3-2: Much-improved UD Almería challenge FC Barcelona but end up empty handed
The Rojiblancos were up for it as they came back from behind twice competing fiercely, although they lacked effectiveness of set-piece plays. The 2-1 lead by Barça came after a non-existent corner
UD Almería put in an invigorated display despite losing 3-2 to FC Barcelona away from home to close out 2023. The lack of set-pieces effectiveness have ended up condemning a team that knew how to peg the Azulgranas back twice and taking into account that the 2-1 in favour of Xavi's side came from a corner that should not have been signalled.
The starting XI that head coach Gaizka Garitano picked out to face the Culés was very similar to that of the last two fixtures, but with some changes. The formation would be the same; Maximiano between the sticks, three centre-backs César Montes, Edgar and Chumi; two wingbacks Akieme and Pozo; in midfield Baba (replacing injured and suspended Robertone) and Lopy; Ramazani (instead of Embarba), Arribas and centre-forward Léo Baptistão in the attacking zone.
Much-improved UD Almería held off the Catalan outfit well in the first few minutes, just as Mr Garitano said was essential to do. In those moments, FC Barcelona had a hard time creating danger, despite this, they had a very clear chance following a corner-kick when Sergi Roberto saw himself alone within the box, however, Luis Maximiano made a superb save and began to emerge as the best player of the first half. After this warning, Baba booted emphatically from the edge of the area, but his shot went a little wide, shortly after Ramazani also pulled the trigger, but João Cancelo was very attentive to deny the Belgian.
The first half hour saw the much-improved Rojiblancos overshadowed by FC Barcelona's goal. In a set-piece, Araujo finished off with a thumping header, Maximiano made a save again, but the ball was loose and Raphinha guide the ball past the keeper. Shortly after, Lewandowski could have double their lead 2-0, yet the visitor keeper made what was surely the save of the game to keep the Indálicos alive. Then Baptistão, taking advantage of a defensive error by the Culés, managed to blast in the equaliser (1-1), although with suspense, since the goal was disallowed for offside, but the VAR validated it in the end and thus receiving the well-deserved award after having been competing bravely against FC Barcelona with positive attitude, teamwork and grit.
FC Barcelona started the second half with great intensity and with 60 minutes on the clock, Sergi Roberto put the Catalans ahead with a header from a corner-kick (2-1).
UD Almería never give up and once again, 10 minutes later, Edgar made the most of a mistake by opponent Iñaki Peña to peg them back for the second time (2-2). This goal, logically, angered the home team and they laid siege to that leveller, in fact, they spurned a clear-cut chance to have broken the deadlock, but Gundogan missed a sitter on the goal line. The Culés were not going to give up, far from it, and in the 82nd minute, yet again, Sergi Roberto put UD Almería on the losing side making it 2-3, the referee started counting to ten, but in the 9th second, the Indálicos knew there was still work to be done to make sure of the points and were very close to levelling the scoring through a set piece that Baba finished off, however, Iñaki Peña amended his previous hurdle and saved Barcelona so that they could take all three points at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
