2-1: UD Almería leave Cádiz humiliated 

 

The Rojiblancos took a 0-1 lead in the first half, received two harsh red cards in the 30th and 50th minutes and lost the match in stoppage time. Rubi and Nico Melamed were also shown straight red cards. 

 

After 4 months without a win away from home, it seemed that UD Almería could take a huge step forward in their aspirations at the Nuevo Mirandilla Stadium, even fighting for automatic promotion, but in the end they left humiliated by a controversial refereeing and some unsportsmanlike situations that both the team and their fans had to endure. 

 

The Indálicos took a 0-1 lead playing with 10 men after Kaiky's sending-off, held on with 9 players after Bruno Langa was issued a straight red card in the 50th minute and in stoppage time (90+5' and 90+7'), the points slipped unfairly away from them, along with many of their chances of fighting for promotion to Primera. 

 

Rubi opted for the same starting XI as the previous Matchday against Cádiz CF in a truly crucial match for the Rojiblancos' aspirations. After thrashing CD Eldense 5-0 and putting in a brilliant performance, there was no reason to change anything, so the Indálicos were looking to continue their game, albeit in a very different setting: away from home, where the team are failing and against a in-form home opponents looking to secure their league survival status.

 

Rubi's side started the game on fire and had possession of the ball from the get go, although they didn't create any big chances. The gaffer had already said beforehand that his team can go minutes without anything happening and then create countless chances due to their attacking potential. In this case, it was the former, but at least Cádiz CF had no goal- scoring opportunities since they didn't have possession. 

 

Things got complicated in the 30th minute when Kaiky received his marching orders  with a straight red card for bringing down Roger as the last defender. The ref was very clear about it, although it can be considered a harsh decision. Pozo came on for Arribas as a right-back, allowing Marc Pubill to occupy the centre-back position alongside Edgar. And as it happens, playing with fewer men, UD Almería opened the scoring 0-1 from a set piece. Nico Melamed took a corner-kick and Melero headed it into the back of the net. In added time, Baptistão squandered a chance to double their lead 0-2, but he was denied by keeper.

 

At the start of the second half, Rubi brought on Bruno Langa in place of Nico Melamed. The Mozambican was positioned as a left-back, while Centelles moved forward. They had to be strong at the back and not concede any goals. On a counter-attack,  UD Almería came close to scoring, but in the following play, things got even more complicated when Bruno Langa was sent off in another harsh refereeing decision. It's true that the defender went all out to block a ball that was reaching Roger, but although he touched the opponent, he still hit the ball.

 

The reality is that the Rojiblancos were reduced to 9 men on the pitch with still 40 minutes to go. And Lopy was booked. There were other issues. With this situation, Cádiz CF began to dominate relentlessly, going all out for a comeback against a UD Almería squad that gave everything it had to defend the 0-1 lead without giving up on attack. In fact, with 60 minutes on the clock, Melero, after an excellent pass from Luis Suárez, almost scored, but his shot just missed the post. It was a shame, because that could have been the 0-2. 

 

As the minutes passed, the Cádiz players' attacks increased, although the guests held firm. The tension also grew, and Rubi and his players grew desperate with the referee's dodgy attitude, which was not as harsh with the home side as it was with the visitors regarding the offences. 

 

The Catalan head coach protested and was sent off with a straight red card in the 69th minute. Despite everything, it seemed that UD Almería, with their grit, could make it 1-0, however in stoppage time, in the 90+5' and 90 +7', they saw victory slip away, first, and then a draw. 

 

At the end of the match, there was friction between players from both teams and more protests to the match official, which led to the sending-off of Nico Melamed.