2-0: Bravissimo UD Almería against one of the best Italian clubs!

It was a solid’s night work for UD Almería who beat Società Sportiva Lazio under the Power Horse Stadium’s lights. It was a great friendly played by the Rojiblancos over the full 90 minutes against their last opponents of the mid-season break. El Bilal Touré opened the scoring through a back-heel goal just before the break while Ramazani would be the one who made magic happen with the ball to seal a 2-0 victory. SS Lazio tried their hardest to reach the opposing goal with Fernando between the sticks, but the Andalusians put in an effective defensive and attacking display.

The Starting XI chosen by head coach Rubi had new faces compared to the previous practice game against Torino FC 1906. While Lázaro Vinicius replaced Embarba, Ramazani played instead of Baptistão and also Alejandro Pozo took Mendes’ starting spot.

The first half began with both top-flight sides lacking precision, neither team gained control of the ball in the opening minutes. However from minute 25, the Rojiblancos started to create more threatening situations. With 33 minutes gone, Ramazani squandered a great opportunity after a well-crafted cross, but his shot ended up being taken out under the sticks by the Italian defence. Shortly after this scare, El Bilal Touré finished off a lovely assist from Alejandro Pozo. The French scored a back-heel goal to the surprise of those present in the stands with their jaws dropped open.

Guests SS Lazio looked determined to push for an equaliser sooner rather than later, yet they would not be able to find the back of the net defended by Fernando in the first 45 minutes.

It seems that the evening was going to go down with some stunning goals at the Power Horse Stadium, since as soon as the second half kicked off, Ramazani invented a Maradona-like play from the left wing, to go around the rivals until he struck beautifully at the far post with the keeper not being able to do anything. A great goal from the Belgian that wowed the UD Almeria fans.

Somehow, red and white were the dominating colours on the pitch throughout the second period; the Indalicos bossed the ball everywhere with a rock-solid defence, skilful midfielders assisting forwards who showed themselves effective in the attacking third. Everything worked perfectly within Rubi's formation.

Ramazani could have guided the ball past the goalie for the second time on his own with another hard shot that was denied by Provedel. Anyway, it was a pleasure to see the Rojiblancos playing in front of their supporters. Although I Biancocelesti battled it out from two goals down and managed to press high in the final third for some time, the UD Almeria defence blocked the Serie A opposition’s attacks.

The Rojiblancos chalked up a big win against the Rome-based side SS Lazio, one of the most powerful teams in Italy, which only means great vibes ahead of their first league fixture back away to Cádiz CF on Friday, 30 December.

Match Information:

UD Almeria: Fernando; Pozo, Akieme, Chumi, Babić; De la Hoz, Robertone, Melero; Ramazani, Lazaro and El Bilal Touré. Mendes, Centelles, Kaiky, Eguaras, Samú Costa, Arnau, Portillo, Baptistão and Dyego Sousa also played.

SS Lazio: Provedel; Lazzari, Patric, Romagnoli, Marusic; Felipe Anderson, Matías Vecino, Cataldi, Luis Alberto, Pedro; Immobile. Radu, Gila, Luka Romero, Milinkovic Savic, Marcos Antonio, Basic and Cancellieri also played.

Goals: 1-0 (35’) El Bilal Touré scores a back-heel goal. He finishes off a cross from team-mate Pozo; 2-0 (45’): Ramazani beat Provedel after dribbling past Lazzari.

Referee: Sánchez Martínez, from the Murcia Referees School. He booked hosts Ramazani and De la Hoz.

Observations: last friendly game of the mid-season break played at the Power Horse Stadium in the presence of 5,308 spectators.