UD Almería look to clinch victory against FC Barcelona for first time ever
The Rojiblancos scored two draws and experienced four defeats in the six visits of the Culé team in LaLiga competition at the Power Horse Stadium.
UD Almería have achieved victories throughout its history in LaLiga over nearly all the top-tier teams except FC Barcelona. The Rojiblancos drew twice at home in the six visits of the Culé team in the top flight and this Sunday (KO 6:30pm Spain Time) they will try their hardest to wow everyone in the Power Horse Stadium against current Primera Division table-toppers.
Rubi's squad, which has Gonzalo Melero absent, faces the game on the back of three defeats on the spin and with the need and self-demand to pluck up the courage against Barça, who tops the table at the minute and have only suffered one defeat in the entire 2022/23 season. Xavi Hernández's side are visiting the South coast after exiting the Europa League. Manchester United came from behind to beat the Catalans 2-1 last Thursday and 4-3 on aggregate to win their Europa League play-off at Old Trafford. Next week, the Blaugranas are playing the Spanish Cup semis against Real Madrid CF.
LAST VISIT
UD Almería put Barça in trouble in the past 2014/15 season. It was the last time the Azulgranas visited the Juegos Mediterráneos Stadium. At that time, the Indálicos took the lead through a brilliant opening goal from Thievy, although a tactically savvy FC Barcelona managed to come back from behind just before the full-time whistle. The previous fair result for UD Almería against them took place in the 2007/08 campaign when the encounter ended in a share of the spoils (2-2) as the Rojiblancos equalised with former UD Almería head coach Emery in the driving seat.
REFEREE
Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias, from the Madrid Referees School, will be the match official. It is his second season in the Spanish first division. Iglesias Villanueva will be the VAR assistant. Ortiz Arias has blown the whistle in nine games with UD Almería on the field with two victories, five losses and two draws. The last time the ref took control of a game was in the play-offs second-leg tie against Girona FC in the 2020/21 season. As far as FC Barcelona are concerned, he has only refereed a match with the Blaugranas in action when they racked up a victory over Celta de Vigo last year.
SOLD OUT STADIUM
This is the second time in the 2022/23 season when UD Almería will play in a sold out Power Horse Stadium after the first league match against current runners-up Real Madrid CF. All available tickets have been sold including the recent opening of the new East upper tier stand. It is expected to beat the record of that game against the Merengues with a record attendance of around 16,000 attendees.
LAST TRAINING SESSION
The UD Almería squad carried out their last training session this Saturday ahead of Sunday's meeting. The football practice was conducted behind closed doors on the same pitch where the Rojiblancos and the Azulgranas will be locking horns. As Rubi announced during the pre-Barça presser that the gaffer hosted before delivering training, Pozo and Akieme are available for selection, while Gonzalo Melero will sit out the encounter due to some discomfort.
