0-4: Two very different versions of Almería against Espanyol
The Rojiblancos shine during the first-half and enter the second, conceding three goals in twelve minutes
Almería played their second pre-season friendly against who may be a high-potential candidate for promotion to the top-flight within the SmartBank league, Espanyol. Despite the side were relegated to the second-tier, they maintain a top-class squad with players such as Fran Mérida, Embarba, Raúl de Tomas ... The Rojiblancos faced the meeting determined to win, even though the players did not have as much time to train as their opponents, who start the championship in just a week. Nonetheless, Jose Gomes’ men shone in the first 45 minutes, although they faded in the second-half conceding three goals in twelve minutes. José Gomes opted for two different starting XI’s in each half of the game, with the most regular players in the first and with a puzzle in the second.
The Almeria team performed a very good first-half. The Rojiblancos were looking rather confident on the pitch and they certainly played quite well defensively against Espanyol with great potential up front, and little by little they were gaining prominence in attack by showing, at times, criteria and even ability to circulate the ball from player to player until the correct moments arose for the attacking phase. In addition, they created big chances.
On the other hand, during the last 45 minutes, the players who did not usually play during the last campaign jumped on the pitch, and there were also four Almeria B homegrown youngsters in action. Romera played as centre-back and Corpas as a winger again taking the same roles as both of them did against Betis.
Over the course of the second period, in which Espanyol kept their line-up unchanged, the Pericos got the upper hand whereas Almería never felt comfortable on the field of play. In addition, the goals conceded affected negatively, especially when they came consecutively and in a strange way, especially the second one (possible foul on Corpas) and the third scored from midfield.
Soon after the competitors made it 0-4, José Gomes decided to make substitutions to reinforce the squad. Juan Ibiza came on as a centre-back along with Peybernes. In this way, Romera moved to the side and Corpas advanced his position, so the two of them could play in their main positions.
UD Almería: Lluis; Balliu, Maras, Iván Martos, Jonathan Silva; Petrovic, César de la Hoz; Appiah, Lazo, Fran Villalba; and Rubén Enri. René; Corpas, Romera, Peybernes, Fermín; Sergio Aguza, Callejón; Dani Albiar, Chema (Javi Robles, minute 73), Ramazani; and Jean Marco (Juan Ibiza, minute 73) played in the second-half.
RCD Espanyol de Barcelona: Oier; Llambrich (Víctor Gomez, minute 74), Lluís López, Calero (Omar, minute 80), Pujol; Pol Lozano (Jofre, minute 80), Fran Mérida (Álex López, minute 74); Embarba (Vargas, minute 66), Melendo (Darder, minute 46), Wu Lei (Campuzano, minute 66); Raúl de Tomás (Puado, minute 46).
Referee: Peña Valera, from the Andalusian referees committee. He admonished Pujol, from Espanyol. Goals: 0-1 (Minute 43). Raúl de Tomás. 0-2 (minute 55). Wu Lei, with a header. 0-3 (minute 62). Darder, from midfield. 0-4 (minute 67) Campuzano.
Observations: Almería's second pre-season friendly game played at La Quinta Football Fields in Marbella.