1-0: UD Almería defeated in Vigo where the game went downhill
The luckless Rojiblancos were not in the same league as the Celtistas in a vital match. Luka Romero was substituted before half-time due to a dangerous boot to his face; Bruno Langa, who hit the woodwork at 0-0, was sent off in the 64th minute and Léo Baptistão ended up playing through the pain as all the changes were already made. League survival, 15 points away
UD Almería did not know how to rise to the occasion in Vigo. They did not put in the invigorated performances from the previous matches and was never comfortable on the pitch. Everything went downhill. Before the break, Marc Pubill accidentally kicked Luka Romero's face, who was taken out of the pitch on a stretcher. Shortly after, Bruno Langa was sent off with a straight red card. When the team were down to ten men, Celta opened the scoring, but there was no ability to react because the team ended up reduced to nine when Léo Baptistão was injured and played through the pain limping because all the changes had already been made. Another defeat with league safety 15 points away.
Gaizka Garitano picked out the same starting XI that played a brilliant game on the previous Matchday against Atlético de Madrid. If the squad worked well last weekend, there was no need to make new changes, although it is also true that the two goals conceded lacked greater strength, an aspect that has been worked on throughout the week to have more confidence when defending, something that would be key at the Balaídos considering how much was at stake. Some mistakes at the back fueled uncertainty and caused dangerous situations for Maximiano between the sticks.
The opening forty-five minutes saw two teams getting to work trying to unlock each other’s defences. There was no clear dominator and inaccuracies, many inaccuracies... The heavy rain, the high stakes... were factors that could have influenced it. There were moments of this period in which UD Almería took the initiative and passed the ball effectively, although they were not successful when it came to getting ahead nor did they have the clarity of ideas of other matches. When Celta were in charge, the Indálicos did not show the strength that Mr Garitano insists on so much.With 20 minutes on the clock, opponent Bamba, alone against Maximiano, blasted in the opener, but his goal was disallowed for a previous offside.
In the 35th minute, it was Bruno Langa who was close to putting UD Almería in front through a powerful low shot from the edge of the area, which unluckily hit the post. The ball found the left-back again, who finished slightly high. It was the only chance, but very clear. When the first half ended, Maximiano showed good gloves after a header from Douvikas, and Léo Baptistão had to replace Luka Romero, who in a fortuitous play received a kick to his face with the studs of his team-mate Marc Pubill's boot. The Argentinean was forced off the pitch on a stretcher. It was all square at the break (0-0).
In the second period, things would continue to get complicated for UD Almería, who could not initially block the rivals' constant attacks. As the lost momentum, Garitano tried to boost his attacking options and brought on Arribas and Ramazani, replacing Choco Lozano and Embarba; Léo Baptistão operated as a No.9. The thing is that the Bilbao-born coach's intentions were ruined just two minutes later when Bruno Langa was sent off with a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Bamba. It was the beginning of the end for UD Almería, who were not at all comfortable on the pitch. With 73 minutes gone, the score was 1-0 with a shot from the edge of the box courtesy of Mingueza. The Rojiblancos were dominated by the Celeste team and if they did not concede more goals it was thanks to the outstanding performance put in by Maximiano with superb saves.
In the 80th minute, Léo Baptistão was injured, but all the changes had already been made and the Brazilian, despite the pain and limping, decided to stay on the pitch. UD Almería were already down to nine and no options because they did not develop creativity in the final third.
After three back-to-back draws and good vibes, a new defeat was experienced in Vigo. It was a bad day at the office for winless UD Almería.
