1-2: UD Almería worthy of victory over Castellón
It was an open game between two evenly-matched sides, although the Rojiblancos, ready to be heard again, displayed an effective game to clinch all 3 points
UD Almería secured their second consecutive victory after displaying a successful game throughout the match against Castellón. It was an open game with the two teams battling it out to find the back of the net, although the Rojiblancos were more effective until the interval to have an edge on their opponents on courtesy of José Corpas. Upon returning from the dressing rooms, Fran Villalba doubled the lead. Despite Castellon fought back into the game aiming to make it 1-2, Almeria were practical to rack up all three points.
José Gomes had already warned during the previous press conference that the starting XI was to be switched up over and over following hectic calendar. Thereby, Aitor Buñuel and Álex Centelles were in charge of defending the left and right wings for a change. Those starters in the last victory against Fuenlabrada were back on the pitch.
It was a neck to neck match during the opening 45 minutes meant to be all square at half-time. So much so that several chances were created in which the opener was about to break the deadlock. Of course, the clearest scoring opportunity of those moments would be for UD Almería; Carvalho stroke the first blow into the box after 17 minutes and a shot from Umar Sadiq grazed the post.
With half an hour gone the script did not change. Castellón and Almería were still determined to put both goalies to the test. Thus, the hosts made sure Makaridze was just ready to make an effort on a corner kick, whilst, shortly after, Samú Costa's hit from the edge missed the goal.
During the final stretch the boys, suited and booted in yellow and purple, seemed to have the ball under control and ended up putting themselves in front (0-1). It was the 42nd minute when José Corpas took advantage of a loose ball inside the area to slam in his fourth goal in just two matchdays.
UD Almería wanted some more action. Upon returning from the dressing rooms, the Almeria team again put intense pressure to produce a new outstanding counter-attack, after a recovery at hands of João Carvalho, in which the ball passed through Corpas, who led, he relied on team-mate Umar Sadiq, yet he did not manage to finish it and the ball ended up in the name of Fran Villalba who was raring to score and rolled it into the back of the net to put his name onto the scoresheet and double their advantage.
Óscar Cano and his side did not give up. It is true that for a few minutes the feeling that the third could be close was feasible. That is exactly when Castellón closed the gap on 61 minutes with a goal from Jorge Fernández.
José Gomes then decided to make a triple substitution. Petrovic, César de la Hoz and Lazo – featuring in the game after his injury – came on for Samú Costa, José Corpas and João Carvalho. Almería reinforced the midfield with these additions to prevent Castellón from continuing to dominate on that part of the pitch.
During the remaining time, both teams showed fighting spirit. The Blanquinegros’ plan to win the match went pear shaped and the adversaries had no choice but admit that Almería put their hearts and souls into the game to secure all three points and enjoy their second consecutive victory.