1-0: Good summer test and victory over Málaga CF

UD Almería had a good pre-season test against Málaga CF, who will be LaLiga Hypermotion rivals next season, in the friendly played at the Marbella Football Center, where the Rojiblancos beat them 1-0 with a match-winning goal courtesy of Centelles after a brilliant collective play. Head coach Rubi gave more minutes to the players than in the previous matches against Granada CF and SL Benfica, which is beginning to be significant in shaping the squad for the official competition. 

This Sunday, the Indálicos will face the fourth off-season test against Qatari side Al-Sadd SC at the La Quinta facilities, where the team are carrying out their summer training camp. 

UD Almería went into the break on a 1-0 lead, although due to the chances they created, the advantage could have been greater, although Málaga CF also had their chances, although the clearest ones were those of the Rojiblancos. 

The Malacitanos, with the same team who earned promotion to second-tier LaLiga Hypermotion, went out onto the pitch with fierce intensity and direct play, which made things quite difficult for the Rojiblancos, who showed fighting spirit as in their previous matches.

The Starting XI picked out by Rubi did their best despite having trained hard in the morning. It is worth highlighting in the opening half, the attacking display by Arnau Puigmal, who once again featured on the right wing. He triggered the 1-0 in a play that Arribas continued. Then, Ramazani got the delivery but it was Centelles who slammed it into the back of the net. That is exactly when UD Almería showed greater quality, which marked the differences as in the opportunities that Marezi and summer recruit Melamed would later squander. Another aspect to highlight is the line of three that Arribas, Melamed and Ramazani formed up front of the double pivot. High level and fluidity in their game. 

At the beginning of the second half, the gaffer only introduced one fresh face and gave continuity to the rest, so the players have begun to have more minutes. In fact, Rubi only made 6 more changes in the 58th minute, then after 70', on 82' putting as many players from the UD Almería 'B' team in the fray with the likes of Valen, Marcos Peña and René. 

As for Málaga CF, they rang the changes at half-time, so the greater freshness in its players helped the Malacitanos take more of the initiative against a well-placed UD Almería, who as the minutes passed took over control, having possession of the ball and dictating the pace of the Andalusian affair. 

Match information

UD Almería: Maximiano, Arnau Puigmal (Marcos Peña, 82'), Chumi, Radovanović (René, 82'), Centelles, Edgar, Robertone (Lopy, 70'), Ramazani (Valen, 82') Arribas (Léo Baptistão, 70'), Melamed (Melero, 45') and Marezi (Luis Suárez, 58') 

Málaga CF: Alfonso Herrero; Jokin Gabilondo, Nelson Monte, Einar, Víctor García; Dani Lorenzo, Manu Molina, Luca Sangalli; David Larrubia, Dionisia and Kevin Medina. Carlos López, Puga, Juanpoe, Baturina, Murillo, Izán, Aarón Ochoa, Pastor, Antoñito and Chupe also featured in the game. 

Referee: Manuel Camacho Garrote, from the Andalusian Referees association (Córdoba). He booked Rojiblancos Robertone, Luis Suárez as well as Alex Pastor from Málaga CF. 

Goals: 1-0 (23') Brilliant collective play by UD Almería with Centelles scoring thanks to a shot taken from a wide area.

Observations: UD Almería's third pre-season friendly played on the main pitch at the Marbella Football Center. Sold out game with almost an absolute majority of Málaga CF fans. The capacity was reduced. Before the meeting began, a minute of silence was observed.