1-0: UD Almería leave Ipurua Stadium empty-handed

UD Almería are still unable to record a triumph as they extend their winless streak to 8 games. After 3 draws in the last 3 games, they were defeated again by SD Eibar, leaving Rubi's men with very little room for error in the tight race for promotion to the top tier. The Rojiblancos started slow out of the traps, conceded an early opener, and things went downhill from the off. Although they had capacity to react, they were unable to beat their rivals. Not always where there is a will there us a way.

 

Head coach Rubi chose a formation similar to the one he lined up in the previous trip to Gijón, where the Rojiblancos put on an energetic performance and were close to taking all three points. The return of Kaiky, after serving a one-game suspension, served to return to the same system and with practically the same players. Melero and Sergio Arribas were new additions on that occasion, but the game plan that had been worked out did not follow the same script and after 6 minutes everything took a turn for the worse when SD Éibar took the lead through Matheus in a solo play within the box.

 

UD Almería felt the pressure and for 7 minutes were at the mercy of the Armeros, who even scored the 2-0, although the goal was ruled out for offside. The Indálicos began to react to the blow received and began to create danger. In the 23rd minute Marc Pubill shot at goal and the home goalkeeper parried it away it for a corner. When the ball was kicked, Baptistão headed it in, once again the man between the sticks showed his reflexes. 

 

The Indálicos were completely clear due to the attitude and intensity of opponents who handled the ball and the game better. So much so that in the 34th minute, former Rojiblanco Corpas send the ball forward, no one came out to assist him and from the edge of the area he shot across the goal, the ball going off the post. 

 

At the start of the second half Rubi opted to bench Melero and take on Arnau Puigmal. With this change he also modified the system, going to a 4-2-3-1. The intentions were good and in the first minute Luis Suárez headed a cross from the left with clarity, although everything was in favour of the Éibar goalie. UD Almería began to play more on the wings and to be aggressive, showing their claws and grit. 

 

Rubi's men had more possession and initiative, although they were unable to overcome the home side or get ahead. In the 63rd minute, a double substitution. Selvi came on for Edgar, with Kaiky going to the centre of defence, and Marezi for Arribas. The Serbian, within 67 minutes, had a clear chance after a pass from Arnau Puigmal. 

 

Time went down and UD Almería kept trying. In fact, they completely dominated, but they lacked pinpoint precision in attack against organised opponent. UD Almería left the Ipurua stadium empty-handed.