2-1: Almeria endure a painful loss against leaders
The rojiblancos took the lead at the beginning, but also scored an own goal. The team pulled their socks up until the final whistle and did not deserve to lose
Almeria endure a painful loss against leaders Cádiz CF. The rojiblancos pull their socks up until the final whistle, deserving not to lose. They even went ahead on the scoreboard scoring an early opener by Jose Corpas, but unfortunately they also scored an own goal making it 1-1. In the second-half, Almeria controlled the ball and created chances, although Cadiz managed to untie after 60 minutes.
José María Gutiérrez picked a starting eleven with some changes in comparison with the previous matchday due to the team absences and players who were available again. In this sense, Balliu and Iván Martos played as left-back and right-back; César de la Hoz accompanied by Aguza were the double pivot; Appiah was left-winger end and Vada was the attacking midfielder. For the rest, the same as in the game against Fuenlabrada: Fernando defended the goal; Maras and David Costas played as centre-backs; the aforementioned Aguza in the midfield; Corpas on the right flank, and high up on the pitch, Darwin Núñez.
With this starting lineup, Almeria faced a demanding and difficult game in the race for promotion. After five match weeks failing to win, they were looking forward to defeating the leaders who suffered two consecutive losses.
Almeria went out on the pitch calm and feeling confident, creating many chances. As a result, in the 10th minute Corpas made it 0-1 after being assisted by Vada, Aguza and Darwin Núñez, who sent the ball into the box helping the Jiennense to find the net after a first save by the goalie from Cadiz. However, Cádiz tied after 16 minutes thanks to an own goal by Maras when the player was aiming to clear a cross from the left.
It was a nill-nill draw when the Rojiblancos lost possession of the ball and it was the Gaditanos who had more ball possession and options in the game because our contenders, unlike at the beginning, had a hard time having the ball. In any case, the team from Almeria defended deep until reaching half-time.
During the second-half, a quick goal from Alex Fernandez made it 2-1 for Cadiz. The Almeria team reacted and in the 61st minute, Jonathan Silva, who went on the pitch replacing Appiah, hit the post. The score could have been 2-2. José María Gutiérrez included Juan Muñoz in 62nd minute to reinforce the attack seeking the goal.
Almeria kept trying hard; competed fiercely and never gave up, but Cadiz were stronger and it was impossible to beat them. Ñ