1-2: Another great opportunity missed by Almería
The Rojiblancos took the lead, took for granted the draw and end up paying dearly for it. They were so close to automatic promotion
UD Almería missed another great opportunity to get into automatic promotion after the defeat suffered against Tenerife. The Almerienses started the clash well by taking the lead, but they took for granted the possible 2-0 and ended it paying dearly for it with the subsequent tie. In the final stretch, with the hosts creating big chances, the referee sent Balliu off and this would mean a mismatch that would lead to the final 1-2.
Once again, the meeting started with slight changes in the starting XI. Given the short space of time between games, the coaching staff decided to introduce Petrovic, Fran Villalba - who stood out against Sporting de Gijón - and Jonathan Silva. In addition, Juan Ibiza would be the defender in charge of occupying the absence of David Costas, who got injured in the final stretch of the previous league commitment.
UD Almería appeared at the Juegos Mediterraneos Stadium fully aware of the importance of getting three points. In fact, the best example of this appreciation was that our contenders only needed six minutes to take the lead. In the action of 1-0, José Carlos Lazo recovered the ball in the centre circle and passed it striker Darwin Núñez, who finished with strength and class in the duel within the 18-yard-box.
Tenerife would then go through a few minutes in which the opponents starred in several scoring goal opportunities. However, the defensive approach of Almería was ordered and allowed Fernando not to have to suffer excessively and meant that the hosts created big chances with quick plays at hands of the men high up the pitch.
The red and white counterattacks were putting Tenerife on the ropes. Despite the fact that Rubén Baraja's men had a phase of the first-half in which they controlled the ball up and down the field approaching the opponents goal line many times. So much so that, in the 32nd minute, Darwin Núñez stole the ball at high pressure, cross it to Lazo, but the shot went over the crossbar.
After this great action by Almería, the rivals found the equaliser, since the man in black whistled a penalty in favour of Tenerife because of Fran Villalba’s foul. The person in charge of making it 1-1 on the scoreboard would be Luis Milla with a shot at mid-height, which Fernando was about to stop. In addition to the conceded goal there was also a forced change in the Rojiblancos lineup because Jonathan Silva felt some discomfort and left his place to Iván Martos. In the final stretch of the first period, Corpas made a great play on the right flank before crossing and for Fran Villalba's shot to defeat keeper Ortolá. The break came with both sides drawing.
After the restart, the encounter entered a new phase in which the two second-tier teams tried to create danger. As time began to wind down, it was the Rojiblancos who almost completely enforced their presence on the other side of the pitch. UD Almería footballers were forcing Tenerife to back down by parking the bar and wait for their opportunity. After 80 minutes in which Villalba try to start a 50-50 contest with goalie Ortolá after a good combinatorial move. There were two key actions in the final score. In the first one, the ref awarded Balliu with a red card after a VAR review and in the 92nd minute, that mismatch had just been paid with Barmejo beating Fernando. The rivals fought back to snatch victory during stoppage time. Some of the Almeria players left the pitch with tears rolling down their cheeks as they missed another great opportunity to strengthen their hold onto the top positions.