3-1: UD Almería take loss on the road against in-form Burgos CF

UD Almería took a 3-1 loss on the road again against Burgos CF complicating their promotion hopes. This defeat not only means they will remain out of the play-offs, but depending on the Matchday results, the gap could become wider, despite the fact that there are still many points at stake. 

 

Rubi fielded a similar starting XI to the previous Matchday, who convincingly defeated Real Zaragoza, although making some necessary changes due to the absences of Lopy and Bruno Langa, being capped by their respective national teams. Kaiky and Alex Centelles replaced them.

 

The head coach warned in the match preview that they needed to be extremely focused against in-form Burgos CF, but in the 8th minute, the home side put themselves in front through Marcelo Expósito, who with a stroke of genius inside the box beat Maximiano with a cross. 

 

UD Almería looked to cancel their opener out, winning possession and taking the initiative, however the Burgaleses were comfortable parking the bus and looking for counter-attacks to double their lead. The Rojiblancos dominated, but found it difficult to overcome their opponents, who left no space. In the 29th minute, a lethal counter-attack made it 1-1. Luis Suárez initiated the play, played Arnau Puigmal through to Robertone, and the Argentinean passed it to Melero to level it up. 

 

There were chances in the closing stages, with Marc Pubill squandering a clear chance from a corner, making it 2-1. The Indálicos had become strong and were finally controlling the situation.

 

At the start of the second half, Rubi made a substitution, bringing on Selvi and benching Kaiky, who was booked. Both teams wentvall out for the win, and the chances came in succession, although it was UD Almería who engineered the clearest chances while also managing to keep their opponents at bay. 

 

Arnau Puigmal, in the 52nd minute; Luis Suárez, in the 56th; and Marc Pubill, in the 58th, all had chances to find the back of the net. They failed to do so, and shortly after, after 67 minutes, Burgos CF shocked everyone with a set-piece goal from a free kick finished by Fer Niño. 

 

Things were getting complicated, and what a challenge it was because the home side grew stronger with the unrivalled support of their fans, the minutes ticked by, and the heavy rain also made play difficult. To top it all off, 85 minute in, the match was sealed at 3-1 on a counter-attack finished by Iñigo Córdoba as UD Almería looked to equalise.