2-0: Five-star UD Almería beat Burgos CF in Rubi's 100th game

UD Almería won after 6 match weeks as they clinched their first home victory of the 2024/25 season since the previous one was in Tenerife back in August. Three vital  points given the situation in which the team found themselves but they produced a five-star performance in Rubi's 100th game. The Indálicos took the lead in the 29th minute through Luis Suárez, and in the 35th minute they were reduced to 10 when Arribas was sent off. There was still a long way to go, but UD Almería were class and showed fighting spirit to not only remain on the winning side, but to double their lead in the final minutes amid an electric atmosphere because the Stadium roared.

 

This time around, head coach Rubi opted for a starting XI with four changes compared to the previous fixture, in addition to innovating with the system. In defence, Bruno Langa replaced Centelles on the left flank; Baba and Lopy operated in the midfield, Leo Baptistao formed an offensive tandem with Luis Suárez, with Arribas and Nico Melamed on the wings. A lot of quality and eye for goal up front and security in the midfield with the Africans. With these new features, the gaffer tried to shock undefeated rivals as visitors... and things worked out. 

 

Once again, UD Almería took the game to their opponents from the off. Within 5 minutes they fashioned three clear-cut opportunities. Although Burgos CF enjoyed a few minutes of control against a UD Almeria squad that once again played with fire at certain times, Rubi's team regained momentum and in the 29th minute Luis Suárez finished off a brilliant attacking play after a superb assist from Arribas. It was 1-0. Shortly after, in the 31st minute, the same protagonists could have made it 2-0, yet the Colombian sent the ball wide when he was close to slamming it in.

 

With 35 minutes on the clock, the Indálicos'  squad went down to 10 men due to the sending-off of Arribas for making a dangerous tackle on an opponent. Initially, it was the second yellow card for the Madrid-born player, however, the VAR turned it into a straight red card. This is how half-time was reached with one less player and a whole second half to play (1-0).

 

And what a second period! UD Almería put in a meaningful, gritty display. Burgos CF had to push, and they did, but the Rojiblancos knew how to respond to the complicated situation. 

 

12 minutes after the restart, striker Luis Suárez, on a counter-attack, nearly doubled their lead 2-0, but his shot hit the goalkeeper. In the 63rd minute, Maximiano had to parry the shot to avoid a 1-1 score, and after 68 minutes, the Colombian again sent the ball high. 

 

The game was back and forth, exciting and full of uncertainty because anything could happen. However, the UDA players gave it their all and drew strength from weakness when they suffered from fatigue. A clear example was 2-0. Pozo who produced a stellar display, like his team-mates, in the 88th minute he dodged and outspeeded several rivals to fire home in spectacular fashion to out the game to bed (2-0).