1-1: UD Almería wrap up pre-season training camp with a draw
The Rojiblancos played against a solid Primera RFEF Algeciras CF squad before ending their boot camp in Marbella. Rubi fielded two different Starting XIs in each half. Léo Baptistão scored the equaliser for the Indálicos
UD Almería drew with a solid third-tier Primera RFEF Algeciras CF team in the 5th pre-season game played at La Quinta Sports Center in Marbella, where the Rojiblancos have been training for 10 days. In fact, with this friendly, they have put an end to the boot camp and return to Almeria city, where they will continue their preparation period. For now, Friday will be a day off, while they will be training on the Anexo pitch on Saturday. Rubi's side will play the 'Carabela de Plata' Trophy against FC Cartagena at the Cartagonova Stadium this Sunday.
It was an uphill battle for UD Almería at the beginning since within a minute of play saw their opponents take the lead (0-1). It was a quick play in which their striker, Rodrigo Escudero, received a quick deep pass and beat Bruno Iribarne between the sticks. After a start with plenty of end-to-end activity, little by little Rubi's boys overcame the pressure and intensity of Algeciras CF to have the ball, take more of the initiative and end up thoroughly dominating, although with few really clear goal chances. The accumulated workload and the sweltering heat also had an influence… on both Andalusian outfits, but the motivation was higher in the lower-tier team.
In the second half, gaffer Rubi made 8 changes at the start to later bring on two more players, so the XI was totally different except for the presence in goal of Bruno Iribarne, who remained throughout the game. The UD Almería squad was refreshed because they put more and better pressure on their summer adversaries.
They knew how to play with clear ideas and verticality and as a consequence of this the equaliser came 3 minutes after the restart in a set-piece play by Rubi's team that would be finished by Baptistão. The Brazilian received an assist from Arribas after winning the ball back thanks to Gonzalo Melero. The Indálicos reigned superior over this second half, they bossed things, had control and created several clear dangerous situations to have achieved the victory, although in these matches the result is the least important, especially when it was a good test due to the fighting spirit of Algeciras CF.
Match information
UD Almería: Bruno Iribarne; Pozo (Arnau Puigmal, 45'), René (Chumi, 68'), Radovanović (Kaiky, 45') Bruno Langa (Alex Centelles, 45'); Marcos Peña (Edgar, 68'), Robertone (Melero, 45'), Valen (Léo Baptistão, 45'), Gui Guedes (Arribas, 45'), Ramazani (Nico Melamed, 45'); and Koné (Rachad, 45').
Algeciras CF: Lucho García, Rafa Roldán, Alex Coch, Lautaru Marco, Tomás Sánchez, Eric Montes, Iván Turrillos, Javi Alonso, Diego Esteban, Rodrigo Escudero and Alvaro Leyva. Javier Gómez, Luis Gonzaga, Ángel López, Arnau Gaixas, Javier Cueto and Domínguez also played.
Goals: 0-1 (1'). Rodrigo Escudero receives a deep pass and scores within the box. 1-1 (48'). Melero wins the ball back, passes it to Arribas, who assists Léo Baptistão, who entered the area and scored.
Referee: Abraham Domínguez Cervantes, from the Andalusian Referees association (Málaga).
Observations: UD Almería's 5th pre-season match played at La Quinta sports center in Marbella, where the Rojiblancos were put through their paces in a 10-day training camp. The team wore their dark green away kit. It was scorching hot.
