Almería put an end to their pre-season with a 120-minute behind-closed-doors friendly at Wanda
Akieme makes a brilliant debut. Mendes, Olivera and Gutiérrez also showed off their footie skills
Unión Deportiva Almería put an end to their pre-season this Saturday with a friendly game [;ayed against top-flight Atlético de Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano. The Rojiblancos seemed to know well how to face the ‘Colchoneros’, although out of the blue they started to lose momentum.
One week to go until Almeria compete in LaLiga SmartBank! Maybe, that is the reason why- before the imminent participation in competition of both teams in their respective championships - a practice match was organised split into two halves of 60 minutes each.
A hard-fought game kicked off with a fearsome Almeria. The Indalicos once again displayed the defensive and offensive game strategies that have been seen during the previous friendlies played in Marbella not long ago. Logically, the Atlético de Madrid’s full potential make it difficult to handle a difficult situation in terms of intensity and therefore, the Almeria squad battled it out with the top-flight enemy. A couple of defenders aiming to deflect towards the left and right flanks triggered the two most dangerous plays of these first minutes of the encounter. The team’s deep block was strong and managed to prevent the opponents from creating big chances.
Since the water break was allowed in Spanish football, it has been seen that restarts are likely to have a negative impact on the sides. That was exactly what happened when the first goals of the game came. Atlético de Madrid scored the opener thanks to Morata’s clinical finish to the near post. A few minutes later UD Almería hit back through strategy: a set-piece performed on the left wing by José Carlos Lazo was finished off with faith by Nikola Maras to find the equaliser and make it 1-1. It was a worthwhile goal indeed considering the power of Atlético de Madrid when it comes down to this type of plays. The pre-season is not only about playing more minutes but also to put what has been trained into practice during the games. Almeria laboured to a one-all draw with Atletico before getting to half-time. The Rojiblancos had a very clear idea of the central attacking and defensive style of play. Akieme stood out brilliantly; the left-back newcomer, without having participated in a single previous training session along with his team-mates, showed off his defensive and attacking skills.
The meeting cooled down due to the tactical substitutions that both head coaches made with the intention of continuing testing players. It was like starting all over again. It was the game phase in which Almeria struggled to have possession as the players did not control the ball as much as they did during the first 60 minutes. In point of fact, that's how Simeone’s men pulled one back at hands of Diego Costas (2-1). It was time to reshape the squad. José Gomes continued to make the right changes. Goalie Lluis Tarres - after starter Makaridze and Fernando’s intervention - defended the goal with the support of Almeria B fellow youngsters Fermín and Robles. Goals from rivals Mollejo and Saponjic secured a 4-1 result against Almeria.
Starting XI: Makaridze; Balliu, Maras, Chumi, Akieme; De la Hoz, Samu Costa, Villalba, Corpas; Lazo and Juan Villar. Fernando, Buñuel, Martos, Aguza, Mendes, Juan Gutiérrez, Ramazani, Ibiza, Olivera, Peybernes, Albiar, Javi Robles and Fermín also played.
All of the latest signings made their debut for UD Almeria at Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid. Almería played for the first time wearing their new away kit.