3-0: UD Almería turn on the style under the Mediterraneo lights

UD Almería played a great game under the Juegos Mediterraneos lights after beating Real Zaragoza with plenty of confidence. The Rojiblancos were dominant from start to finish, creating numerous chances until they found the effectiveness in the second half to say goodbye to 2021 without having fallen even once on home turf. Apart from the Xmas spirit raised at the Mediterraneo, Sadiq, Pozo and Ramazani found the back of the net in style to the delight of the jubilant home crowd (3-0).

Some tactics were displayed during the opening forty-five minutes that clearly reflected that the Indalicos were going all out for a new victory. While the visitors lacked the cutting edge, the chances created by UD Almeria were constant but their ineffectiveness prevented Rubi’s men from getting ahead much earlier against the boys from Zaragoza, who found it hard to make their presence felt in the hosts’ box. Sadiq lobbed the keeper from close range and ended up grazing the crossbar while keeper Cristian Álvarez blocked a fine attempt by Arnau Puigmal.

The Rojiblancos’ fate would be a victory clinched in the second period. With 54 minutes gone, the Zaragoza goalie kept his team standing after making some great saves to deny a counter-attack strike across the field by Arnau and shortly after, diving to snuff out the danger at the hands of Sadiq. UD Almería were putting in a superb display by playing vertical football as all the players were very active in search of that first goal that opens the scoring. 

And that is exactly what happened. After an hour battling it out, Sadiq Umar fought to death to find space and get the ball at his feet, then a central defender went wrong when deflecting and the Nigerian attacker earned his name onto the scoresheet (1-0). The goal sparked euphoria in the stands, which also erupted again when Robertone and Ramazani entered the field. 

With the one-nil and the changes made by head coach Rubi, more goalscoring opportunities were witness one after another. The two footballers mentioned before were accompanied by Sousa and Juanjo Nieto, causing Pozo to play winger. The Sevillian contender took a leading role since he doubled his side’s lead (2-0). UD Almería were on fire at that time and 85 minutes in, Ramazani invented a well-timed shot to assist the scorer. The Juegos Mediterraneos Stadium was on the way to closing out 2021 without staging a single defeat since the current campaign kicked off, but there would still be time for the home team to extend their lead through Ramazani, 

All in all, a great game was played by the Rojiblancos on home soil again to remain LaLiga SmartBank leaders at Christmas. However, there are still two more away matches coming up, one Spanish Cup tie and the last fixture of 2021 after which UD Almeria will be able to think about the beginning of 2022.