Match Reports
1-0: UD Almería's pre-season campaign ends in good heart
The Rojiblancos narrowly defeated future LaLiga EA Sports rivals Granada CF. Luis Suárez was in form in front of goal and scored the winner penalty inside 45 minutes. The Rojiblancos went close to doubling their lead
UD Almería closed out their pre-season campaign with a narrow victory and in good heart over future league rivals Granada CF and getting good vibes ahead of the official competition. The Rojiblancos shone, at times, with good tactics and they even had many chances to have doubled their lead. Vicente Moreno had stated that if the pre-season preparations were accompanied by winning games, much better.
The UD Almería head coach opted for a 4-2-3-1 system with Mariño in goal; Pozo, Chumi, Édgar González and Akieme in defence; double pivot Samú Costa and Robertone; a line of three attackers ahead formed by Lázaro, Ramazani and Embarba. Luis Suárez operated as a No. 9.
From the get go, UD Almería put in a commanding display. They kept their rivals at bay, reigned superior in the midfield and created danger showing effective teamwork. In the 4th minute, Lázaro was about to open the scoring with a header, but the visiting goalkeeper clawed his effort away. After 12 minutes, Luis Suárez failed to to finish off a cross from Embarba but his touch let him down in front of goal. Soon after, the same duo repeated the same play on 39 minutes that was ruled offside.
UD Almería were solid at the back, pressed after lossing the ball and put in a committed display. The defenders looked confident, the midfield seemed safe with Robertone and Samú Costa in action. There was quality with Lázaro and Ramazani while Suárez gave everything up front. A block with clear ideas.
With 45 minutes on the clock, a penalty was converted by Luis Suárez. Shortly before, Kaiky replaced Chumi, who suffered a severe blow, who will not have negative consequences.
UD Almería remained the same on the pitch at the beginning of the second half. 8 minutes after the restart, Luis Suárez dribbled past, won the ball back, faced the goalie from Granada and instead of trying to beat him within the box, the Colombian delivered it to Ramazani, but a defender went ahead of the action and prevented the 2-0.
As the time began to wind down under the Power Horse Stadium lights, the Indálicos lost momentum since their legs were weary. The pre-season campaign is being hard and on top of that, the rivals from the same tier now, were highly demanding on the south coast.
Inside 69 minutes, Pozo was subbed due to muscle fatigue. Vicente Moreno, who had decided to leave the starting XI unchanged, began to make changes to the bench from minute 75 with a triple change; in the 85th minute, there were four new players on the pitch. Within 93 minutes, Kaiky hit the post with a header after a free-kick taken by Alex Centelles. Mariño and Édgar, first as a centre-back and then as a holding midfielder, played the full 90 minutes.
Luis Suárez's winner penalty gave UD Almería a success ended the friendlies on an upbeat note following a pair of draws and a defeat against off-season opponents.
Match information:
UD Almería: Mariño; Pozo (Mendes, 69'), Chumi (Kaiky, 44'), Édgar, Akieme (Alex Centelles, 74'); Robertone (Marcos Peña, 83'), Samú Costa (Babić, 74'); Lázaro (Marciano, 74'), Ramazani (Gui, 83'), Embarba (Appiah, 83'); and Luis Suárez (Marezi, 83').
Granada CF: André Ferreira, Miguel Rubio, Víctor Meseguer, Ricard, Miquel, Carlos Neva, Sergio Ruiz, Melendo, Bryan, Samu and Uzuni. Callejón, Víctor Díaz, Gerard Gumbau, Bodiger, Perea, Petrovic and Soro also got minutes in their legs.
Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez, from the Murcia referees committee. He sent off Gumbau with a straight red card in the 73rd minute for a challenge on Robertone. He also booked host Robertone and visitor Petrovic.
Goal: 1-0 (45'). Luis Suárez, penalty.
Observations: Fifth and last pre-season game for UD Almería played at Power Horse Stadium in front of 7,810 spectators.
