Match Reports
1-1: An end-to-end friendly against Antequera CF brings pre-season camp 2023 to a close
UD Almería played their last friendly of the pre-season camp in Benahavís and returned to Almería city after 11 days away from home
UD Almería closed out their pre-season camp in Benahavís playing their fourth practice game against Primera RFEF side Antequera CF that served as a good test, since the Málaga-based team opted to play football with former Rojiblancos in action such as Fermín and Chema Núñez. The visitors put in a commanding display throughout the game, although the Indálicos, despite not being able to win the game, had chances to do so. This match helps them draw satisfactory conclusions for the future, apart from the fact that their game improved compared to the match against Málaga CF.
Head coach Vicente Moreno gave more minutes to certain players with the likes of Mariño, Pozo, Kaiky, Edgar and Samú playing the full 90 minutes. The gaffer returned to the 4-2-3-1 system with which his squad already played against CP El Ejido and UD Las Palmas. They are tests to find the best football tactics for the coming league.
During the first half, Antequera CF bossed things against a solid UD Almería defence, rolled the ball effectively in the midfield and looked for the opposite goal with confidence, having a few more chances apart from the opener converted by Luis Suárez in the 14th minute after a quick transition from the team. The Colombian beat the visiting goalkeeper on a one-on-one duel. It was an end-to-end period that ended with the opponents trailing 1-0.
As usual in recent friendlies, UD Almería's starting XI remained unchanged at the beginning of the second half and unlike in previous games, the head coach gave the players minutes by making substitutions in stages. In this second half, UD Almería reigned superior and took more of the initiative in the game with positional football with which they whipped in some scoring chances, however, they did not succeed in doubling their lead.
Despite the clear dominance of the Rojiblancos, it was Antequera CF who levelled things with an equaliser from Topo, who took advantage of a loss of the ball as the Indálicos defence missed it. With a one-all draw, the fourth pre-season friendly was concluded.
Match information:
UD Almería: Marino; Pozo, Kaiky, Chumi (68' Eguaras), Akieme (Centelles. 74'); Édgar, Samú Costa; Ramazani (Rojas. 74'), Robertone, Embarba (Lázaro. 60'); and Luis Suárez.
Antequera CF: Eric; David Rodríguez, Joel, Pavón, Fermín; Tom Lanzini, Nacho País, Luismi Redondo; Dalton, Ale Garcia, and Loren Buron. Iván Moreno, David Humanes, Marcelo, Chema Núñez, Michael, Fomeyen, Ale Marín, César Souza, Destiny, Topo.
Goals: 1-0 (14') Luis Suárez finished off a quick transition for the Rojiblancos and beat the rival goalkeeper. 1-1 (82') Topo, after a loss of the ball.
Referee: Luis Mario Milla, from the Andalusian referees committee. He booked Samú, Édgar and Robertone from UD Almería, as well as Joel, from Antequera C.F.
Observations: UD Almería's fourth pre-season friendly played at the La Quinta Football Center facilities. After the match, UD Almería put an end to their training camp in Benahavís and returned to Almería city.
