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2-2 UD Almería fight back to earn a point at Anoeta

Rubi’s tactical changes spark second-half resurgence as the Indálicos recover from 2-1 deficit

UD Almería were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw on Matchday 3 against Real Sociedad 'B' at Anoeta. While the result may be seen as disappointing due to defensive vulnerabilities, it also highlighted the Rojiblancos' resilience and ability to recover after trailing 2-1 in the 48th minute. Following the equaliser, UD Almería pressed for a winner right until the final whistle.

Head coach Rubi had previously emphasised the importance of not overhauling the team unless necessary, but circumstances forced him to make 4 changes, including both tactical adjustments and personal reasons, like the absence of Sergio Arribas, whose father was ill.

The starting XI saw goalkeeper Andrés Fernández and defenders Marcos Luna, Chumi, Bonini and Alex Muñoz return after their victory in León. The midfield pairing of Lopy and Selvi was reinstated for greater physicality and defensive stability. Up front, Lázaro was rejoined by 3 players making their first starts: Arnau, Soko and Nico Melamed.

The Catalan gaffer had also spoken highly of Real Sociedad 'B' before the match, and his assessment proved accurate, as the home side applied relentless pressure on UD Almería, forcing them into mistakes. Although the Rojiblancos tried to dominate possession, they struggled to execute their plan, often finding themselves on the back foot due to errors and the intensity of the Basque Country hosts.

Real Sociedad 'B' took the lead in the 34th minute through a penalty converted by Mariezkurrena, following a foul by Marcos Luna on the same player after Lopy lost possession. The penalty gave the home side a boost, but just before half-time, Melamed equalised for UD Almería in the 43rd minute. The winger pounced on a rebound inside the box to level the score at 1-1, a fair reflection of the opening 45 minutes.

However, the second half began poorly for the Indálicos. Just 3 minutes after the restart, Real Sociedad 'B' regained the lead when Carrera rose between Chumi and Luna to head home a cross from Astiazarán, making it 2-1.

The match became increasingly difficult for UD Almería, who struggled to create chances while showing signs of defensive fragility. In response, Rubi made crucial substitutions. André Horta replaced Selvi in the 60th minute to help control possession, while Embarba came on for Lázaro, with Soko moving to the No. 9 role.

The changes sparked a much-needed shift in momentum. UD Almería took charge and began to threaten the Real Sociedad 'B' goal. With 72 minutes on the clock, Baptistão and Arribas replaced Soko and Arnau, further adding to the offensive push. However, Baptistão squandered a chance to equalise in the 76th minute.

UD Almería continued to press and in the 83rd minute, their persistence paid off. A well-placed cross from Alex Muñoz found Embarba, who expertly slotted the ball into the net to make it 2-2. The Rojiblancos pushed for a late winner, but the match ended in a draw, leaving them with a valuable point from an intense encounter.

Once inicial del Almería en Anoeta
Soko y Selvi, dos de las novedades en el equipo
Bonini lo intentó en la acciones a balón parado
Nico Melamed marcó el empate a un gol al borde del descanso
Los cambios en el segundo tiempo fueron claves, como la entrada de Horta
Embarba marcó un golazo para poner el 2-2 definitivo
El Almería lo intentó hasta el final
Match summary
R. Sociedad B
R. Sociedad B
LALIGA HYPERMOTION · M3
2
-
2
Anoeta
UD Almería
UD Almería
Line-ups
Aitor Fraga photo
01Aitor Fraga
Andrés Fernández photo
01Andrés Fernández
Alberto Dadie photo
22Alberto Dadie
Marcos Luna photo
16Marcos Luna
Unax Agote photo
23Unax Agote68
Álex Muñoz photo
03Álex Muñoz
Mikel Rodriguez photo
08Mikel Rodriguez60
Selvi Clua photo
05Selvi Clua60
Luken Beitia photo
04Luken Beitia
Chumi photo
21Chumi
05Peru Rodríguez
Federico Bonini photo
18Federico Bonini
Lander Astiazarán photo
17Lander Astiazarán73
Arnau Puigmal photo
02Arnau Puigmal72
Tomás Carbonell photo
14Tomás Carbonell
Dion Lopy photo
17Dion Lopy
Gorka Carrera photo
18Gorka Carrera68
07Lazaro60
Arkaitz Mariezkurrena photo
10Arkaitz Mariezkurrena
Nico Melamed photo
10Nico Melamed86
Job Ochieng photo
11Job Ochieng60
Patrick Soko photo
19Patrick Soko72
Substitutes
Jon Ansotegi photo
Jon Ansotegi
Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia photo
Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia
Jon Balda photo
03Jon Balda68
André Horta photo
06André Horta60
Alex Lebarbier photo
06Alex Lebarbier73
Gui photo
08Gui
Daniel Díaz photo
07Daniel Díaz
Sergio Arribas photo
11Sergio Arribas72
Ekain Orobengoa photo
09Ekain Orobengoa68
Léo Baptistão photo
12Léo Baptistão72
Egoitz Arana photo
13Egoitz Arana
Fernando Martínez photo
13Fernando Martínez
Kazunari Kita photo
15Kazunari Kita
Iddrisu Baba photo
14Iddrisu Baba
Gorka Gorosabel photo
16Gorka Gorosabel60
Álex Centelles photo
20Álex Centelles
Alex Marchal photo
19Alex Marchal60
Daijiro Chirino photo
22Daijiro Chirino
20Sydney Osazuwa
Adri Embarba photo
23Adri Embarba60
Darío Ramírez photo
26Darío Ramírez
Stefan Dzodic photo
29Stefan Dzodic
Jon Garro photo
29Jon Garro
Pedro Fidel photo
32Pedro Fidel
Jon Eceizabarrena photo
30Jon Eceizabarrena
Goals
Arkaitz Mariezkurrena
33
(1 - 0)
(1 - 1)
Nico Melamed
43
Gorka Carrera
47
(2 - 1)
(2 - 2)
Adri Embarba
82
Match officials
Alejandro Morilla Turrión
Referee
Alaiz Gutiérrez Martino
Additional assistant referee#1
Carlos Grande Rabadán
Additional assistant referee#2
Pol Arenas Mora
Fourth official
Rubén Ávalos Barrera
Video Assistant Referee
José Antonio López Toca
Assistant VAR Official