48′
8:09 p.m
The basic approach to this game will not change. Barca has the ball, Almeria relies on the counterattack. However, if things continue to work so well for the underdogs, the Catalans will have to worry.
46′
8:07 p.m
It goes on. Barcelona made double changes at the break, Christensen and João Félix making way for Koundé and Ferran Torres. These are positional changes.
46′
8:07 p.m
Substitution at FC Barcelona: Jules Koundé
46′
8:07 p.m
Substitution at FC Barcelona: Andreas Christensen
46′
8:06 p.m
Substitution at FC Barcelona: Ferran Torres
46′
8:06 p.m
Substitution at FC Barcelona: João Félix
46′
8:06 p.m
Kick-off of the 2nd half
45′+3
19:53
Half-time conclusion:
Then it’s a break, the score is 1-1 between Barcelona and Almeria. The hosts of course have more possession of the ball, but do far too little with it. Nevertheless, it is thanks to Luís Maximiano that the guests were still in the game and managed to equalize somewhat out of nowhere. Overall, it’s a good performance from the Rojiblancos, the Catalans have to do better in the second round, otherwise this game will end in embarrassment, because that would be this draw. See you soon.
45′+3
19:51
End of 1st half
45′+2
7:50 p.m
Ramazani cleverly places a ball half-right in the penalty area for Leo Baptistão, who immediately shoots from 13 meters. The ball ultimately flies a meter to the left, but that would have been tight for Iñaki Peña. Barcelona are swimming a bit straight.
45′
7:49 p.m
There are three more minutes in the first round. Meanwhile, the extremely active Sergio Arribas comes to the right in the box, but the direct shot flies wide.
45′
7:48 p.m
Official added time (minutes): 3
44′
7:48 p.m
After a bad ball from Luís Maximiano, Akieme almost lost the ball to Gündoğan, but was still able to clear it robustly. The hosts call for a penalty, but the defender played the ball first.
43′
7:47 p.m
This is of course a blow to the neck for Barca, who finally thought they were on the right path after a long search. So in section two it probably starts all over again.
42′
7:45 p.m
Tooor for UD Almería, 1-1 by Leo Baptistão
The goal is actually given, Almeria equalizes something out of nowhere. Leo Baptistão was well sent to the penalty area by Sergio Arribas and remained ice cold with a lob, which the rushing Iñaki Peña could not reach. After VAR intervention, the goal counts, there was no offside position, that was extremely delicate.
42′
7:45 p.m
The VAR is looking at the whole thing. Was there actually an offside position?
41′
19:44
After Araújo’s inadequacy, Sergio Arribas sends Leo Baptistão into the gap, the attacker runs alone towards Iñaki Peña. He stays ice cold in front of the keeper and deftly lobs over the rushing goalkeeper into the goal. However, the flag goes up, it was probably offside.
40′
19:43
With one goal behind, Almeria are still in the game, but can now thank their keeper that this is still the case. Barca are not necessarily playing convincingly, but could still lead higher.
37′
19:41
This is another huge feat from Luís Maximiano! Édgar González misses a ball in his own penalty area, so it jumps to Lewandowski at the penalty spot. The Pole finishes after a good move to the bottom left corner, but the keeper dives down wonderfully and gets his hand on the ball. What an act.
35′
7:38 p.m
The deficit is bitter for Almeria, the guests actually had everything under control, especially defensively. How do you react to this deficit, which plays hugely into Barcelona’s hands?
33′
7:35 p.m
Great for FC Barcelona, 1-0 by Raphinha
The corner gives Barca the lead. Gündoğan brings the ball in from the right, Araújo prevails at the penalty spot and heads to the right corner. At first, Luís Maximiano was able to wipe the header away brilliantly to the side, but Raphinha was in the right place and hammered the ball under the crossbar from a few meters.
33′
7:35 p.m
Montes almost puts a long ball in front of Raphinha in his own penalty area, but he tackles the ball away just in time. There is corner.
32′
7:35 p.m
After Gündoğan collects a rebound, Sergi Roberto has some space in the half-right position. He uses this for a long-range shot because there is simply no way through the game. The attempt goes clear from 25 meters, Luís Maximiano doesn’t have to intervene.
30′
19:33
With a long ball, Lopy sends Sergio Arribas into the box on the right, who initially takes the ball down well, but is then decisively disrupted by Christensen. In the end, Iñaki Peña can pick up the play equipment.
28′
7:31 p.m
After a good combination, Sergio Arribas has a lot of space on the right, but hastily plays the ball flat into the middle. Araújo has no problems with this cross.
26′
19:29
The guests are doing well, but at the moment it’s impossible to get through. Alejandro Balde gets stuck on the left, but at least gets a corner, but it fizzles out without any significant danger.
