UD Almería to pack up memories and weapons for exciting voyage
Rivals with impeccable pedigree. Spanish teams from the Mediterranean coast. A season of strong emotions with some interesting facts beckons…
Mare Nostrum. It will not be possible to conquer the top of LaLiga Hypermotion without dominating the shores of the Mediterranean due to the idiosyncrasy of this upcoming season in the second tier of Spanish football. It is one of the campaigns with the largest number of teams in this area, in which the sea, as it is said, is calm, navigable and shallow. However, football-wise it is another story. The Logbook of so many clubs is full of cross-outs and erases. The Mediterranean currents will describe the movements on the table...and the journey in Segunda is never what it seems.
So far, there will be at least 7 sides that will play their home games under the Mediterranean breeze: Cádiz CF, FC Cartagena, Elche CF, CD Eldense, Levante UD, CD Castellón and UD Almería. The number could be increased to 10; should Nástic or Málaga CF moved up to Segunda and Barça 'B' will play against Córdoba CD without forgetting that RCD Espanyol could repeat. Almost half of the 22 clubs in the tier.
Beyond the geographical location, the empowerment of this Segunda Division is enormous. UD Almería know perfectly each of the profiles they will meet again every seven days except for one case: CD Eldense. There are no precedents. The Nuevo Pepico Amat Stadium will join the Rojiblancos' history this term.
The adventure contains interesting facts. For instance, after 17 consecutive years, there will be no Madrid-based outfit to face. Just as it is striking that there could be, in total, 5 teams from Andalusia in the the second division, which is important given the fact that the travelling Andalusian fans will have both home and away games not far away as long as the dates and kick-off times are suitable.
During this marathon of 42 Matchdays there will be time to remember anecdotes and bring memories back to life. Each one will have their own. 'That season in…' or 'I remember it like it was yesterday…. Fans do not turn years but seasons. This will be the 23rd consecutive time in LFP and the 14th in Segunda. In these play-offs of eternal promotions in lower tiers it is worth not forgetting it and of course, value it.
The Rojiblancos will return to 'Riazor' where UD Almería achieved a historic victory in the top flight. The journey to Sardinero in Santander will evoke the carousel of emotions of a 1-3 in favour - a hat-trick by Charles - that became a 3-3 and that Soriano solved in the form of triumph with a goal in the Cesarini zone. Albacete Balompié and a 'Carlos Belmonte' without spectators in the first post Covid-19 match held behind closed doors. With no other team have we exchanged more penalty flags than with Elche CF -31 encounters-. 'La Romareda' Stadium in Málaga, legendary. When is the schedule for the derby against Granada CF? UD Almería will face League champions, Cup champions and UEFA champions, among others. Meanwhile, the rivals will face one of the last teams to lift the title and showcase the silverware, UD Almería. The voyage is fast approaching...fasten your seatbelts.