A heartbreaking loss in Almería (2-1)

C.D. Leganés failed to pick up any points in their visit to U.D. Almería (2-1) in a match from Matchday 34 of LALIGA HYPERMOTION. Melero put the Pepineros ahead, but Arribas and Melamed—the latter in stoppage time—staged a comeback for the home side.

Igor Oca made as many as seven changes from last Thursday’s match against Real Zaragoza, with only Juan Soriano, Ignasi Miquel, Marvel, and Diawara remaining in the starting lineup. The Guinean, in particular, played as the third center back alongside Ignasi and Marvel, with Figueredo and Naim as wingbacks. Cissé and Melero played in central midfield, with Asue on the right, Dani Rodríguez on the left, and Diego García as the lone striker.

Melero put Leganés ahead, and Arribas equalized before halftime

Leganés had a good early chance in the 3rd minute, with a header by Asue hitting the crossbar after a save by Andrés Fernández, but the play was ruled offside. In the 12th minute, the Pepineros were rewarded for their strong start: Naim sent a free kick from the wing to the far post, Marvel headed it back into the heart of the box, and there was Melero to finish first-time and beat the home goalkeeper to make it 0-1 with his fifth goal in this league and sixth of the season overall.

Almería sought a response against a serious and organized Leganés defense, with a left-footed shot by Arribas from the edge of the box in the 25th minute that grazed the post. In the 28th minute, Lega made their first forced substitution, bringing on Duk for the injured Asue, who limped off the field. In the 31st minute, Almería equalized through Arribas, who capitalized on a through ball to make it 1-1. The teams went into halftime tied.

Melamed, in stoppage time, secured the victory for Almería

After the break, Igor Oca brought Juan Cruz into the game to replace Dani Rodríguez in the Madrid side’s second substitution. With less pace than in the first half, Leganés had no trouble in the first quarter-hour of the second half, defending with discipline and looking to break out through Diego and his passes to the wingers.

Cruz tried his luck from a free kick in the 65th minute, but his shot crashed into the wall, and later Marvel, from the resulting corner kick, sent a header wide of the goal. In the 66th minute, Álex Millán replaced Diego in Igor Oca’s third substitution, seeking to inject fresh energy into the attack. Following a possible handball by Ely that went uncalled by the referee and the VAR, Leiva and Guirao replaced Figueredo and Melero in Leganés’ final substitutions.

In stoppage time, Melamed scored on a counterattack to make it 2-1, securing the victory for Almería with a close-range shot that left Juan Soriano helpless. Leganés came close to earning a point but remains on 39 points in the standings. Their next match will be on Saturday (4:15 p.m.) at home against Albacete Balompié.