1-1: UD Almería share the spoils with Al-Nassr FC while Luis Suárez debuts
The new Rojiblanco footballer entered the field from the bench in the second half to set up a couple of a big chances. 24 players came on to play in Riyadh.
It was a one-all draw for UD Almería and Al-Nassr FC. The international friendly was played at the Principe Faisal Bin Fahad Stadium located in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, where the Rojiblancos spent two days with and eye to step up preparations ahead of the LaLiga Santander resumption, meet Club partners from this country and tour the city before getting kitted out.
Striker Luis Suárez debuted with UD Almería. The Colombian was signed in the winter transfer market and became one of the main centres of attention during the friendly in which Rubi lined up all the available players with the exception of Fuoli. A total of 24 players came on to play since Kaiky was feeling discomfort; Babić rejoins his team-mates next week after having participated in the World Cup, and Svidersky is away on international duty with the Slovakia U21.
The head coach distributed the minutes evenly. The four strikers in the squad got 22 minutes each in their legs: El Bilal Touré, who opened the scoring 0-1 on the 17th minute; Diego Sousa, Milovanović and Luis Suárez, who was able to make it 1-2 when as he brought physicality and bite to UD Almería's attack. Only Chumi played the full 90 minutes due to the lack of central players; for instance, César de la Hoz replaced Rodrigo Ely after half-time.
It was a good preparation test in the Middle East because apart from the fact that everyone got minutes and they took on powerful adversaries despite competing in a league of a lower level than the Spanish one, UD Almería were demanding. Not surprisingly, Al-Nassr FC have talented players, such as Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina or Brazilian striker Anderson Conceição 'Talisca', who equalised, from a direct free-kick taken from the edge of the box within 20 minutes.
UD Almería demonstrated more composure and quick thinking on the field over the course of the first half with good passing of the ball and although they created danger near the box, they lacked pinpoint precision, even though El Bilal Touré grabbed the opener in the 17th minute when finishing off with a thumping header at the far post through a well-crafted cross from Portillo, and that on 29 minutes, Ramazani could have hit the counter with a penalty. In addition, they competed fiercely and they knew how to keep their rivals at bay.
Rubi rang the changes within the starting XI. Well, Chumi was the only one who played the full 90 minutes. Both teams went all out attack in the second half. UD Almería once again took control of the ball, with Eguaras and Robertone creating an effective build-up play looking for high-pressing with Embarba. Latest signing Luis Suárez made his UD Almería debut inside 67 minutes setting up two big chances. Both teams had to settle for a 1-1 draw when the final whistle was blown.
International friendly Information:
Al-Nassr FC: Ospina, Sultan Alshannam, Álvaro González, Abdullah Madu, Konan, Luiz Gustavo, Alkhaibari, Aiman Ahmed, Sami Alnaji, Masharipov and Talisca. Alsulayhim, Ali Lajami, Mohammed Fatil, Mamés Gushaysh, Gonzalo Martínez, Ghareeb, Ali Alhassan, Alghannam and Mansour Alshammari also played.
UD Almería: Fernando (Pacheco, 45'), Pozo (Mendes, 35'), Chumi, Rodrigo Ely (César de la Hoz, 45'), Alex Centelles (Akieme, 45'), Samú Costa (Eguaras, 45') , Portillo (Guí Guedes, 45') (Arnau Puigmal, 67'), Melero (Robertone, 45'), Baptistão (Lázaro, 45'), El Bilal Touré (Diego Sousa, 23') (Milovanović, 45') ( Luis Suárez, minute 67) and Ramazani (Embarba, 45').
Goals: 0-1 (17'). El Bilal Touré finished off a cross from Portillo with a header. 1-1 (20'). 'Talisca', from a direct free-kick taken from the edge of the area.
Referee: Majed Alshamrai, from Saudi Arabia.
Observations: Friendly match, third for UD Almería in this World Cup Qatar break, played at the Principe Faisal Bin Fahad Stadium located in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).
