2-0: Things went from bad to worse in Zaragoza…

UD Almería suffered an unfair defeat to Real Zaragoza even though they created big chances in a match in which everything went against them. The UD Almería players were dogged by misfortunes as they missed an early penalty, somewhat chalked off by the VAR while Sousa and Martos sustained injuries, the latter was forced off on a stretcher. As a result, the hosts clinched the victory through a goal after a rebound in which the ball slipped through Fernando’s hands. In short, it was one of those days of leaving the pitch with the feeling that ‘everything went from bad to worse…’

Rubi, beyond those changes in the starting XI due to the absences of crocked footballers, surprised with his choice to vary the formation by playing with two centre-forwards, and the fact of lining up an unprecedented defence: Fernando; Pozo, César de la Hoz, Iván Martos, Akieme, Samú, Eguaras, Arnau, Portillo, Dyego Sousa and Sadiq started the game in Zaragoza.

It was a crazy start to the game and that situation was not in favour of the Indálicos in terms of the result since it went downhill from a potential 0-1 to 1-0. To start with, a penalty that Dyego Sousa failed to convert from 12 yards was awarded to UD Almeria, Sadiq had sent the ball to the back of the net after several rebounds. However, this goal was not recorded in the scoreboard because it was ruled out after the VAR check and the ones to hit the counter first were Real Zaragoza in the 12th minute. Goalie Fernando was down on his luck as the ball slipped through his hands.

The result continued to be unfair as the first half wore on. Although it is true that the home team failed to double their lead, the rest of the offensive contributions that were experienced before half-time were made by UD Almeria, highlighting a thumping shot to the crossbar by Dyego Sousa and another one to the post by compatriot Portillo. The visitors were trailing 1-0 in the interval.

The start of the second half provided further evidence that luck was not by UD Almería’s side as Dyego Sousa and Iván Martos got injured to make matters worse. The defender suffered a knock to his knee so he had to leave the field of play on a stretcher. Ramazani and Babić took their places. After some time, in which the Rojiblancos were not successful in the final third, Lazo and Curro entered the encounter while Arnau Puigmal and Samú Costa were benched.

Things did not work out. With 79 minutes gone, Babić tried his best to block a strike from Real Zaragoza, yet his deflection found a blessed opponent, who did not hesitate to drill home and secure victory over the Andalusians (2-0).

All in all, UD Almería came away from their trip empty-handed after falling to a 2-0 defeat at La Romareda Stadium. The Maños were to blame for the end of UD Almeria’s four-game winning streak. In all honesty, the result seemed unfair according to what was witnessed on the pitch.