La Liga's penultimate fixture on Saturday pitted Almeria against Deportivo La Coruna at the Juegos Mediterraneos.
Both sides had chances in an open and entertaining first period, but neither could make the breakthrough.
Almeria were reduced to 10 men early in the second period when Thievy Bifouma was dismissed for a second bookable offence, before Michel Macedo also saw red late on, but Depor could not make use of their two-man advantage as the match finished goalless.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos as Almeria welcome Deportivo La Coruna for what is a key match in the bottom half of the table. Right, before we get down to the facts and figures, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
TEAMS
ALMERIA: Julian; Michel, Mauro, Trujillo, Dubarbier; Verza, Corona; Silva, Soriano, Thievy; Hemed
DEPOR: Fabricio; Juanfran, Insua, Sidnei, Luisinho; Bergantinos, Borges; Rodriguez, Lucas, Cuenca; Riera
So there we have it. On-loan Arsenal attacker Wellington Silva returns to the Almeria XI this evening, while experienced midfielder Fernando Soriano is also included. As expected, Tomer Hemed leads the line for the hosts, with Thievy Bifouma supporting from a wide area. Almeria's squad is one of the smallest in the division, which explains the lack of changes week-by-week!
Depor, meanwhile, will seemingly line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Celso Borges and Alex Bergantinos will hold the midfield, with Jose Rodriguez, Lucas Perez and Isaac Cuenca providing support to lone forward Oriol Riera. Juan Dominguez and Luis Farina, however, are both on the bench.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Almeria have won three of the last five matches, with Depor also winning once and the further clash ending in a draw. The reverse match earlier this season ended in a 1-0 Almeria win, but the two teams have not met in this stadium since April 2012, when Almeria claimed all of the points with a 2-0 success. Will there be a repeat of that here?
El #DÉPOR calienta en Almería #DaleDÉ pic.twitter.com/m6aJsnazNI
— R.C.Deportivo (@RCDeportivo) February 28, 2015
As it stands, Almeria sit 16th in the table on 23 points. They are just one point outside of the bottom three, however, following Levante's win over Granada last Monday. Almeria were in the relegation zone at the end of January, but they have taken seven points from their last four matches. Indeed, last weekend's 3-0 loss at Atletico Madrid was their first defeat in the league since the end of January.
Incredibly, Almeria have the seventh-best away record in the league this season – winning five of their 13 matches, which is more than Villarreal and the same number as fourth-place occupants Valencia. It has been a completely different story at home, however, with Almeria winning just one of their 11 games and collecting just seven points, which is quite comfortably the worst record in the league.
Depor, meanwhile, will enter this match in 15th – just one spot and one point above their opponents this evening. A strong run at the end of January saw the newly-promoted club move away from danger – with wins over Rayo Vallecano and Eibar and a draw against Granada. However, they have since lost back-to-back games against Real Madrid and Celta Vigo without scoring. Can they bounce back here?
It is difficult to put into words just how important this game is for Depor. After this one, they welcome Sevilla before travelling to Valencia – two matches that they will not expect too much from. Their away form has not been absolutely disastrous – taking nine points, but they have only scored six goals on their travels, which is the lowest number in the division. Right, kickoff is fast approaching here.
PREDICTION! In truth, I am finding it really difficult to separate these two sides tonight. Almeria are probably just about the favourites, but their home form this season has been so poor. I am going to somewhat sit on the fence and back a 1-1 draw, which would not really suit either side.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It is a massive game in the bottom half of the table here. The home side get the first 45 minutes of action underway.
So, it is the worst home team in La Liga against the team that has scored the fewest away goals this season. Anyone for a dull game? Let's hope not! Fairly bitty opening two minutes - as expected.
CHANCE! Oh my good grief! Almeria come close to taking the lead as Hemed produces a stunning bicycle kick inside the box, but Fabricio makes an instinctive save. Sensational from both!
It must be said that the pitch is in wonderful condition - one of the best in the league that is for certain. It is not a full house, but there is still a good atmosphere tonight. Almeria are making the early running here, with Depor forced to defend their own half for most of the opening four minutes.
It has been all Almeria in the opening six minutes, with Thievy a threat in a wide area. Verza attempts to slide a pass into the winger, but it just has too much weight. The hosts are down the opposite side moments later, but Dos Santos's cross is too strong. Very positive start from the home side tonight.
Lucas Perez tries his luck for the away side after finding space in a wide area, but his effort, which almost produced a decent cross, was always moving behind. First sign of Depor intent there.
