1-1: Almería do not give up versus Mirandes, but had to settle for a draw
Corpas’ spot-kick salvages a point for the Rojiblancos. Heavy rain in the second half made the game difficult
UD Almería did not give up at any time over the ninety minutes at the Anduva stadium, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw that gives them a hard-fought point. The Rojiblancos grabbed an equaliser to cancel out Mirandés’ opener and went all out for a victory in an evenly matched encounter with plenty of duels to gain control. The heavy rain falling during the second half complicated the visitors' attempts at goal to take all three points in Miranda de Ebro.
Jose Gomes decided to ring the changes this time, so the Portuguese head coach chose to set his side up in a different formation including three central defenders. Makaridze; Aitor Buñuel, Maraš, Cuenca, Ivanildo, Akieme, Samú, Morlanes, Corpas, Robertone and Sadiq Umar were named in the starting XI.
It was a fast-paced match in the first minutes. UD Almería were the side that enjoyed the first clear chance through a Maraš header to which keeps Raúl Lizoaín responded in a sensational way. The Indalicos were close to scoring the opener, yet a few moments later they ended up conceding. A defensive error enabled opponent Berrocal to volley home a free-kick booted by peer Victor Gomez (1-0).
With CD Mirandes on the front foot, UD Almería gradually took over ball possession until the arrival of the tie. Before drawing level, Sadiq Umar advanced into space reaching the box; he even managed to dribble the goalie, but unfortunately a defender avoided the goal under sticks. It was then when the 34-miute equaliser came. The ref awarded the Rojiblancos a penalty that skipper José Corpas converted from 12 yards (1-1).
Already in the second half, the UD Almeria gaffer decided to break the line of five defenders bringing on Lazo and Juan Villar for Maraš and Samú Costa to trouble the Northerners.
The second forty-five minutes began in a similar way to the last minutes before half-time in which the visitors made their presence known in the shooting third. Lizoaín denied Corpas’ cross-shot and soon after, he also made a key save to prevent Lazo’s effort at goal
The heavy rain made it really difficult for Almeria to play on the Anduva’s turf. The Rojiblancos in their third kits did not give up at any time and were throwing everything at it. They had a greater presence in the scoring zone, however there was no occasion to break the deadlock. UD Almeria had to settle for a 1-1 draw and fly back home with a hard-fought point in their pockets to remain third despite the results achieved by their direct rivals this weekend.