UD Almería head coach Rubi commented in the pre-Cup press conference that a higher-tier team had a little to gain and a lot to lose in the first round of the tournament.  UD Almería knocked out UD San ​​Sebastián de los Reyes 1-2 to put their name in the hat for the Spanish Cup second-round. 

 

This exciting tournament usually brings many surprises...and the Rojiblancos know that backwards and forwards. UD Almería have been there before. Copa de Rey first opponents Sanse, from the same division as UD Barbastro or CD Arenteiro in the two previous years, took the lead in the 21st minute when Fernando Peralta's header goal put them in front. The home side had started with power, as expected, playing with such intensity and motivation. In a few minutes they had already created threatening situations and had taken corner-kicks three times.

 

However, little by little, UD Almería imposed their game and it was no wonder with the squad chosen despite several of the usual starters not being there. The Indálicos commanded by making sensible decisions so chances followed one another. In just three minutes, Arnau Puigmal came back with two great goals in the 38th and 41st minutes. 

 

Rachad, who formed an attacking pair with Marezi, whipped in several chances and so did Arnau, but the scoreboard would no longer record more goals. The break arrived with Sanse trailing 1-2.

 

In the second half, Rubi's team kept up the good work, although at all times they looked for a third to have greater peace of mind. They enjoyed possession, controlled the situation... although they could not avoid some scares. In one of them, debutant goalie Bruno Iribarne made a brilliant save to prevent the hosts from levelling things up. Gonzalo Melero or Nico Melamed, who came out in the second period, also had very clear goal-scoring opportunities to have put the game to bed earlier.