Sidnei almost puts his own goalkeeper in trouble with a short back-pass, but Fabricio manages to clear. Deportivo are down the other end moments later as Riera finds space before delivering into the box, but Corona just turns behind for a corner. Well, it has been a lively opening 10 minutes in Almeria.
Half-chance for Borges this time as the Depor midfielder collects a super pass from Insua, but Michel just does enough to make the challenge. Still no goals, but plenty happening in the final third.
Half-chance for Riera as the Depor striker turns inside the box, but his effort was never troubling Julian in the Almeria goal. The visitors have just started to make their attacking presence known here.
CHANCE! Depor are working very hard in wide areas at the moment, with Cuenca doubling up on Silva down the Almeria right. The hosts force a corner as Sidnei heads behind and Trujillo meets the resulting set piece, but Fabricio is on hand to make the save. Still plenty happening here.
Depor are offering a threat in the final third, but the two best chances have fallen to Almeria.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Deportivo as Riera meets a cross from the right, but his low effort brings a super save from Julian. We have a very good game on our hands here that is for certain!
Really good spell for the visitors in the last five or so minutes, with Almeria finding it difficult to push forward in the manner that they did in the early exchanges. Still goalless with 22 minutes played.
BOOKING! Luisinho (Depor) is booked for a late challenge on Silva. First card of the match.
It is Corona with the resulting free kick, but Insua turns behind for an Almeria corner.
Half-chance for Depor this time as Jose Rodriguez meets a low cross from Juanfran, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. Still goalless, but it has been a really good game thus far.
Bergantinos is next to come close for Depor, but his low effort from inside the box is turned behind for another corner. Almeria manage to scramble clear following a period of pin-ball inside the box.
BOOKING! Thievy (Almeria) is booked for a high challenge on Juanfran.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last few minutes following a couple of late challenges. It has all gone a little scrappy, which is a shame. It has been entertaining thus far.
Almeria have just managed to regain some control in the final third, with Hemed threatening from yet another corner, but Fabricio is on hand to punch clear. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and the score is still goalless. It has been a lot better than many expected though!
CHANCES! Incredible chance for the away side as Borges is allowed to walk into the Almeria box, but his final effort is straight at the goalkeeper. Lucas Perez picks up the pieces, but Riera eventually fires high and wide of the crossbar. Depor really should be ahead here there is no question about that.
Lucas Perez tries his luck for Depor once again, but his effort was always wide of the post.
I think it would be fair to say that many expected this to be a pretty poor game, but that has not been the case. Both sides have had chances, but somehow the score is still 0-0 as we approach the break.
Lucas Perez remains a real threat for the away side, but the Spaniard has been caught offside twice in the last couple of minutes. Depor are the better team at the moment there is no doubt about that.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Almeria as Thievy collects a poor clearance from Insua, but his strike from the edge of the box just whistles wide of the post. Should be doing better there!
Both sides have had chances to open the scoring this evening, but we are still level at 0-0. It has been a very entertaining 0-0 thus far though. Not too much football remaining in the first period here.
Half-chance for the away side as Cuenca works some space in a wide area before unleashing one towards goal, but Julian is on hand to make another smart save. A goal here would be massive.
SAVE! Julian then denies Riera from a point-blank header inside the box.
BOOKING! Rodriguez (Depor) is booked for a foul on Silva.
HALF-TIME: Almeria 0-0 Deportivo
How on earth is this game still goalless?! I thought that we would have a dull and drab affair here, but it has been anything but. Both sides have had glorious chances to open the scoring, but neither has been able to put the ball in the back of the net. More of the same+goals in the second half please!
STATS! Depor have just shaded the possession with 58%, while they have had an incredible 15 attempts - six of which have been on target. Almeria, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their seven attempts. There have also been three bookings during what has been a feisty first 45 minutes.
BENCH WATCH! Almeria boss Martinez has a number of attacking options on his bench this evening, with the likes of Espinosa, Mendez and Zongo all in reserve. Depor, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Farina, Dominguez and Medunjanin. Will either manager make a change at the break?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Surely we will have a goal before the night is out? It is the away side that get the second 45 minutes underway here.
No changes from either manager at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains level for the next 20, 25 minutes in Almeria.
Half-chance for Soriano as the Almeria midfielder finds a pocket of space outside the box, but his low effort was always moving wide of the post. Could the first goal win it here? More than likely.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for the home side as a loose save from Fabricio presents the ball straight to Dos Santos inside the box, but the centre-back fires into the side netting when he had options in the middle. It was Verza's initial effort that had been palmed clear by the Depor stopper.
Depor have another half-chance as Lucas Perez collects a pass from Riera, but his effort was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Still plenty of opportunities, but no goals thus far here.
