1-1: UD Almería to the rescue to earn hard-fought point

UD Almería worked up a sweat against ruthless home side Málaga CF at La Rosaleda Stadium in order to earn a hard-fought point and extend their unbeaten streak to 9 Laliga Hypermotion games. UD Almería head coach Rubi and Málaga CF head coach Pellicer expected this tense affair in Málaga. 

 

The match started with UD Controlling the game, making use of their attacking potential and quality. They engineered clear scoring chances to have gone ahead but they failed to seize them. Pellicer already said it, who praised UD Almería, but also clarified that they had their weaknesses and in one of them, the hosts took the lead in the 11th minute. It was also a play of bad luck because although opponent Dionisia, headed in without opposition, the ball hit the woodwork and Fernando and went into the back of the net miraculously (1-0).

 

Shortly after, in the 14th minute, Gui was forced off the pitch injured and replaced by Melero who contributed criteria to the Indálicos' game because although the derby was electric with chances back and forth, the clearest opportunities were whipped in by the visitors who were denied by the brilliant saves of the Malacitano goalkeeper, who in the early stages of the game received the award for the best player in the league in November. 

 

Gaffer Rubi warned that Málaga CF are one of those that concede the fewest in the LaLiga Hypermotion and that made him be on alert, especially if his side did not show effectiveness. At 1-0 the break was reached with the Rojiblancos trailing. 

 

The second half started with plenty of end-to-end activity. None of the teams were in charge or able to impose themselves or control the situation. There was no time to chill and the game, despite the minutes passing, did not cease in its high intensity. For the fans it was quite a showdown, but the two Andalusian outfits went all out and anything could happen.

 

On the hour mark, Rubi made a double substitution, bringing on Centelles and Leo Baptistao, changing the left wing with the aim of opening a way there to create dangerous situations after the entire game was loaded down the line in the first half. Suddenly, Leo Baptistao unleashed a rocket  from the edge of the box that was rejected, once again, by Málaga CF's confident goalie.

 

UD Almería insisted showing grit because they did not want to leave La Rosaleda Stadium empty-handed and in the final minutes, they were the ones who had the most initiative. In injury time, in the 90+5' minute, a corner-kick taken by Arribas levelled things up 1-1. Edgar went all out to head and in the 1v1s1 duel with Alex Pastor, he slotted home in style to rescue a hard-fought point. The Rojiblancos deserved it.