2-1: UD Almeria handed further boost in LaLiga Santander survival bid
Baptistão and Embarba helped give UD Almeria a big push in the pursuit of safety against bottom team Elche CF, who got stuck in the nail-biting end to the game
UD Almería grabbed three massive points in the race for LaLiga Santander safety after a match that they dominated from the first quarter of an hour and in which Baptistão and Embarba earned their names onto the scoresheet. The Rojiblancos could have extended their lead, but frittered some chances away instead while Elche CF gained momentum in the 90th minute to pull one back that led to a nail-biting end to the game. However, UD Almeria held out to chalk up a vital victory.
Head coach Rubi bet on the most regular players over these last Matchdays with the exception of the ones lined up at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium last Saturday: Fernando in goal; defenders: Pozo, Ely, Babić and Centelles; midfielders: Melero, De la Hoz and Robertone; deadly trio Luis Suárez, Baptistão and Embarba, who was a standout performer, created a glut of chances.
Elche CF started putting high pressure on the Rojiblancos, who struggled to play the ball out of the defence. After the first quarter of an hour, UD Almería reacted and began to develop creativity in the final third. With 21 minutes gone, Baptistão latched onto Ely's header inside the six-yard box and put it past the keeper. Another set-piece that Rubi's side cleverly converted to head into half-time on the lead (1-0).
In the second half, UD Almería took the game to them looking to double their advantage and inside 52 minutes, Embarba netted a stunner. Following Elche CF’s clearance from a corner-kick, the winger picked it up on the edge of the area, dribbled past opponents and shot on goal emphatically (2-0). Immediately afterwards, Baptistão missed a sitter from close range that could have increased their lead. The Brazilian's strike went over the goal though.
Centelles was the next Rojiblanco to squander a big chance in the 56th minute, however his shot narrowly missed the post. UD Almería looked potentially threatening and yet again, it was Embarba who spurned another goal-scoring opportunity through a thunderbolt from the edge of the area that crashed into the woodwork.
Pandemonium reigned in the Power Horse Stadium as Ponce, who came on from the bench, pulled a last-gasp header goal back on 90 minutes, but the Indalicos did everything in their power to grab three massive points in their quest to stay up in league.
Match information:
UD Almeria: Fernando; Pozo (Portillo. 76’), Babić, Centelles, Rodrigo Ely, De la Hoz, Robertone (Samu Costa. 84’), Melero (Eguaras. 84’); Embarba (Ramazani. 76’), Baptistão (Chumi. 69’) and Luis Suárez.
Elche CF: Werner; Blanco (Nico Fernández. 76’), Clerc, Magallán, Josán; Gumbau, John Donald (Collado. 45’), Fidel (Raúl Guti. 67’); Tete Morente, Pere Milla (Ponce. 67’) and Lucas Boyé (Nteka. 67’).
Goals: 1-0 (22’), Baptistão found the back of the net assisted by Rodrigo Ely. 2-0 (52’). Embarba, with a powerful shot from the edge of the area.
Referee: Hernández Hernández, from the Canary Islands Referees Association. He booked Rodrigo Ely and César de la Hoz, from UD Almería, as well as John Donald and Clerc, from Elche CF.
Observations: Matchday 33. Game played at the Power Horse Stadium with 13,352 supporters in the stands. At half-time in the match, all the women and youth teams from the UD Almería Academy and Foundation were honored.
Once inicial del Almería.
César de la Hoz despeja un balón en un inicio de partido en el que el Elche salió con mucha fuerza.
Los rojiblancos supieron mantener a raya a su rival.
Leo Baptistao comenzó a encarrilar el partido con el 1-0.
Pozo volvió a la titularidad.
Melero volvió a ser un jugador importante en la medular.
Leo Baptistao volvió a ser un jugador muy incisivo.
Robertone lo dio todo sobre el campo como el resto de sus compañeros, que derrocharon coraje.
Sobre todo en el segundo tiempo el Almería fue un equipo muy vertical.
Embarba celebra el golazo que marcó.
Alex Centelles tuvo una clara ocasión. Su disparo se fue fuera por poco.
