2-1: Slick UD Almería defeat Cádiz CF in fifth pre-season friendly
Brilliant match against a top tier team. Arnau and Lazo scored in either half. The Cadistas found the net in stoppage time
UD Almería passed the test against top-tier side Cadiz CF with flying colours at the Marbella Football Center in their fifth pre-season friendly game. The Rojiblancos were tactically savvy and continue to grow in this summer’s action. They doubled their advantage with goals from Arnau Puigmal and Lazo and even were close to extend their lead. The Cadistas found the net in stoppage time.
Head coach Rubi picked a starting XI totally different from the one that faced Málaga CF the previous afternoon, although with the same tactical awareness, playing out from the back as well as showing fluidity in their game to find the way to the goal. The four summer signings were in action among the rest of Rojiblancos who pressured and slowed down the Primera Division opponents’ attacks. Keeper Makaridze was forced into a smart stop after 27 minutes.
Despite the UD Almeria team showed excellent triangular movements and brilliant ball circulation, some losses of the ball prevented them from slamming in the third. The Indalicos were soon firing warning shots of their own down the other end. With 15 minutes on the clock, Arnau Puigmal made it 1-0 in an outstanding play. Maraš found Sadiq from distance, who rushed towards the box, crossed in and Portillo provided an assist for Arnau’s opener who beat the Cadista goalkeeper. UD Almeria were leading at the break (1-0).
Rubi kept the starting line-up unchanged on the field in the second half and only made three changes later on. Although Cádiz CF started strong creating a big chance in the first minute, UD Almería were again outplaying their adversaries, even more than they did in the first period. The Rojiblancos kept their adversaries at bay in the defensive third, they moved the ball with quality and vertical passes with intensity... 18 minutes after the restart, Lazo, from the edge of the area, sent an unstoppable thunderbolt in the top corner. Spectacular.
UD Almería put in a commanding performance attacking getting in behind. So much so that within 78 minutes, Ramazani was close to making it 3-0 but the Cadistas fought back and scored their first goal courtesy of Osmajic’s header (2-1).
Match facts:
UD Almería: Makaridze; Juanjo Nieto, Maraš, Iván Martos, Alex Centelles; César de la Hoz, Arnau Puigmal (Samú Costa, 66’), Curro Sánchez; Portillo (Ramazani, 66’), Sadiq and Lazo (Appiah, 80’).
Cádiz CF: Juan Flere, Iza, Marcos Mauro, Fali, Arzamendia, Jose Mari, Jonsson, Perea, Salvi, Chapela and Choco Lozano. Alex Fernández, Akapo, Negredo, Pacha Espino, Osmajic, Alarcón and Juan Cala also played.
Referee: Juan Peña Varela, from the Andalusian Committee. He booked César de la Hoz from UD Almería, and Pacha Espino from Cádiz CF.
Goals: 1-0 (15’): Arnau Puigmal, inside the box after a brilliant play started by Maraš and continued by Sadiq and Portillo. 2-0 (63’): Lazo scored in the top corner from outside the area. 2-1 (92’): Osmajic, headed after a cross from the right wing.
Observations: Fifth pre-season friendly game for UD Almería played at the Marbella Football Center.