1-0: Almería achieve a triumph of faith and hope
The Rojiblancos displayed a great second-half creating numerous chances and scoring the winner in the 90th minute
UD Almería’s great second half entailed the achievement of three important points, which bring the team closer to automatic promotion. The Rojiblancos had to find a way to overcome a hard-working Sporting de Gijón. The match was about to come to an end when suddenly César de la Hoz made it 1-0. It was a well-deserved reward for great effort and creating numerous chances.
The Almería’s coaching staff made some changes to the starting XI regarding the visit to Miranda de Ebro with the introductions of Juan Muñoz - who was paired with Darwin - and José Carlos Lazo, on the left wing. In addition, the return of César de la Hoz to the midfield and Iván Martos to the left were other notable changes in the line up.
The first half ended without creating too many scoring chances. However, with five minutes gone, the striker Darwin Núñez was about to finish a José Corpas’ cross. In general, both teams were battling it out aiming to dominate this period. The break came drawing nil-nil. The hosts reacted at the start of the second half when Fran Villalba and Jonathan Silva came on for Juan Muñoz and Iván Martos.
The Rojiblanco team were having a hard time breaking the defensive lines of Sporting de Gijón, who were demonstrating, thanks to their defensive formation, the reasons why they are the second team who conceded the least goals in the Spanish second-tier. Nonetheless, Almería started to have ball possession and, with the exception of a free kick in which Pedro Díaz hit the woodwork, it was UD Almería who were enforcing their presence in the shooting scoring zone.
After 55 minutes the Rojiblancos created goal scoring opportunities. In the first place, Iván Balliu down the right wing failed to find the back of the net as keeper Diego Mariño denied the player. Shortly after, in the 59th minute, the right-back and Fran Villalba teamed up and scored the first goal, but the goal was ruled out by the referee after consulting the VAR.
Almería kept approaching the Asturians’ goal line, although goalie Diego Mariño was responsible for leaving the score unchanged. Specifically, the keeper was again the key for his team in a header by Darwin Núñez. Our players were still looking for a way to exploit half spaces. The backroom staff were forced to make a change in the defence, since David Costas was subbed as he felt some discomfort and had to come off home turf, so that Ibiza came on. In turn, changes were running out, Appiah replaced Lazo.
Almería improved in the second period compared to the first. Not only that, but in the final stretch it was the Rojiblancos who took the initiative. So much so that only Diego Mariño kept the Asturians alive, confirming it with two superb stops to Darwin Núñez, first, and Petrovic, later.
UD Almería were deserving a hard-fought victory. On 90 minutes, a good play by Fran Villalba ended with a cross into the penalty box and César de la Hoz making it 1-0. With a burst of happiness after scoring the winner, the hosts kept the order during injury time so that the final whistle sealed the victory and means an excellent opportunity to close in on automatic promotion spots to the top flight.