4-1: Almeria back to winning ways with Lugo demolition
The Rojiblancos leave Lugo with no options. Goals courtesy of Sadiq and Lazo and Corpas condemned the visitors to defeat
UD Almería are back to winning ways in LaLiga SmartBank following a solid performance to leave CD Lugo no options on the Juegos Mediterraneos pitch (4-1). The Indalicos displayed an effective and successful offensive game in which goals booted by Sadiq, Lazo and Corpas, on two occasions, sent Almeria en route to victory. The team shone on home turf and proved why they are great candidates for automatic promotion.
The head coach continued to make rotation within the Rojiblancos XI. Makaridze; Balliu, Ivanildo, Cuenca, Akieme; Samú, Morlanes, Aketxe, Lazo, Villalba and Sadiq Umar were handed starting spots.
From the match kick-off until the conclusion of the first half UD Almería built good momentum and the players in red and white jerseys did not take long to put themselves in front. Sadiq fell down within the box and the ref awarded a penalty. It is true that the Nigerian forward failed his strike, but he did not miss following a rebound off the post after Cantero's save.
The Rojiblancos gradually settled down in Lugo’s area. Meanwhile, the visitors parked the bus and did not bother Makaridze. With 19 minutes on the clock, a new penalty was called in favour of the hosts. However, the VAR stepped in, and it was overturned interpreting that there was a foul by Sadiq in the previous attempt at goal.
Almeria continued to pose a threat each time they ventured high upfield until the 38th minute, when Lugo's first clear goal-scoring opportunity ended with the match official calling a penalty due to Ivanildo’s handball. All this after the VAR review. Manu Barreiro scored from the spot grabbing an equaliser to boost their confidence away from home (1-1).
UD Almería’s sheer persistence paid off over the second half. Although before half-time, Aketxe forced Cantero to make a magnificent effort after taking direct free-kick, it would be just after the restart when Lazo slotted home thanks to a triangle passing initiated by Samú Costa with fellow left-back Akieme assisting the Sanlúcar de Barrameda-born footballer.
With the second goal breaking the deadlock (2-1), José Gomes made the first modification from the subs bench with Corpas coming on for Aketxe. As soon as the left-winger entered the pitch, he did not hesitate to create a big chance, yet Lugo’s keeper made a sensational stretch to deny the captain who tried his luck from outside the 18-yard-box.
Anyway, Corpas gave enough refreshment to Almería’s attack to the point that he managed to put his name onto the scoresheet for the second time during the encounter. Before that, Campadabal had his shot well saved by Makaridze.
Sadiq’s shot hit the woodwork on 68 minutes in a face-off with opponent’s goalie Cantero, after picking up a pass from team-mate Corpas, and the latter would score taking advantage of the rebound. This deadly goal-machine duo were the players of the game as shortly after, the Nigerian provided the Linares de la Encina-born with a fantastic assist to extend their lead within 74 minutes (4-1).
José Gomes made more changes with his men leading, so Schettine and César de la Hoz occupied the positions of Umar and Samú Costa. UD Almería, through a solid performance and a brilliant display to prove why they are clear candidates for automatic promotion, secured a comprehensive 4-1 victory to be back to winning ways.