1-1: UD Almería snatch draw from the jaws of defeat

UD Almería snatched a valuable one-all draw from the jaws of defeat against direct rivals Elche CF on Matchday 27. The Rojiblancos were trailing 0-1 in the dying embers of the big game, they were reduced to 10 men due to the sending-off of debutant Selvi. The Elicitanos seemed to have the match under control and with that result the Indálicos were left out of the promotion play-offs zone. However, in the 85th minute, a great goal courtesy from Arnau Puigmal after a great cross from Kaiky to levelled it up 1-1, firing UD Almeria into the top-six. They are sitting 6th on the table, 3 points behind the top-two places. The LaLiga Hypermotion table is really congested at the top. 

 

There were some changes to the starting XI that took on Dépor last week with the presence of Kaiky as a centre-back alongside Edgar; Alex Cetelles, on the left wing; Selvi and Robertone paired together as a double pivot; Arribas, with mobility in attack where Lázaro Vinicius did regained a starting spot on the left and the tandem formed by Baptistão and the Segunda tier top scorer Luis Suárez.

 

UD Almería encountered tough rivals and had to go the extra mile in the match. During the opening 45 minutes, Elche CF had more time on the ball and also the best chances, but the saves by Maximiano and the defence prevented the visitors from taking the lead against a home side that lacked greater inspiration when it came to putting together the plays and effectiveness to resolve them. 

 

The 0-0 at the interval was not a bad result, especially when in Almería the best is always yet to come. Rubi changed some pieces in the dressing room and after the restart UD Almería came out lookinging more invigorated and with more grit and determination, however when they were performing at their best they let the opener in 0-1. Cross from the right to the far post and Salinas, coming from behind, controlled the ball, possibly with the help of his hand, and beat Maximiano between the sticks. The head coach began to make substitutions in search of a reaction. First he brought Arnau Puigmal on, benching  Lázaro Vinicius, who faced some fans that booed at him; and then the gaffer replaced Baptistão for Marezi. But the problems continued to pile up because with 75 minutes on the clock, Selvi was sent off after he was brandished his second yellow card in his UD Almería debut. On 79 minutes, Rubi made 2 more changes to the squad, Nico Melamed and Pozo took over Arribas and Robertone's positions.

 

The Sevillian went to the right wing, Marc Pubill moved to the centre of the defence and Kaiky was placed in the midfield, which would be key because he put in a brilliant performance with a spectacular assist to Arnau Puigmal, who connected with a cross shot right into the back of the net. It was 1-1 in the 85th minute. 

 

The fans (11,531 spectators, with 500 travelling Elche CF fans) began to press, and UD Almería, who were going all out to break the deadlock and grab 3 massive points, especially when the referee added 8 stoppage-time minutes. There was no need to go crazy because they were still playing reduced to 10, the point rescued was a good haul based on how things had gone, and to make matters worse, in the 90+6' Maximiano had to keep the Elicitanos out again.