On opening night, you dress for the occasion: an ironed shirt, a Windsor knot and gleaming cufflinks. The new-look UD Almería turned up just as polished in front of their supporters, with 15,805 fans filling the stands and eager to make their presence felt.

Style matters too. Elegant in possession and compact between the lines, the Rojiblancos controlled the game from the outset. No rush, but no pause either. They took centre stage on the opening night of the league season, exactly as head coach García Pimienta had promised in the build-up. The gaffer kept his word and so did his team, producing a first half that left the crowd almost speechless but with plenty of reasons for optimism.

It did not take long for the home side to settle into their rhythm. The heat was intense, but UD Almería soon turned up the pressure. In the 14th minute, Dzôdić sent an early warning with a long-range effort from around 43 yards that Vila had to tip behind for a corner.

The tension was building. Melamed delivered the corner and Bonini, arriving perfectly and almost on the edge of the 6-yard box, rose to head the ball into the CD Eldense net and open the scoring. A clean header from a perfectly delivered cross and the Italian defender had his first goal of the night.

Together. Compact. Ready to play. UD Almería showed remarkable organisation for a team making its competitive debut in August, demonstrating that García Pimienta’s ideas are already becoming second nature. Their build-up play was purposeful throughout, accelerating whenever necessary and progressing with the ball under control.

Embarba came close to doubling the lead with a shot in the 22nd minute, before Melamed also tested Vila, with the Eldense keeper turning the effort behind for another corner.

The guests briefly threatened Andrés Fernández’s goal on two occasions. First came a counter-attack that ended with Carmona shooting wide, followed a minute later by a header from Cabanés that the Murcia-born goalkeeper gathered at the second attempt.

There was no sign of UD Almería losing their composure. The past was left firmly behind them.

The Rojiblancos' set-piece laboratory produced another result. Arribas delivered a free-kick towards the far post, Miguel de la Fuente got his head to it and, right on the goal line, Dzódic followed up to bundle the ball into the net and make it 2-0. VAR took a closer look, but the goal was eventually awarded.

While some supporters were already heading for the refreshment stands or joining the queues for the toilets, they missed a goal of the highest quality just before half-time.

Melamed produced a spectacular finish, finding the top-left corner of the CD Eldense goal to send the home crowd into raptures. His strike was worthy of his shirt number and gave UD Almería an emphatic 3-0 lead at the break.

Second half 

The second half produced little in terms of goals, yet there were still moments when plenty could have happened.

CD Eldense came out knowing they had to respond and enjoyed more possession for the first time. However, their dominance was largely sterile. The question was whether the Indálicos were deliberately inviting their opponents from Elda forward, waiting for the opportunity to strike on the counter.

The home side did lose some momentum with such a commanding advantage, and García Pimienta spotted it immediately. His substitutions were greeted with loud applause: the crowd gave Melamed and Embarba a standing ovation as they made way for Cipenga and Quim.

The changes were designed to restore the threat and attacking depth that had faded slightly, while also disrupting CD Eldense’s attempts to build momentum. And they worked.

Cipenga immediately began making powerful runs down the left flank and the home supporters quickly began to appreciate the Congolese winger’s qualities. His explosiveness was impossible to miss.

The winger almost produced an assist with his first meaningful involvement, but his cross from the left was met by De la Fuente, whose effort was brilliantly saved by the visiting goalkeeper.

Almost the exact same combination produced the final big chance of the match. This time, De la Fuente went down inside the box and the referee awarded a penalty. Baptistão stepped up, but his spot-kick flew over the crossbar.

The final whistle sent the UD Almería faithful home satisfied and above all, excited. A clean sheet and a 3-goal victory provided the perfect start to the new era.

It is not often that UD Almería begin a season in such emphatic fashion. On this occasion, they not only put an end to a long run of difficult opening days, but also delivered a clear statement of intent: the new UD Almería are ready to compete.

Match information | Matchday 1 

UD Almería: Andrés Fernández, Álex Muñoz, Bonini, Pulido, Chirino (Luna, 80’), Gui Guedes, Dzôdić (Vesga, 87’), Arribas (Baptistão, 80’), Nico Melamed (Cipenga, 63’), Embarba (Quim, 63’), Miguel de la Fuente.

CD Eldense: Ramón Vilà, David Ruiz, Olaizola, Smand, Clemente, Justin Smith, Guilla Macho (Borja, 85’), Bustillo (Rastrojo, 60’), Pau Cabanes (Jordi Martín, 70’), Fidel Chaves (Guirao, 85’), Carmona (Rodri Val, 70’).

Goals: 1-0, 15’ Bonini. 2-0, 47’ Dzodic. 3-0, 50’ Melamed.

Referee: Alejandro Ojaos Valera.

Attendance: 15,805.