Almería Team News Page 5 - Soccer

Cesar Montes - Possibility for Saturday Montes (knee) appears to be an option for Saturday's match against Atletico Madrid, as manager Gaizka Garitano told reporters, "Everyone is available for selection, with the except...

Impact Montes looks to be in line for a return this week after missing the past two matches due to a knee issue. His return should not come as much of a surprise, as he was expected to get on the team sheet last week against Granada but failed a late fitness test that held him out for the contest. The defender will most likely come in snagging the starting spot at center-back if selected for the match, as he has started in the past eight games he has been available for. However, there still is a chance Aleksandar Radovanovic and Edgar Gonzalez earn the start in the middle of the defense once again, with Montes getting time off the bench to test his legs after the absence.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Adri Embarba - Registers two shots Embarba attempted two shots (one off target) and three crosses (none accurate) in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Granada.

Impact Embarba was denied both a goal and assist by two offside decisions and was unlucky to come away without an attacking return. He was effective out of possession with two out of three tackles won. The winger has been an inconsistent starter this term and is still looking for his first goal.

FEBRUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Sergio Arribas - Picks up assist Arribas registered one assist from three chances created and delivered three crosses (one accurate) in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Granada.

Impact Arribas picked up his second assist of the season when he intercepted a stray pass deep in opposition territory and found Marc Pubill. The winger ranked joint first among his teammates for chances created and has found the net six times in his first season as a first-team regular.

FEBRUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Marc Pubill Pages - Scores first La Liga goal Pubill scored with his only effort at goal, attempted four crosses (one accurate) and won two of his three tackles in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Granada.

Impact Pubill opened his La Liga account in style, picking up the ball mid-way through the opposing team's half before smashing the ball in from the edge of the area. The right-back also delivered more crosses than any other player and created one goal-scoring opportunity. He missed a large chunk of the season with a knee injury but is a certain starter when fit.

FEBRUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Luis Maximiano - Concedes once Maximiano made six saves and conceded once in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Granada.

Impact Maximiano made a succession of routine saves to help earn his side a point. The keeper has kept four clean sheets this season, all of which have come in the last 11 games, despite playing behind the league's weakest defense. He next faces a tough test against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

FEBRUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Largie Ramazani - Returns from one-game ban Ramazani completed his one-game suspension and is eligible to face Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Impact Ramazani missed the 1-1 draw against Granada, but he has been starting regularly over the last few weeks, and there's no reason to believe he won't contend for a starting role with Choco Lozano for the Atletico Madrid clash. On the season, Ramazani has three goals and four assists across 23 appearances (14 starts).

FEBRUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Leo Baptistao - Back from suspension Baptistao completed his two-game suspension and is eligible to return against Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Impact The return of Baptistao will provide a huge boost to Almeria's attacking line, as the striker had racked up two goals, 17 shots and eight chances created in his previous seven appearances (all starts) before the suspension. Baptistao should return to the starting lineup immediately ahead of Saturday's meeting with Atletico, sending Choco Lozano to the bench.

FEBRUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

ON THE LIMIT 😯 #saves #almeria

FEBRUARY 18 • YOUTUBE

Cesar Montes - Fails fitness test Montes (knee) is not in the squad to face Granada on Sunday.

Impact Montes misses out on his second straight match after failing a late fitness test Sunday. The centerback is replaced in the starting XI by Aleksandar Radovanovic.

FEBRUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Dion Lopy - Fit for bench role Lopy (undisclosed) is in the Almeria squad to face Granada on Sunday.

Impact Lopy was forced off early during last week's match against Athletic Club with an injury. The midfielder's role on the bench breaks a streak of nine straight La Liga starts.

FEBRUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Cesar Montes - Facing late fitness test Montes (knee) will be a game-time decision for Sunday's contest against Granada, the club announced Friday.

Impact Montes' status for Sunday won't be known until the club's team sheet is released, with the club stating his integration into the team will not be known until "the last moment." This comes after the defender was forced to miss the club's most recent match, having only worked on the sidelines over the past week. With the current situation, Montes will most likely only line up on the bench if selected for the team, with the club not wanting to rush him back into play after facing a late fitness test and giving the start to either Aleksandar Radovanov or the newly healthy Chumi.

FEBRUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Chumi - Good to go against Granada Chumi (undisclosed) is an option for Sunday's match against Granada, according to the club.

Impact Chumi missed out on the club's last match after going down with an undisclosed issue days before, but he is now an option again after training in a group session Friday. This is a huge boost for the club, as they now gain a regular starter back and only await Cesar Montes' recovery to have their preferred four all healthy in the defense. Chumi should be expected to return to the starting XI against Granada, as he has only missed out on a start in five of the 23 matches he has been an option for.

FEBRUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Chumi - Missed Monday's match with injury Chumi was not an option during Monday's 0-0 draw to Athletic Club with an injury, per el Diario de Almeria.

Impact Chumi sat out for the first time since Sep 26 with an undisclosed injury. Aleksander Radovanovic and Edgar Gonzalez were the center back pairing during Monday's draw in his absence and could see the starts again if the defender is ruled out for a second match in a row. He's totaled 67 clearances and 18 blocks in 21 appearances, 18 of them coming as starts.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Lucas Robertone - Returns to starting XI Robertone recorded one shot (one on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and two corners in Monday's 0-0 draw versus Athletic.

