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Match Reports

1-1: UD Almería round off 2022 with hard-fought draw against Cádiz CF

The Rojiblancos, who gave a fantastic output, went ahead in the first half and fashioned numerous chances in the second. The rivals grabbed a late equaliser.

UD Almería returned to LaLiga Santander action having a great opportunity to have achieved their first away win of the season, however they did not take advantage of the large number of chances they fashioned, especially in the second half. Melero put the Rojiblancos in front in the 40th minute, and after the restart, the rivals were on the ropes until Lucas Perez grabbed the late equaliser in an electric ending to the last game of 2022 for the Rojiblancos.

Rubi picked out a Starting XI similar to the triumphant one in the last friendly against SS Lazio held last week during the mid-season break: Fernando, Pozo, Chumi, Babić, Akieme, César de la Hoz, Robertone, Melero, El Bilal Touré, Ramazani and this time, Leo Baptistão was handed out a starting spot in Cádiz, replacing Lázaro on the right wing.

UD Almería were as brilliant in their league return as they were against the Serie A side last week. Although it was the Cadistas who started the match taking the initiative, little by little the Rojiblancos were gaining momentum through organisation, intensity and effective passing looking for the opener. In the 14th minute, Ramazani put goalkeeper Ledesma to the test with an explosive shot from outside the area.

With 17 minutes on the clock, it was Fernando who denied Negredo’s towering header at the far post. Shortly after, inside 22 minutes, Cádiz CF levelled things up; Brian Ocampo booted an unstoppable thunderbolt that was disallowed by the VAR due to a previous foul on Robertone at the start of the play from the Submarino Amarillo.

Except in those minutes, UD Almería had a decent spell with an effective attacking play. Possession was close to 60 percent and clear cut chances came again. Robertone, within 30 minutes, and Ramazani, on 38 minutes lacked the precision to trouble keeper Ledesma, but after 40 minutes, Gonzalo Melero etched his name onto the scoresheet (0-1). The skilful midfielder, teed up by team-mates Pozo and Baptistão, finished off inside the box with a powerful strike that gave them a first-half edge when heading down the tunnel.

Cádiz CF found themselves on the ropes while UD Almeria could have doubled their lead given a glut of chances that were whipped in following a collective sum of individual resources like dribbling skills, ball control, speed and link up play. Oh so close! …El Bilal Touré hit the post in the 60th minute; after winning a ball from Fali back after 62 minutes, the French striker’s effort was blocked by Ledesma. Then, a goal line clearance save in the 65th minute. Next, with 74 minutes gone, Baptistão frittered his chance away on 81 minutes and also Embarba failed from a direct free-kick… it seemed the Indalicos were down on their luck. All of a sudden, opponent Lucas Pérez equalised by finishing off a loose ball within the area on 82 minutes (1-1).

The first fixture back away from home was getting even more thrilling in the dying minutes since the equaliser that cancelled out Melero’s opening goal enabled Cádiz to force a one-all draw with the Rojiblancos. Fernando prevented the hosts from making it 2-1 in stoppage time and Arnau Puigmal, who had just come onto the pitch, went close to breaking the deadlock.

It was such a shame that UD Almería could not end 2022 on a high and had to settle for a hard-fought point that was well worth it!