1-3: A Much-needed, deserved and hard-fought win

UD Almería secured a crucial, deserved and hard-earned victory away to SD Huesca, playing with 10 men for over half an hour without it showing. In fact, they looked even better after the red card. The visitors reigned superior for large spells, at times brilliant going forward, though still showing some defensive fragility. However, it was less evident than in previous matches thanks to an outstanding performance from Rodrigo Ely, making his first start. The defender was a true leader at the back, while Arribas and Lopy also delivered exceptional performances. Both got their names onto the scoresheet alongside Léo Baptistão, who was later sent off.

Head coach Rubi made 4 changes to the starting XI from the previous match. Marcos Luna returned at right-back, Rodrigo Ely partnered Bonini in central defence, Dzodic came into midfield and Embarba started on the left wing. Chirino, Nelson Monte, Baba and Jon Morcillo dropped out. The gaffer was looking for a reaction after the defeat in Zaragoza, in a similar scenario: away from home against a side fighting relegation and now under a new head coach, former UD Almería gaffer José Luis Oltra. It was vital for UD Almería to pick up points and keep pushing up the table.

Rubi had called for vertical play and attacking intent, and his team delivered from the start. They dominated possession, took control and created chances with fluid football. Lopy and Arribas dictated the tempo. Embarba tested from distance in the 7th minute, while Baptistão was denied one-on-one in the 9th. A minute later, he made no mistake, scoring the opener after reacting to a rebound from Lopy’s shot following a brilliant individual run by the Senegalese midfielder. Lopy himself nearly doubled the lead inside 18 minutes.

Although the Indálicos looked in control, they had a scare in the 22nd minute when Dani Ojeda equalised for SD Huesca with a strike from the edge of the box, left unchallenged. The visitors responded well and regained the lead in the 33rd minute. Miguel de la Fuente won a penalty, which Arribas converted after a lengthy VAR review.

Despite their control in possession, UD Almería showed some defensive lapses. SD Huesca had a goal ruled out for offside in the 43rd minute and the 9 minutes of added-time before half-time were played largely in UD Almería’s half under pressure. The score remained 1-2 at the break.

In the second half, the hosts' pressing made it difficult for the Rojiblancos to build from the back. With 56 minutes on the clock, Baptistão was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Jorge Pulido, leaving his side with 10 men for the remainder of the match. Despite this, UD Almería handled the situation superbly. They stayed organised defensively and remained bold in attack.

Lopy and Arribas continued to lead the team and in the 73rd minute they combined with Soko to seal the W. Arribas carried the ball forward from deep, switched play to the Cameroonian, whose shot was deflected. Lopy reacted quickest, delicately lifting the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 1-3.

That goal brought calm and confidence, allowing UD Almería to see out the game with authority. It was an excellent team performance and a vital win in a key moment of the season, keeping their ambitions firmly on track.