0-0: 1 point to keep promotion play-offs alive
UD Almería put in the hard yards at the Anduva Stadium to obtain a vital result after a highly competitive match played skillfully with intensity and grit. Now the Rojiblancos depend on themselves to qualify for the promotion play-offs
UD Almería couldn't lose at the Anduva Stadium against a CD Mirandés side that could have secured automatic promotion to the top flight depending on the Matchday results. The mighty Rojiblancos earned a huge point that puts them in their own hands to enter the promotion play-offs. A win over CD Tenerife on Sunday will ensure that they achieve this, even if they draw or lose, but that's based on other scores. The truth is that the the team have taken a giant step forward in their aspirations, and they did so with skill, intensity, hard work, grit and also knowing how to suffer.
Rubi made only one change to the previous Matchday's starting XI; Gonzalo Melero remained on the bench and Pozo was brought on, although not in the same position. The Sevillian played on the right flank, while in the midfield, ahead of Lopy, were Arnau and Arribas, the latter occasionally moving to the left. Léo Baptistão joined Luis Suárez more up front.
UD Almería played a brilliant first half, putting a lot of intensity into their plays, but at the same time operating with restraint and having very clear ideas to keep their opponents, the best home team in the second division, at bay. Although a draw was enough for the guests, they did not speculate at all. Quite the opposite, because they created chances, which came one after another because CD Mirandés needed to overcome their attempt to earn automatic promotion and pushed hard, without hesitation.
In the 16th minute, Fernando responded with a fantastic save to a shot by Izeta, but it was UD Almería who whipped in the greater chances and could have taken the lead. Arnau, Luis Suárez, and Pozo were in the zone. The Almería outfit ended the opening half harassing the hosts' goal.
Rubi, who followed the match from a press box as he had to serve his second and final suspension, left the starting lineup unchanged at the kick-off of the second half. There was possession with skill, extraordinary skill, and thus giving the Jabato team no chance. In the 53rd minute, Luis Suárez almost opened the scoring 0-1.
UD Almería were in control and silenced Anduva at times, something very difficult given the tense atmosphere. In the 62nd minute, there was a scare, a real scare because the home side, from a set-piece, hit the crossbar, which catapulted Miranda de Ebro's formation.
The Rojiblancos were struggling. Rubi brought on Robertone to give more security to the midfield. The clash had changed radically. There were 20 minutes left and anything could happen when it seemed the Indálicos had the situation under control.
If in the first half it was UD Almería who dominated the oppositions' penalty area, in the second half, with the strong support of their travelling fans, CD Mirandés did so, albeit with more sense of danger than clear scoring chances. This was influenced by UD Almería's powerful defensive display, which ended up playing with 3 central defenders to make themselves even stronger at the back.
