Second consecutive defeat at the Gran Canaria Stadium. UD Las Palmas could not score this Sunday against Almería, who took all the loot on the day of the returns of Jonathan Viera and Pepe Mel. The only goal that went up on the scoreboard was scored by Baptistao in the first half (0-1). This score comes before the FIFA break and prior to the visit to FC Barcelona, on March 30th.
The match started with an almost immediate setback for the yellows, which would prove decisive on an afternoon that brought together 22,865 spectators at the Siete Palmas venue. Almería found themselves ahead on the scoreboard after 13 minutes, successfully completing a counterattack by Leo Baptistao. Ramazani had broken through the last local line on the right and passed a golden ball that his teammate capitalized on against Valles.
The Andalusian team then appeared dangerous when attacking vertically. Baptistao had another chance in a one-on-one against the local goalkeeper in the 17th minute, but this time the forward missed the ball when crossing paths with Perrone.
UD Las Palmas couldn't find their passing lines, and their game dissolved against an organized opponent. It took the yellows 20 minutes to take the initiative in the game with their usual football, thus regaining control of the match. They managed to create up to four high-risk plays before halftime, although none of them ended up in the nets of the Portuguese goalkeeper Maximiano.
Sandro was the most incisive in those actions. At 23 minutes, he managed to enter the area with a low shot that Almería's goalkeeper cleared with his foot. In the 29th minute, Sandro again crossed a set piece towards the area. The ball flew dangerously, but missed the post without a teammate to finish.
The next player in the series of opportunities was Javi Muñoz, at 35 minutes. Munir enabled him with a measured pass. But the play ended with another cross-shot by the woodwork. And finally, Sandro again found a chance after a diagonal action from the left. However, in the 38th minute, the forward shot softly without finding the base of Maximiano's post.
With 0-1, both teams went to halftime. Although in the first minute of the second half, there could have been changes as Sandro scored a goal with a chip, but it was disallowed for offside at the start of the action.
García Pimienta made changes to give depth to the team, which insisted with great determination throughout the second half. The best chances for the Canaries were rejected by goalkeeper Maximiano, who became the best player for his team. They were works of Kirian, with a volley, and Sandro, with a shot next to the post, in the 59th and 75th minutes. The goalkeeper was alert in the plays to repel the two powerful shots.
Las Palmas did not ease off until the 95th minute of the game. But all their attempts were thwarted by a defense-focused opponent and an inspired goalkeeper.