Impact Robertone was selected to the starting lineup and played 90 minutes after being unexpectedly dropped to the role of substitute in Almeria's previous match. Over the campaign, he has made 20 appearances (18 starts). Thus far, Robertone's goal scoring contributions this campaign (zero goals, five assists) lag behind last season's output of two goals and seven assists.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Aleksandar Radovanovic - Stalwart debut performance Radovanovic registered one shot (zero on goal) in Monday's 0-0 draw versus Athletic.

Impact Radovanovic was given his first opportunity to start and impress Monday. He was loaned to Almeria late in January. Radovanovic's performance was a solid in the center of defense Monday, attempting one tackle (zero won), making a block, intercepting twice, and registering 12 clearances in Almeria's clean sheet effort. If the loanee is able to string together additional strong performances, he could be a key cog in the Almeria back line for the remainder of the campaign.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Marc Pubill Pages - Six clearances in 0-0 draw Pubill registered one shot (zero on goal), five crosses (one accurate) and one chance created in Monday's 0-0 draw versus Athletic. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 3...

Impact Pubill was selected to start Monday for the sixth successive match since returning from a knee injury. He was a force defensively, contributing to Almeria's clean sheet effort with three tackles (one won), an interception, and six clearances. To compliment his defensive efforts, Pubill has attempted twenty crosses (four accurate) and created six chances since returning from injury on January 4th.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Choco Lozano - Ineffective in first start Choco Lozano recorded two shots (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Monday's 0-0 draw versus Athletic.

Impact Lozano made his first start (second appearance) since being loaned to Almeria. He was unable to help his new teammates conjure a breakthrough goal and was removed as part of a triple change in the 66th minute. In his first two appearances for Almeria, Lozano has managed just two shots on goal (one on target) and has not been credited with a chance creation. Lozano has scored just one goal in La Liga since the 2021 campaign when he netted seven.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Luis Maximiano - Clean sheet versus Bilbao Maximiano recorded four saves and secured a clean sheet in Monday's 0-0 draw against Athletic.

Impact Maximiano earned his fourth clean sheet of the campaign on Monday. This was the keeper's second clean sheet in his last five matches. Over that span, Maximiano has conceded eight goals and made nine saves. Holistically, the Almeria defense has struggled in La Liga this season, ranking at the bottom with 51 goals allowed in 24 matches. Maximiano's next opportunity will come Sunday when Almeria play Granada, who are averaging just over one goal per match in La Liga this campaign.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Last-place Almeria holds Athletic Bilbao to 0-0 draw in Spain despite Ramazani's sending off

Athletic Bilbao’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League have taken a painful hit after the Basque club could only draw 0-0 at last-place Almeria despite playing with a man a...

FEBRUARY 12 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dion Lopy - Comes off injured Lopy was forced off with an apparent injury during the second half of Monday's clash with Athletic Club.

Impact Lopy came out for the first three minutes of the second half and had to immediately come off the pitch. The midfielder was replaced by Gonzalo Melero, who could be in line for minutes in the starting XI if the injury to Lopy proves to be serious. Lopy's first chance to return is a Sunday trip to Granada.

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Largie Ramazani - Sent off Monday Ramazani was shown two yellow cards and sent off during Monday's clash with Athletic Club, he will now be suspended for a Feb. 18 trip to Granada.

Impact Ramazani is set for his second suspension of the season, this time being handed his orders for a pair of yellow cards. The forward has started in three of the last four matches and will be a tough loss in the starting XI. Adrian Embarba will likely get the start on the left wing for Sunday's trip.

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Cesar Montes - Out versus Athletic Montes (knee) is out for Monday's matchup against Athletic.

Impact Montes recently picked up a knee injury in the club's last contest against Valencia, leaving him out to face Athletic on Monday. This is somewhat of a major loss for Almeria, as the defender has started in all but three matches he has been available for this season. Marc Pubill relieves Montes of his duties at right-back Monday and will most likely continue there if he misses any more time.

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Jonathan Viera - Signs with Almeria Viera finalized an 18-month contract with Almeria on Wednesday.

Impact Viera was released by Las Palmas when the January transfer window opened and has now found a new home while staying in La Liga. With his former club, the attacking midfielder started seven of his nine appearances, recording two goals on 14 shots (six on target), one assist, 16 crosses (four accurate) and 15 corners, before sitting out the last two months in order to force a move away from the club. Now with Almeria, Viera should be in contention for a spot in the starting XI once up to match speed.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Cesar Montes - Knee injury confirmed Montes came off during Saturday's match with a knee injury, "I took a physical risk in the previous game because that's what I had to do, but today I felt that another teammate cou...

Impact Montes could not continue in the match after feeling knee discomfort. He's been getting a lot of time on the pitch of late, starting the last eight games in a row while totaling 34 clearances in that span. If the defender needs to sit out Monday, then Edgar Gonzalez could move to center back, especially with the departure of Kaiky.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Dion Lopy - Four shots against Valencia Lopy had four shots (one on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-1 loss against Valencia.

Impact Lopy has now taken seven shots in his last three appearances, including a season-high four in this one, compared to six shots across the 18 matches prior. he has played the full 90 minutes in six consecutive games as one of Almeria's first-choice holding midfielders and will continue to get opportunities to make plays at both ends.

FEBRUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

ALMERÍA NEWS

NEWS

SCHEDULE

STANDINGS

ROSTER

VIDEOS

STATS

ODDS

Last-place Almeria holds Athletic Bilbao to 0-0 draw in Spain despite Ramazani's sending off