1-0: Almería one point off automatic promotion after beating Zaragoza
Striker Umar Sadiq stunningly lobs the keeper to inspire Almeria to victory
UD Almería are just one point away from automatic promotion and three from the leadership after stepping back in time and beating Real Zaragoza in the postponed matchday-2 fixture. The Rojiblancos had to play a hard-fought game in which Umar Sadiq’s fine lob sealed a home win. The hosts dug dip throughout the second half until the final whistle. Without a shadow of doubt, Almeria are to face the same number of commitments as their rivals with sheer determination to reach the top two spots in the table before the Christmas break.
Jose Gomes switched the starting XI up once more with eleven changes. On this occasion, Fernando; Aitor Buñuel, Chumi, Cuenca, Centelles, Petrovic, César de la Hoz, Robertone, João Carvalho, Lazo and Umar Sadiq were lined up.
Both sides lacked big chances over the course of the first opening 45 minutes. The two teams tried their hardest aiming to find a way to play someone in near the box, still and all, it seemed that tonight’s goalies had learned their lesson well: my goal is to stop yours. It was all square at the break.
After a disappointing goalless first half, Almeria moved up a gear and took control of the game when Almería’s team coach introduced more speed up front replacing César de la Hoz with goal scorer Jose Corpas. This substitution turned out to be a wise decision. The Rojiblancos looked for the pass to space and the opener. It was the 59th minute when João Carvalho spotted striker Umar Sadiq leaping beyond his marker, next, the Nigerian stunningly lobbed keeper Álvarez from close range. He’s got nerves of steel!
The goal resulted in a greater dominance in red and white colours. In fact, it was not necessary to wait too long to witness the moment in which José Corpas received the ball on the right wing, yet his thumping shot went wide.
The road team were the architects of their own downfall having also gifted Almeria the lead, so that the visitors produced pulsating counter-attacks to take a share of the spoils no matter what. That is when, José Gomes decided to add strength to the midfield bringing on Samú Costa for Robertone.
The home team set their minds to doubling the lead and Lazo was on the verge of achieving the second with a powerful shot that Cristián Álvarez saved.
The final stretch left aside Almeria’s dominance, forcing them to stay deep inside their own half of the pitch to keep the three points at Juegos Mediterraneos. Relief, a mass relief for the lads in red and white in stoppage time, since Fernández did not manage to finish. Of course, with the exception of that action, Almeria’s triumph was not in danger anymore.
Since the defeat against Mallorca, Almería have clinched two consecutive victories in LaLiga SmartBank with hopes of gate-crashing the top two before Christmas.