Well...it had to happen sometime...UD Almería lost the LaLiga Hypermotion top spot as Albacete BP ended the Rojiblancos' 14-game unbeaten run. The hosts took the lead very early at the Carlos Belmonte stadium. Lacklustre, disjointed opening half for Rubi's men who headed down the tunnel trailing 1-0. Then, in the second period, they reacted, were close to levelling things up and when they seemed to have the situation under control, a penalty made it 2-0. They did not give up and Robertone pulled one back in the 86th minute. In stoppage time, Marezi hit the woodwork. What a pitty!. The Indálicos sit now third, two points behind current pacesetters Racing de Santander, who leapfrogged them to regain the lead. 

 

Rubi initially opted for a 4-4-2 formation with Luis Suárez, who returned after serving a one-game suspension, and Léo Baptistão, up front. The wings were covered by Arribas and Nico Melamed, so the offensive potential was absolutely great. For the rest, the usual with the change of Centelles for Bruno Langa as a left-back with respect to the previous match against SD Huesca.

 

The UD Almería head coach stated in the pre-Albacete presser that the opponents had been the team that had created the most chances for around 20 minutes against the Indálicos in the first half of the season fixture, although the gaffer trusts in the defensive reliability and the powerful attack of his players to overcome the hosts. 

 

UD Almería had neither one thing nor the other and the Albaceteños once again conjured up numerous scoring opportunities making the most of the one whipped in in the 13th minute to take the lead. Luckily, they did not get many others right and thus, allowed the guests to be involved in the game somehow. 

 

The Rojiblancos wearing their green away kit at the Carlos Belmonte were not comfortable during the first half due to their build-up play struggles plus the continuous attacks by Alba who found spaces to clearly reach Maximiano's goal from both flanks. However, UD Almería also had some chances, especially through Luis Suárez. In fact, within 13 minutes, the opener came after a quick counter-attack by Morci after the Colombian sent a ball to the crossbar.

 

At the start of the second period, Rubi brought Robertone into action instead of Lopy, who was issued a yellow card, while Arribas also stood in the centre right behind Luis Suárez and Baptistão was on the right wing. UD Almería started strong, they had the ball with much greater discretion and a few minutes after the restart, Nico Melamed shot from the edge of the box, showing off the home side goalie. The Indálicos had recovered the signs of identity that had led them to be unbeaten for 14 games. 

 

UD Almería bossed and in the 52nd minute, they squandered a big chance to grab the equaliser again. Baptistão crossed in from the right and the Colombian striker failed to finish into the back of the net. Shortly after, after 60 minutes, it was Arribas who ran into the Albacete keeper in a play well put together by Marc Pubill and the Brazilian. Based on what was being seen, it was a matter of time before the tie came because Rubi's men were superior and dominated for longer spells. However, in the 67th minute, everything changed due to a penalty. Morci was in charge of converting from 12 yards to double their lead 2-0. 

 

From then on, UD Almería tried their hardest in every possible way, they did not give up at any point, yet time was running too fast to turn the match around. Despite this, they were close to rescuing a point in the dying embers since Robertone pulled one back in the 86th minute and Marezi, in stoppage time, finished off but unfortunately was denied by the woodwork (2-1). 

 

Alba ended UD Almería's remarkable 14-game unbeaten streak. After the narrow loss, the Rojiblancos moved down to third  two points behind current leaders Racing de Santander.