Another half-chance for the away side as Borges strikes a free kick from outside the box, but it is fairly comfortable for Julian in the Almeria goal. Somehow this game is still goalless. Incredible really.
CHANCE! Another incredible chance for the away side as Borges curls a wonderful ball into Riera, who controls with his chest before striking, but his effort is deflected high of the crossbar.
RED CARD! THIEVY! Almeria are reduced to 10 men as Thievy is handed a second yellow card for swinging an arm into the face of Juanfran. Thievy was booked for a similar incident in the first period and has now been dismissed. For me, that is very, very harsh. Hardly any contact there.
Poor reaction from Juanfran there. Very poor indeed. Almeria play on with 10 here.
Lucas Perez has another chance as he races onto a long ball, but his effort is wide of the post. Perez has had about 200 chances tonight - maybe not 200, but you get my point. Still goalless here.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and somehow the score is still 0-0. Both managers will surely be considering changes, especially Almeria after going down to 10 men moments ago.
You just get the feeling that one goal will be enough to win this match, but Depor's finishing in particular has been awful this evening there is no question about that. Almeria really need Hemed to take the pressure off in the final third, but the striker is losing the physical battle at the moment.
Lucas Perez - again - has an opportunity, but - again - strikes straight at Julian.
Depor are preparing to make their first change, with Costa the player stripped and ready.
SUB! The change is made as Costa replaces Rodriguez.
Depor have been in control of the possession since Almeria went down to 10 men, but it has been the same old story in the final third - too many missed opportunities. Still we wait for the first goal as Riera fires high and wide of the crossbar. Edgar Mendez is ready to enter for the hosts here.
SUB! Edgar Mendez replaces Silva for the hosts.
The away side remain on the front foot as Luisinho flashes a cross towards Riera, but the striker does not make contact as Almeria survive once more. Lucas Perez - that very man - has another effort moments later, but his effort sails wide of the post. That is about 10 attempts from Perez now!
Edgar Mendez has been nice and bright for the home side since entering, but Cuenca has worked very hard in a wide area for the visitors. It is a fascinating battle with 71 minutes on the clock here.
BOOKING! Edgar Mendez (Almeria) is booked for handball.
Edgar Mendez is again down the right for the home side, but his low cross is cleared by Sidnei as Depor break forward once again. Still goalless with little over 15 minutes remaining. Will we have a winner?
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with Almeria fairly comfortable in dealing with the pressure from the visitors. It really is incredible that this match is still goalless.
Almeria are struggling to offer an attacking threat at the moment, with Soriano's legs not moving too quickly in the middle of the park. Edgar Mendez has been inventive, but the Spaniard has lacked support in the final third. It really is Depor's game to go and win tonight from this position.
Couple more half-chances for the away side, but Julian palms clear a dangerous cross from Cuenca, before Bergantinos fires wide of the post. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining here.
SUB! Almeria make their second change as Thomas replaces Soriano.
SUB! Depor also make their second change as Farina replaces Cuenca.
Not too much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment as we approach the final five minutes. At this stage, a point tonight would be a better result for Almeria than it would for Depor.
Segundo cambio en el Mediterráneo para el #DÉPOR, entra Luis Fariña por Cuenca. U.D. Almería 0-0 Deportivo #DaleDÉ pic.twitter.com/yPMFfjhNcU
— R.C.Deportivo (@RCDeportivo) February 28, 2015
Deportivo have had 25 attempts tonight. Yes, 25. But still no goal! Incredible!
BOOKING! Borges (Deportivo) is booked for a late challenge on Verza.
SUB! Depor make their third change as Medunjanin replaces Bergantinos.
Little under five minutes of normal time remaining and still the score is goalless. Depor continue to look the most likely, but another deep cross from Riera is cleared by Dos Santos.
SUB! Almeria make their third change as Zongo replaces Corona.
Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Malaga against Getafe - be sure to remain with me for that one. Right, we are close to stoppage time at the end of the second half.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes in Almeria.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last minute or two, with Almeria slowing the play in the final third. Depor are going to kick themselves if they cannot find a late, late winner here.
BOOKING! Michel (Almeria) is booked for an arm on Farina.
RED CARD! MICHEL! Almeria are now down to nine men as Michel continues his arguments with the referee, who produces another yellow. Incredible scenes here!
Almeria have nine men for the final couple of minutes here.
Untidy end to the match as Verza and Lucas Perez both get their handbags out.
FULL-TIME: Almeria 0-0 Deportivo
So there we have it. Nine-man Almeria hold on to claim a point in an entertaining 0-0 draw with Deportivo. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
