1-1: UD Almería come from behind to grab a well-earned point
The Rojiblancos put in a meaningful performance over the opening half and asserted their dominance in the second. Atlético de Madrid took the lead, yet the Colchoneros were pegged back by El Bilal Toure’s leveller.
UD Almeria restored the good vibes in their match against Atlético de Madrid at the Power Horse Stadium. A demonstration of intensity, grit, chances and good football did not fade away throughout the full 90 minutes. Correa’s opening goal put Atlético de Madrid in front, yet UD Almería striker El Bilal Toure grabbed the 36-minute leveller. Throughout the second period, the Rojiblancos enforced their presence on the other side of the pitch. Fernando Martínez was on song and cleared off the line to keep the scores level. It was a one-all draw and UD Almeria grabbed a well-earned point.
UD Almería's Starting XI had five new faces compared to the previous fixture against Real Sociedad: Chumi, Pozo, Samu Costa, Embarba and Leo Baptistao replaced Babic, Mendes, César De la Hoz, Ramazani and latest recruit Luis Suarez.
UD Almería came out onto the pitch with great intensity, fast passing moves and also high pressure with an eye to whip in a glut of chances. However, the first side to strike were visitors Atlético de Madrid; in the 17th minute, Correa took advantage of a well-timed assist from Kondogbia that Griezmann let pass so that it the Argentinian who managed to beat Fernando with a low driven shot to open the scoring (0-1).
This setback did not discourage the brave hosts as they stuck to the initial strategy based on offensive transitions and goal-scoring opportunities. Akieme blew his chance to net in the play following the opener, a volley near Oblak's goal that went wide over the top. With 30 minutes on the clock, the Colchoneros could have slammed in the second, but Fernando Martínez denied Mario Hermoso's effort from a corner-kick; After this dangerous action, UD Almería squandered another opportunity to tie with a header from Baptistao, who failed to hit the target.
That threatening attacking display by the Indalicos was rewarded as they did not give up despite the adversaries’ opening goal. After 36 minutes, Robertone swung it in and El Bilal Touré’s thumping header beat Oblak. This goal sparked a wave of offensive actions by the Rojiblancos, who forced Atlético de Madrid to defend deeper in the last minutes of the opening half.
The second period began in the same way that the first ended with UD Almería taking the game to Cholo Simeone’s side. Akieme, Embarba, Melero and El Bilal Toure continued onward going all out to break the deadlock.
Rubi made a double substitution after 65 minutes, Luis Suarez and Ramazani came on for El Bilal Toure and Leo Baptistao. As soon as the Belgian entered the pitch, he dribbled past two opponents to create a dangerous situation. In the 70th minute, Luis Suarez wasted a good opportunity to beat Oblak inside the box, but his right-footed shot went a bit wide.
Atleti were not up to heading back to Madrid with only one point so they continued to pose a threat each time they ventured up field. The excited fans chanted Fernando’s name since he made a couple of great saves; first, the Murcia-born blocked Morata’s strike and, shortly after, averted the danger created by Griezmann.
The dying minutes of the encounter did not have a clear dominant side, but it was UD Almería who did not want to settle for a draw and piled on the attack until the final whistle. Even though it was a one-all draw, the hosts could have edged their way past the visitors.