24′
19:27
In midfield, Gündoğan plays a bad pass directly into the feet of Ramazani, who starts to sprint on the left. Iñaki Peña can then pick down the subsequent cross into the middle without any problems.
21′
19:23
Yellow card for Andreas Christensen (FC Barcelona)
Almeria plays it well from the right back, Alejandro Pozo sends Sergio Arribas well behind the high chain. Christensen has no other choice but to hold on to the attacker and is shown a yellow card for this. That would have been a good opportunity.
20′
19:22
It’s not a bad performance from the guests, who haven’t allowed anything apart from Sergi Roberto’s top chance. They also manage to put offensive pinpricks every now and then. Barca are working on taking the lead, but are having a hard time.
17′
19:21
The Catalans establish themselves in the opponent’s penalty area, Baba then separates Sergi Roberto from the ball after a long period of possession. It’s an appealing start from both teams.
15′
7:18 p.m
Yellow card for Raphinha (FC Barcelona)
Barcelona doesn’t take advantage of a free kick in the left half of the field, so Almeria counterattacks. Leo Baptistão is held up by Raphinha, who is cautioned for the tactical offense.
14′
7:16 p.m
Almeria almost came to a dangerous conclusion. A cross from the right slips through Araújo, so Ramazani gets to the ball on the left. His shot is then blocked by João Cancelo, that was important, otherwise it might have rung from nine meters.
12′
7:15 p.m
In a central position, Baba has some space and gathers his courage. The low shot from 25 meters passes safely to the left, Iñaki Peña does not have to intervene.
11′
19:14
Barcelona still gradually increases the pressure, João Cancelo finishes from the right corner of the penalty area after a hook. The central attempt is something for Luís Maximiano, who safely parries the ball.
11′
19:13
Almeria does not park the bus here, but rather pushes it out, leaving space behind the chain. Apparently people also want to become active themselves, and so far they’ve been doing quite well.
9′
19:12
The subsequent corner is also dangerous, but there is no real conclusion. It has to be said again: This was a huge feat by Luís Maximiano.
8th’
19:11
Luis Maximiano saves! After a corner from the left, Sergi Roberto is completely alone in the penalty area, that shouldn’t happen like that. He heads into the left corner from a half-right position from seven meters, but the keeper dives and wipes out the ball brilliantly.
6′
7:09 p.m
João Félix takes the free kick from the left corner of the penalty area, but puts it clearly past from 20 meters. From a good position, more would have been possible.
5′
7:08 p.m
Yellow card for Alejandro Pozo (UD Almería)
Alejandro Balde is sent into the gap on the left because Alejandro Pozo leaves it open. So he has to hold on to the Barca player on the left corner of the penalty area and is warned for it.
4′
7:07 p.m
The guests are also at the front and can hold onto the ball a bit. Ultimately, a cross from the left was simply blocked by Ramazani.
2′
7:04 p.m
With a long ball, Araújo finds Raphinha on the right, who immediately passes it flat into the middle. But there is only Montes there who can clarify.
1′
19:02
Then the ball starts rolling. Almeria kicked off.
18:58
At this moment, the teams enter the pitch together with referee Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez. The game can begin in a few minutes.
6:49 p.m
The last time they met last season they did this wonderfully, with Almeria picking up a very flattering 1-0 win. Overall, the statistics also speak in favor of Barcelona; the Catalans have won seven of the last eight games. Who manages to have a reconciliatory end to the end of the year?
6:36 p.m
This actually also applies to the other side, but the situation is different. Almeria is last in the table, they only have five points and are nine points behind the saving bank. The situation is already almost hopeless; the Rojiblancos recently managed two 0-0 draws out of three league games. Today, too, the goal for the guests is to avoid conceding a goal for as long as possible.
18:22
Actually it should be a clear matter for Barca today, they are the big favorites in this game. However, the Catalans are going through a small phase of weakness and have slipped to fourth place in the league, already nine points behind surprise table leaders Girona. FCB have been winless for three games now, defeats against Girona and in the premier class against Antwerp followed by a draw against Valencia. A threesome has to be successful today.
6:07 p.m
To start, let’s take a look at the lineups. At Barcelona, coach Xavi is making three changes compared to the last game. Christensen, Sergi Roberto and Fermín López come into the starting line-up for Koundé, de Jong and Pedri. The Dutchman is missing due to a yellow card suspension, Pedri cannot take part due to an injury, as can Ter Stegen, Gavi and Marcos Alonso. On the other hand, Almeria coach Gaizka Garitano is also rotating, but only in two positions. Robertone, who is serving a yellow card suspension, and Adrián Embarba will be replaced by Baba and Ramazani. The guest hospital is also packed with Gonzalo Melero, Koné and Milovanović, among others.
17:54
Welcome to the 18th matchday in LaLiga, where FC Barcelona and UD Almeria face each other. Kick-off at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys is at 7:00 p.m.!