1-0: UD Almería regain automatic promotion spot to Primera

UD Almería regained the automatic spot to the Primera division of Spanish football after snatching second place in the standings from rivals CD Mirandés by winning 1-0. The Rojiblancos have made a massive turnaround in 2024 to get back in contention for automatic promotion this season. An early goal courtesy from Léo Baptistao gave them the victory in a brilliant and very well-worked first half, as in the second period, although in this one they had to suffer a bit to grab these three massive points. It has been two months without losing and Rubi's side has been unbeaten in 10 games. On Matchday 19, they kept a clean sheet and only one goal to win. 

 

Rubi opted for starting XI similar to last Sunday's squad that shared the spoils with Málaga CF, with the additions of Melero in the double pivot with Lopy, where he was placed at La Rosaleda Stadium when he replaced injured Gui Guedes, and Léo Baptistão, who operated on the left wing. 

 

UD Almería made sensible decisions from the off and after Sergio Arribas squandered a big chance in the 5th minute, shortly after, in the 7th, Baptistão opened the scoring 1-0 by firing a rebound within the box after an explosive shot by Bruno Langa.

 

The Rojiblancos had very quickly managed to beat the team who have conceded the fewest goals in the Segunda division, and this was already a great achievement, especially when the Indálico outfit, with excellent teamwork and fluidity in their game, continued to insist to reach the 'Jabato' team's goal again and again.

 

With 11 minutes on the clock, the visitor goalkeeper excelled to parry away a powerful strike booted by Sergio Arribas after a well-timed cross from Langa. In the 29th minute, the Madrid native put it on a plate for striker Luis Suárez, who managed to leap beyond his marker and the goalie on his way out, but was left without an angle to have scored the second goal. Marc Pubill, inside 45 minutes, also put the Miranda de Ebro keeper's reflexes to the test. 

 

It was, in short, an excellent opening half for a UD Almería squad that did a great job because they knew how to keep their fearsome rivals at bay, who practically did not cause any concern and if they did, Fernando and the defence defended well. Furthermore, Mirandés were outplayed in the midfield and then in attack both in the centre with an active Arribas and on the wings, Pubill-Arnau, on the right, and tandem Langa-Baptistão, on the left, engineered opportunities because regardless of the rued missed chances commented, there was more sense of danger, although these collective plays had not been completed. UD Almería had a sense of anticipation and won many balls back, which left them practically without options.

 

It was a game of two halves. In the second half things were different, although a few minutes after the restart, UD Almería put together a great attacking play that ended in a corner and served to demonstrate, once again, the quality and offensive potential of the team led by Rubi. In the 55th minute, a penalty against the player was chalked off by the VAR, but everyone was in shock because CD Mirandés took control of the ball as the minutes passed. After a spell with end-to-end activity, possession began to last very little for the hosts and the guests from Castile y León made their presence felt in the final third looking to beat Fernando. UD Almería knew how to suffer until the final whistle, whose noise was a relief... It sparked euphoria. It was no wonder.