2-0: UD Almería pay heavy price for performing below their best

UD Almería suffered a harsh 2–0 defeat at the Ibercaja Stadium in a match where the Rojiblancos were unable to perform at their usual level and ultimately paid the price. Rubi’s side controlled possession in the first half and looked the more dominant team, but after the break they appeared uncomfortable and imprecise. Despite this, the Indálicos still managed to create scoring opportunities in both periods. In the dying minutes, however, they were unable to prevent the hosts from sealing the result with greater intensity and efficiency.

Rubi named a starting XI similar to the one from the previous Matchday, though he made changes at full-back. Marcos Luna and Centelles, who had featured regularly in recent games, started on the bench, replaced by Chirino and Álex Muñoz. Otherwise, it was the same side that had convincingly beaten Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa, now facing opponents fighting for survival in professional football, albeit under very different circumstances. Real Zaragoza, one of Spain’s historic clubs, came into the game fresh from a win in Cádiz, backed by nearly 20,000 fans at home and boosted by the return of several key players.

With these factors in play, UD Almería faced hosts who began with high intensity and aggressive pressing, causing a few early scares but also opening spaces for counter-attacks. In the 8th minute, Léo Baptistão found the net, but the goal was ruled out for an earlier offside by Miguel de la Fuente. As the half progressed, the visitors took control and dictated the tempo. At times they moved the ball with quality and purpose; at others they were guilty of sloppiness, yet their superiority was evident, reflected in a significant 62% share of possession. Miguel de la Fuente in the 26th minute and Lopy in the 31st both had clear chances to make it 0–1.

With 34 minutes on the clock, play was halted for 10 minutes while medical staff attended to a supporter in the stands. After the restart, the ref initially awarded a penalty for handball by Keidi Bare inside the box, but VAR overturned the decision. From that point until half-time, the Maños edged proceedings slightly and came close through Francho, who headed over from point-blank range when left unmarked. The teams went into the break level at 0–0.

What happened in first-half stoppage time proved a warning of what was to come. Just 3 minutes into the second half, Andrés Fernández produced a fine save from Dani Gómez, though the move was later flagged offsides. The hosts began to play with greater fluency and directness, while UD Almería looked increasingly unsettled and short of ideas in possession.

The Catalan gaffer turned to his bench, introducing Embarba and Centelles in place of Baptistao and Álex Muñoz. The changes sparked a response and in the 63rd and 65th minutes Sergio Arribas and Embarba both came close to finding the back of the net. Embarba squandered another opportunity in the 77th minute. The game opened up, with momentum seemingly shifting in favour of the visitors.

However, in the 80th minute, Rober produced a decisive individual moment, driving into the box and firing past Andrés Fernández with a low cross-shot, unchallenged by the defence. The referee initially disallowed the goal for a suspected handball in the build-up, but VAR intervened to award it.

With little time remaining and trailing 1–0, UD Almería began to play with urgency. De la Fuente missed a clear chance in the 90th minute, firing over the bar. Amid mounting desperation, Diego Gómez struck in the 90 +5' to make it 2–0 and put the result beyond doubt.