1-1: Almería hold on to share the spoils with leaders in pulsating battle
Sadiq’s opener struck the Rojiblancos in front while Makaridze saves a penalty to salvage a point. It was anybody’s game
UD Almería and RCD Espanyol locked horns in a pulsating battle to take a share of the spoils under the Juegos Mediterraneos lights. The Rojiblancos went ahead through Sadiq Umar and shortly after the Catalans gabbed the equaliser (1-1). Keeps Makaridze dived the right way to save a penalty booted by Raúl de Tomás so the Georgian prevented the visitors from breaking the deadlock. After the final whistle, the Indálicos remain third in LaLiga SmartBank standings.
Ager Aketxe was drafted in for tonight’s clash along with goalie Makaridze; Balliu, Maras, Cuenca, Akieme, Samú, Morlanes, Robertone, Lazo and Sadiq Umar.
UD Almería would be one step ahead during the development of the first half. The hosts did not create as many big chances as they wanted. With 28 minutes on the clock, Balliu’s cross put Diego López to the test, who had to make a fine effort to prevent the ball from finding a finisher.
After the match restart, Aitor Buñuel came on for right-back Iván Balliu who was feeling some discomfort during the opening forty-five minutes.
The second period began with the contenders from the South Coast eager to get on the front foot. Lucas Robertone teed up unmarked Sadiq Umar within touching distance of goal to open the scoring.
UD Almería pulled their socks up to take the lead against the current table-toppers from Catalonia, however, their joy did not last long because Raúl de Tomás staged an individual move before Dimata popped up at the far post to put his name onto the scoresheet and cancel out the Nigerian’s opener (1-1).
Both evenly-matched sides scored well-worked goals. The game looked destined for a one-all draw as with 68 minutes gone, R.D.T. fell within the box and the ref awarded the adversaries a penalty. The striker’s spot-kick was well saved by keeper Makaridze to avoid the 1-2 on the scoreboard.
The response in red and white colours would not take too long. Almería started a new attacking build-up play in which Lazo found just enough space to try his luck with a hit from the edge of the area. His intention was good, but a defender got in the way to deflect the ball away from the goal.
Over the last minutes, Almería managed to hold on to share the spoils with leaders Espanyol in a pulsating battle. After the final whistle, Jose Gomes’ boys maintain the third position on 61 points, two above fourth-placed CD Leganés, seven ahead of second-placed RCD Mallorca and ten behind tonight’s rivals.