goalless draw that benefits Almería

The 0-0 of La Rosaleda leaves everything open for the second leg of the final (Saturday the 20th at 9:00 p.m.) of the playoffs. The result, however, slightly benefits Almería, which takes a step forward in its goal of returning to the First Division, a category it lost two seasons ago. The Indálicos will achieve promotion due to their best position in the League in the event that the tie is tied at the end of a hypothetical extra time. Rubi’s team also clings to its status as a home team: it was the LaLiga Hypermotion team that scored the most points in its stadium, where it also won 10 of its last 11 games.

At Málaga, Funes revolutionized the eleven, with three changes compared to the second leg against Las Palmas. They entered Rafa Rodríguez, Aarón Ochoa and Adrián Niño, in replacement of Pacifier (second top scorer in the championship), Joaquín and Izan Merino. Rest for some of the semifinal warriors. In Almería, with the only loss of André Hortaa swap in the starting team that faced Castellón last Tuesday, with the entry of Arnau Puigmal by Leo Baptistao.

The match started vibrant. Alfonso Herrero bagged a shot embarba from the balcony of the area when only 40 seconds had been played. Almería pressed high and Málaga moved the ball quickly. In minute 4, Chirino arrived late and hit Aaron Ochoaalthough Salvador Lax Franco he forgave him the yellow. The game moved from one area to another. Rafita and Murillo They went to the ground to clear for a corner before Arnau Puigmal came to finish. In the exchange of roles, he could also be reprimanded Aaron Ochoa for a grab Chirino. The one who did see the card, in the 11th minute, was Rafiteby cutting off a promising attack by Arnau Puigmal on the right side.

A good release of the ball by Almería, started by Chirino and with Tops going down to receive, gave way to a long play that concluded with a weak and deflected shot from Dzodic. Málaga responded with a filtered pass to doctorwho gained the baseline and placed it in the center of the area, where Adrian Niño finished off centered into the hands of Andres Fernandez. Right next, lopy received from Topsvery active in the first period, and his shot went very close to the post. At half an hour, Adrian Niño He broke it inside the area and the Almería goalkeeper put his hand in to clear it for a corner. The pace did not falter, although the clash got stuck a little before the intermission. 0-0 and players to the locker room. A frenetic first half, in which Juanfran Funes’ men won possession, and with a lot of effective playing time.

The second act started with a change: he entered Joaquinscorer of the tying goal against UD, instead of Aaron Ochoa. But the first time was a visitor: Rodrigo Ely headed slightly off course after a lateral foul hanging into the area by an omnipresent Topsgreat channeler of Almería’s offensive game; while Joaquin was beginning to create danger. Rubi made a move and entered Nico Melamed to fall to the left wing, at the same time embarba I went to do it on the right.

At game time, Funes introduced Izan Merino and Pacifier. He also entered the field of play Leo Baptistao. All three had started in the semi-final second leg. In 67′, Andres Fernandez He flew to clear a great shot with a thread of Joaquin. And six minutes later, Larrubiamore imprecise than usual, a shot that the squad was looking for went very high.

There was almost no football in the final stages and the 0-0 left everything open for the return, with Malaguismo singing “yes, we can” already the 350 Almería fans moved to La Rosaleda with the feeling that they have taken a big step forward to be the ones who accompany Racing and Deportivo to the First Division. The solution, next Saturday.