1-1: Prestigious draw with Torino FC 1906 in fourth mid-season friendly
The Rojiblancos headed down the tunnel trailing 1-0, but a commanding second-half display gave them the well-deserved leveller through Ramazani.
It was a one-all tie between UD Almería and tough opponents Torino FC 1906. Rubi's men good vibes in the fourth friendly during this mid-season break against the Italians, who took the lead with a first-half opening goal from Schuurs on 35 minutes. However, in the second forty-five minutes, the Rojiblancos dominated the game, engineering many big chances. The positive result of this effective team-work came with Ramazani's equaliser after a great assist from Portillo, the second in a row for the Rojiblanco winger over this winter break. Although they kept trying to break the deadlock, there was no time for more. The starting line-up that the head coach picked out was the one formed by Fernando in goal, a defence of four with Akieme, Babić, Chumi and Mendes. Robertone, De la Hoz and Melero in the midfield. Embarba, El Bilal Touré and Baptistão up front.
UD Almería fashioned their first chance inside 5 minutes after pressing high in the attacking third. De la Hoz took the ball back after a defensive error, so that he quickly passed it to Embarba who, without thinking twice, struck from the edge of the box at the far post, but his shot went just wide.
UD Almería bossed the ball in the opening minutes as they kept possession as close to the opposition's goal as possible. After the first quarter of an hour, the Italian Serie A side began to have more control of the ball and made their presence known with more danger and good calcio over UD Almería's defensive third. In the 16th minute, Torino FC squandered the first clear-cut opportunity, a free-kick from the edge of the area that Schuurs finished off with a header to the crossbar. This play would be a warning of what would come next. With 35 minutes on the clock, the opener was grabbed by Shuurs; following a corner-kick, a dead ball situation inside the small box and the centre-back booted powerfully to send the ball towards the back of the net. Near the break, El Bilal Toure spurned a chance in a bid to cancel their first goal out with a play in which he went one-on-one with the rival goalkeeper, yet the duel was won by stretching Milinković Savic who caught the ball, leaving the striker without luck.
The second half kicked off with no changes to Rubi's starting XI and with a UD Almería being the dominant side. Within 53 minutes, a free-kick from long-range that Embarba bounced, but the woodwork denied and just a couple of minutes later, another set-piece with the same football that ended in the same way. However, both shots from UD Almería's No.10 were threatening situations that put Milinković's reflexes to the test. In the 60th minute, Mendes could have brought things level with a low-driven shot that went very close to the goal.
UD Almería made some changes on the one hour mark and the subs that came on kept it up and continued to create danger. Luis Suarez, along with Ramazani and Portillo were fearsome. The Rojiblancos played the ball from one side to the other thanks to Melero's efficiency in the midfield.
Finally, after 87 minutes, the well-earned Indalico goal was recorded. Superb assist from Portillo, his second in a row over this winter break, and an explosive shot from Ramazani slotted into the back of the net without the visiting goalkeeper being able to do anything to save it. Portillo commented at a presser that he is the type of footballer who prefers giving assists rather than scoring.
UD Almería could have slammed in their second after a great play by Ramazani on the wing, but when the Belgian was already getting ready to hit, the keeper took possession of the ball. Shortly after, Portillo, Ramazani and Luis Suarez teamed up with the latest recruit hitting the ball over the goal.
The European friendly ended in a one-all draw with some really good vibes for UD Almería ahead of the Christmas fixture against direct rivals Cádiz CF on 30 December.
Friendly match information:
Torino FC 1906: Vanja Milinković-Savic (Berisha. 65'); Djidji (Zima. 65'), Schuurs (Ilkhan. 65'), Buongiorno (Antolini. 65'); Lazaro (Bayeye. 65'), Adopo, Gineitis (Lukic. 65'), Vojvoda (Dembelé. 65'); Miranchuk (Seck. 65'), Karamoh (Radonjic. 65'); and Sanabria (Pellegri. 65')
UD Almeria: Fernando; Mendes (Puigmal. 78'), Chumi, Babić (Ely. 65'), Akieme (Centelles. 78'); De la Hoz (Eguaras. 78'); Baptistão (Ramazani. 65'), Robertone (Portillo. 65'), Melero (Samu. 78'), Embarba (Lázaro. 78'); and El Bilal Touré (Luis Suárez. 65').
Goals: 1-0 (35'). Schuurs, explosive shot from inside the small area after a corner-kick. 1-1 (87') Ramazani, Portillo's assist from the edge of the box finished off by Ramazani from the penalty spot.
Referee: Ojaos Valera, from the Murcia Referees School, booked visitors Gineitis and Buongiorno.
Observations: mid-season friendly match played at the Pinatar Arena. Before the match, a minute's silence was observed for the death of Sinisa Mihajlović, former Torino FC head coach.
