1-0: UD Almería lose out to RCD Mallorca's first-half match-winning goal
The Rojiblancos continue to show exciting attacking plays, but lack pinpoint precision. Hosts RCD Mallorca turn their chance into a decider to grab the three points.
UD Almería suffered a slender loss against RCD Mallorca even though Rubi's side deserved much more as they reigned superior, but frittered countless chances away. The hosts took advantage of the few opportunities they created and Maffeo's match-winning header gave his team the victory. Rubi's team tried until the very end, but left the Stadium empty handed.
Head coach Rubi changed the starting XI and the starters compared to the previous match against CA Osasuna as he returned to a 5-2-3 formation, allowing Chumi to join the defence while Lázaro and El Bilal Touré in attack, who would be accompanied by peer Ramazani.
UD Almería started the game generating momentum fully aware of what they wanted to play, with clear ideas and playing in RCD Mallorca's defensive third. It was the Andalusian outfit the ones who created the most effective football plays and kept possesion in those opening minutes with a great participation of link-up duo Lázaro and Ramazani; both were the starters who fashioned the most chances, although lacking pinpoint precision unfortunately.
After the first 45 minutes of constant attacks at the hands of UD Almería, the game fell into a phase without a clear dominant team and a single play would lead to the home team's only-goal of the match. With 24 minutes on the clock, Maffeo's match-winning goal was scored as Chumi failed to complete a clearance by that left the opponent alone to put themselves up front (1-0).
UD Almería put all their energy into finding the best response and cancel that opening goal as quick as posible, yet without success. In fact, in the 38th minute, Muriqui could have made it 2-0, however his strike went high.
Over the course of the second half, Rubi made a change and brought in Arnau Puigmal for Alejandro Pozo, and thus moving Chumi to that flank looking to have Puigmal as a wing-back to boost the squad's offensive options. That substitution worked out since UD Almería had several opportunities at the beginning; the first as soon as it started, Ramazani took advantage of an error in RCD Mallorca's defence and pass the ball to Lázaro who arrived just on time, but his shot went high. Within 49 minutes, Arnau tried his luck from the edge of the box, but his shot also went high over the crossbar. Shortly after, in the minutes 51 and 52, two big chances were created, first by El Bilal with a thumping header and second by Ramazani from outside the area.
In the 61st minute, Melero debuted, a player who walked out onto the pitch with an eye to pile the pressure on the islanders. Sousa was the last Rojiblanco to squander the last chance of the game, inside 96 minutes, the Brazilian controlled the ball inside the box, although he would stay far away to try to beat the host goalkeeper. The islanders' goal was the different when the final whistle was blown (1-0).