1-0: UD Almería exit Spanish Cup at hands of UD Barbastro

UD Almería were eliminated in the Spanish Cup second round after losing 1-0 to Segunda RFEF side UD Barbastro. The Rojiblancos were surprised by very brave opponents, especially in the dying embers. The hole team took the lead in the 28th minute, but there was no reaction despite the changes made by the UD Almería gaffer, who in the second half was bringing in the 'LaLiga players.' 

Gaizka Garitano opted for a totally different startijg XI to the one that took on Betis on the last Matchday. One of the highlights was the presence of UD Almería 'B' team Marciano and Rachad. However, UD Almería did not look at all comfortable from the off because although they had the possession and control of the ball, they could not find a way to overcome brave Segunda RFEF opponent. UD Barbastro warned with a header after a corner that was denied by Mariño. 

UD Almería seemed to be gradually shaking off the discomfort caused by the hosts, and also the bad conditions of the pitch, and in the 26th minute, they squandered the only chance of the first half. Lázaro finished off with a shot that grazed the post.

The surprise came shortly after, in the 28th minute when Óscar González took a free-kick, Mingotes headed into the centre of the area, and there, Franc Carbonell, also with a header, beat the visitor's defence and opened the scoring 1-0. 

At the beginning of the second half, Gaizka Garitano made three changes, bringing on Pozo for Mendes, Arribas for Marciano and Léo Baptistão for Rachad. The team came out with another mentality, much more intense and vertical, to such an extent that one minute after the restart, Baptistão could have been awarded a penalty and the Brazilian then hit the post with a shot after a cross from Alex Centelles. 

UD Almería were in charge, although with 55 minutes on the clock, a mistake by Kaiky could have cost them the second goal. The gaffer continued making substitutions with Robertone coming on and Baba and Chumi were centre-backs. The team was different and went all out for the comeback, however the boys from Huesca did not make it easy by any means, quite the opposite. In fact, the minutes passed and UD Almería were still trailing, which motivated that Gaizka Garitano made the fifth substitution, bringing on Ramazani in the 69th minute, replacing Arnau Puigmal.

UD Barbastro created more danger taking advantage of errors from a UD Almería squad that, despite trying hard, could not level it up.  With 1-0 result and the Spanish Cup elimination of the Rojiblancos.

Match información 

UD Barbastro: Arnau; José Val, Edu Mingotes, Jaime Ara, Isra García (Fernando Arnedillo 85'), Carbonell; Javier López, Rausell (Solueymane Sibide, 62'); Hugo Bautista (Antonio Crespo, 62'), Adriá de Mesa (Marc Prat, 62') and Oscar González (Jaime Requés, 90'). 

UD Almería: Mariño; Mendes (Pozo, 45'), Chumi, Kaiky (Roberton, 55'), Sparkles; Lopy, Baba; Marciano (Arribas, 45'), Arnau Puigmal (Ramazani, 69'), Lázaro and Rachad (Léo Baptistão, 45'). 

Referee: Víctor García Verdura, from the Catalan referees association. He booked Enrique Rausell, Carbonell, Israel García, José Val, Antonio Crespo, Marc Prat and Jaime Ara, from UD Barbastro, as well as Ramazani and Edgar, this one for protesting from the bench. 

Goals: 1-0 (28'). Franc Carbonell, header, after a set-piece by UD Barbastro.

Observations: Copa del Rey second-round match tie played at the Barbastro Municipal Sports Field, which registered a sold-out stadium with about 3,000 spectators attending.