2-2: Well-deserved draw for UD Almería against Real Sociedad
The Rojiblancos earned a valuable point in their visit to the Reale Arena Stadium in a match that they started winning before the San Sebastian-based team turned the score around, ended up tying in the 88th minute. Adrián Embarba grabbed a brilliant brace
UD Almería earned a well-deserved draw in their visit to the Reale Arena stadium. The Indálicos took the lead through Adrián Embarba's opener. Real Sociedad, in the next play, would manage to lehel things up. In the second half, the hosts hit again with Oyarzabal's goal. Despite this blow, UD Almería did not give up and in the 88th minute Embarba again converted from 12 yards to give the team a well-deserved point.
The starting XI presented several new faces compared to the last game: in the defensive line, Chumi replaced injured Radovanović, while Langa would take Centelles' spot and Edgar that of César Montes. In the midfield, Lopy returned as a defensive midfielder, and in the attacking third, three more changes were made: Embarba came in for Arribas, Luka Romero for Ramazani and Léo Baptistão for Marezi.
In the first half, especially during the first thirty minutes, a game with plenty of end-to-end activity between both teams predominated, with abundant passes in the midfield and few chances. Despite this, Real Sociedad managed to get closer in the early stages, putting Maximiano's reflexes to the test. However, the match remained mostly calm until, after half an hour of play, the excitement and goals happened, with UD Almería being the first to strike.
Adrián Embarba, taking advantage of a brilliant pass from peer Pubill, masterfully controlled the ball and calmly finished in a one-on-one situation, and thus putting his team in front. However, this advantage was short-lived, since, in the next play, the San Sebastian outfit equalised. Javi Galán sent a cross that Becker converted into a goal.
In the 40th minute, Maximiano emerged as a hero by making a spectacular double save, first stopping a powerful shot by Galán and then saving Becker's attempt on the goal line with a crucial block. Despite the number of chances whipped in by the Basque Country players, the combination of the Rojiblanco goalkeeper and fortune prevented the score from becoming unbalanced, and thus maintaining the 1-1 tie at half-time.
The second half kicked off with a change in the UD Almería squad, Luka Romero was benched and Larguie Ramazan took his place. Apart from this, Real Sociedad came out, in this second period, exactly the same as the first one ended, creating a lot of danger.
In the 49th minute, Oyarzabal made it 2-1, although it would be chalked off due to a clear offside. However, the San Sebastian team continued with their siege and ten minutes later, in the 59th minute, the goal at the hands of Oyarzabal would be worth it, as he took advantage of a great delivery from Becker to put the hosts ahead. The Rojiblancos did not give up, they remained solid in defence and in the 87th minute, they had a chance. Adrián Embarba converted a very clear penalty committed on Choco Lozano and levelled things up. This greatly encouraged UD Almería and Ramazani was about to turn the score around in just two minutes, but his shot, inside the box, went close to the goal defended by Remiro.
