [pictured, right] is not taking the advantage for granted.
“The tie is open. Atletico are a very strong team. They won at the weekend 3-0 at Valladolid, who are doing very well this year,” he told reporters this week.
“We have decided nothing. Atletico still has a chance, as they are very powerful. They have always been a big team, but they are now having more ups than downs. Now they are on a roll. We’ll play the same way, pressing around the field.”
Orbaiz netted a second goal for the Russians deep into stoppage time in the first leg.
The 34-year-old scored into an empty net after Sergio Asenjo had been ordered up-field for a corner by Coach Diego Simeone.
“I was surprised by the move, but in the field the stress is at a maximum and sometimes you make better decisions that others.
“I’m not a player accustomed to scoring goals, but then I turned on a light, followed the play and I saw the ball in front of me and I felt I had to give it everything. Luckily I got the ball and scored.
“At my age to have such an opportunity to play with Rubin is a luxury. This chance emerged and I could not pass it up.
“This is a powerful club that can sign important players. They are strong and have the desire to grow.”
