2-2: Squad rotation earns UD Almería a point as they give LaLiga suspense
The Rojiblancos, who started the game on the losing side, came back from behind to silence the Son Moix Stadium, although in the end the draw was enough for RCD Mallorca to guarantee top-tier status
UD Almería scored a point on the road again as visitors, this time in Mallorca, where they even managed to win temporarily after overcoming a 1-0 deficit with goals from Arribas and Bruno Langa, this one wonderful, but in the end they had to settle for a two-all draw with rivals with league survival at stake. After the Matchday 37 results, the islanders guaranteed top-tier status. Needless to say, they had to suffer a lot because UD Almeria were always in the match showing their strengths and gave the LaLiga EA Sports lower part of the table enough suspense. Cádiz CF, who will visit the Power Horse Stadium on the last Matchday, are also relegated.
Head coach Pepe Mel announced on the eve of the match that there were going to be many changes to the starting XI and that he would bring into play those who were freshest after Thursday's game against FC Barcelona and those who were most eager to prove things on the pitch. Well, there were up to 8 changes in the squad list, repeating only the two centre-backs César Montes and Chumi, because there were not many other options, and Bruno Langa. An authentic rotation starting from the goalie with Fernando and ending in the attack with Luis Suárez as playing as No. '9.' A formation with which the gaffer looked to compete fiercely and show professionalism and grit.
UD Almería visited the Spanish island to play against rivals with their league safety at stake, but in addition the Son Moix Stadium was in the limelight because of the other teams depended on the result. RCD Mallorca began the game into a 'frenzy' of combat, UD Almería came out responsive and brought uncertainty to Son Moix, highlighting Luka Romero, who faced the club in which he trained and with whom he debuted in the Primera Division; Sergio Arribas, very active and with quality, and Centelles, operating as a winger ahead of Bruno Langa.
As time began to wind down, the hosts increased their dominance and possession, and in the 29th minute, they opened the scoring 1-0. Corner-kick, Samú Costa flicked the ball on with his head, it hit Copete's feet and put it on a plate for Larin to tap it into the back of the net. It seemed that Mallorca were going to get the match back on track since the Indálicos no longer had as much of an advantage and their opponents were superior, but shortly before half-time, the Rojiblancos tied the score through Arribas, who drilled home with a shot from inside the box. At 1-1 the break was reached. The Bermellones, with this score, secured league survival given the fact that Cádiz CF did not beat UD Las Palmas.
The second half was truly exciting even though UD Almería had nothing at stake, but with their winning attitude it added uncertainty and suspense to the competition. RCD Mallorca started by commanding and insisting, however, Pepe Mel's side did a good defensive job and Fernando also looked confident in goal.
The Rojiblancos began to find spaces against opponents who were going all out for victory to avoid suffering. With 66 minutes on the clock, Bruno Langa booted a worldy from about 27 yards that meant 1-2 so the Son Moix was trembling with fear because, in addition to complicating their aspirations, a goal by relegation-threatened Cádiz CF could have been fatal.
Furthermore, UD Almería continued to cause trouble, although inside 83 minutes, Darder put Fernando's reflexes to the test to draw level 2-2. If nothing happened at the Nuevo Mirandilla, as it did, the Bermellones secured league survival but not without having had a very bad time against an Andalusian spirited team, who since the arrival of Pepe Mel have added their 8th point away from the total 15 up for grabs. Two victories, two draws and one defeat.
