0-0: Athletic Club held to goalless stalemate in Almería
The Rojiblancos, despite being down to 10 men from the 52nd minute, came closest to winning. Marezi hit the woodwork in the 89th minute. The team were class and confident defending against mighty Athletic Club de Bilbao
UD Almería could have won the match, but they could also have lost it. It seems cliché, but it is the reality. In the 86th minute, a point against Athletic Club when they were reduced to 10 men, seemed to be fair enough since opponent Raúl García crashed a ball into the post. With 89 minutes on the clock, with Marezi's chance denied by the woodwork, there was that feeling that has haunted UD Almeria since the 2023/24 season kicked off with another squandered opportunity.
Several significant changes were made to the starting XI. January transfer window's recruit Radovanović made his UD Almería debut. In the midfield, Baba took Melero's place, while Choco replaced suspended Léo Baptistão. In addition, it is relevant to mention that Edgar returned to the axis of defence as a centre-back.
In the opening exchanges, both teams looked well organised with fighting spirit, showing defensive solidity and avoiding dangerous plays that could end in goals. Moving the ball with fluidity became a difficult task and scoring opportunities were scarce for much of the first forty-five minutes, however, after the first third of the match, Athletic stepped up a gear and the first clear scoring opportunities began to emerge. Among them, a powerful header from Paredes stood out, coming off a corner, which seemed destined to find the back of the net, but was blocked thanks to a superb save by Luis Maximiano, which could become the best save of Matchday 24 as he stretched until he reached the ball to deflect it.
The visitors from Bilbao dominated play throughout the last minutes of the first half, yet it would be UD Almería who whipped in the last big chance before the break. Choco headed in after a great cross from team-mate Pubill. His shot was planned away by Unai Simón who was well positioned between the sticks. Some positive signs but both teams were deadlocked at half-time (0-0).
The second half did not start well at all for the Indálicos since Ramazani received his marching orders after being shown the second yellow card in the game, and thus reducing the offensive capacity of the hosts. From that moment on, the Rojiblancos were forced to adopt a defensive approach, concentrating on maintaining the score nil-nil and trying their hardest to surprise on the counter-attacks. That was the game plan.
Athletic piled forward on the attack, but lacked pinpoint precision, which allowed Garitano's 10-man squad to clear all the balls fired by the Basque Country outfit. Both sides reserved the clearest opportunities for the final stretch of the match. The visitors struck first with a strike booted by Raúl García that hit the post within 86 minutes.
Just three minutes later, Marezi missed an incredible chance for UD Almería to celebrate their first victory, in an epic situation that took place almost in added time. It was the perfect script to earn three points in one go for the first time this season. Unfortunately, his shot was denied by the woodwork. What a shame!
UD Almería are unable to break their hoodoo as they remain winless one more match week despite plucking up the courage against opponents of enormous potential on the South coast.
