ALMERÍA NEWS

Sergio Arribas - Logs assist versus Barcelona Arribas delivered an assist, had two shots on goal, created two chances, sent in three crosses (one accurate), made six tackles (two won) and drew six fouls during Wednesday's 3-2...

Impact Arribas was one of his team's top performers here as he not assisted Leo Baptistao for Almeria's first goal in the 41st minute but put up a very well-rounded performance, contributing even when his side didn't have the ball by posting a game-high six tackles. This was the first assist of the season for Arribas, who's his team's leading scorer with five goals over 18 appearances.

DECEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leo Baptistao - Scores versus Barcelona Baptistao scored a goal off two shots (one on target) and created one chance during Wednesday's 3-2 loss against Barcelona.

Impact Baptistao found the back of the net for the second goal over the last three matches, this time scoring his side's first goal by beautifully chipping the ball over the goalkeeper after picking up a great through pass in the 41st minute. That's now four goals this season for the striker, tied for second-most of his team.

DECEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Luis Maximiano - Makes eight saves versus Barcelona Maximiano made eight saves and conceded three goals during Wednesday's 3-2 loss against Barcelona.

Impact Maximiano had a great performances despite of the three goals allowed as he made a season-high eight saves, some of them being miraculous. If the final score suggests a way closer contests than it really was, it's only because of the goalkeeper, who was already coming off keeping two clean sheets over the previous three contests. With Almeria sitting last on the standings, they would need Maximiano to keep doing his part to have any chance of staving off relegation during the second half of the season.

DECEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Iddrisu Baba - Picks up fifth yellow card Baba picked up his fifth yellow card and will be suspended for the Jan. 4 match against Osasuna once the league resumes following the Christmas break.

Impact Baba has been in and out of the starting lineup, and he will be suspended for the first game of the calendar year while also being booked for the third time over his last four appearances. The absence of Baba will be somewhat offset by the fact that Lucas Robertone will return from a one-game suspension of his own to bolster the team's midfield depth. Baba should be eligible to face Girona on Jan. 14.

DECEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lucas Robertone - Completes one-game suspension Robertone completed his one-game suspension and will be eligible to face Osasuna on Jan. 4 once the league resumes following the Christmas break.

Impact Robertone has been a regular starter for Almeria this season, so his return is certainly a welcome sight for a struggling team that doesn't have a lot of depth in midfield. Robertone is likely to move back into the starting lineup right away when Almeria take on Osasuna in the first game of the new year.

DECEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Barcelona needs late goal to beat last-place Almeria 3-2 in Spanish league and end winless streak

Barcelona has earned a hard-fought 3-2 win over last-place Almeria to end a three-game winless streak and regain third place in the Spanish league

DECEMBER 20, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Edgar Gonzalez - Busy defensively versus Mallorca Gonzalez made two tackles (one won), four clearances, five interceptions and one block while helping his side to keep a clean sheet during Sunday's scoreless draw against Mallorca.

Impact Gonzalez was solid as usual at the heart of the defense, being very disruptive and make life difficult for opposing forwards here, certainly one of the biggest reasons why his side was able to shut the opposition down for the second time over the last three matches. Over this stretch, the center-back racked up six tackles, eight interceptions and 10 clearances so his team will need him to keep it up during Wednesday's visit to Barcelona.

DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Adri Embarba - Active display versus Mallorca Embarba had two off-target shots, created two chances, sent in seven crosses (one accurate) and suffered three fouls during Sunday's scoreless draw against Mallorca.

Impact Embarba couldn't put to an end his drought of both goals and assists for this season but once again it wasn't for lack of trying as the winger was one of the few productive players for his team on the attacking end. With eight shots, five chances created and 29 crosses over his last five starts, Embarba shouldn't take that much to open his scoring account, but Wednesday's visit to Barcelona doesn't look like a good occasion for betting on him.

DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leo Baptistao - Takes three shots versus Mallorca Baptistao had three shots (one on target) and created two chances during Sunday's scoreless draw against Mallorca.

Impact Baptistao couldn't score as he did on the previous match but was once again Almeria's biggest threat up front with another team high in shots attempted while also creating a pair of occasions for teammates. The forward started in each of the last eight matches, with three goals, 21 shots and seven chances created accumulated during this span.

DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Luis Maximiano - Keeps clean sheet versus Mallorca Maximiano made two saves and kept a clean sheet during Sunday's scoreless draw against Mallorca.

Impact Maximiano made a nice job when called into action but was also largely helped by the opposition's lack of accuracy in front of the net. With both of his clean sheets from this season coming over his last three starts, the goalkeeper is trending up right now, but Wednesday's visit to Barcelona could be a way tougher challenge.

DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gonzalo Melero - Ruled out with calf injury Melero (calf) is not on the team sheet for Wednesday's trip versus Barcelona.

Impact Melero will miss another match with his same calf injury that ruled him out on Dec 10. With Lucas Robertone missing through suspension, either Arnau Puigmal or Largie Ramazani are options to start in the attack for Wednesday's trip to Barcelona.

DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lucas Robertone - Won't face Barcelona Robertone picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and is suspended to face Barcelona on Wednesday. He also departed Sunday's 0-0 draw against Mallorca with an apparent injury...

Impact Robertone has been a regular starter for Almeria and has featured in the XI in all but one of their matches, so his absence will leave a considerable void in midfield, regardless of whether he plays as a central midfielder or in a more advanced position. Almeria's medical staff also needs to assess the status of his potential injury, but either way, his earliest chance to return will come against Osasuna on Jan. 4 in the first game of the new year for his team.

DECEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gonzalo Melero - Cleared for Mallorca match Melero (calf) is expected to be an option for Sunday's match against Mallorca, the team confirmed Saturday.

Impact Melero is in the team sheet for Almeria and is expected to be an option for their match on Sunday after training Saturday ahead of the contest. There is a chance the midfielder gets the starting nod in his return after a string of six starts earlier this season, but he will most likely end up as an option off the bench, not wanting to be rushed back after just reaching full fitness.

DECEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Adri Embarba - Launches 10 crosses Embarba generated 10 crosses (zero accurate) and 11 corners in Sunday's 2-1 loss versus Atletico Madrid.

Impact Embarba logged in a season high of crosses to bring his average per match to 5.7. With 86 on the season, the midfielder has the fifth most in the league while also managing 13 starts in 15 appearances thus far.

DECEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leo Baptistao - Scores in loss Baptistao scored one goal to go with six shots (two on target), one cross (zero accurate) and one chance created in Sunday's 2-1 loss against Atletico Madrid.

Impact Baptistao scored the only goal for Almeria Sunday that resulted in a loss. He has been able to start his last eight appearances in a row, totaling three goals on 20 shots (eight on target), 11 crosses (one accurate) and 13 tackles in that span.

DECEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Luis Maximiano - Two saves in loss Maximiano made two saves and allowed two goals in Sunday's 2-1 loss against Atletico Madrid.

Impact Maximiano has now allowed eight goals in the last five matches, totaling just 12 saves in that span. He's only made 40 saves on the season while conceding 30 in 13 matches. The keeper will face of against Mallorca for the next game on Sunday, who have scored five goals in the last five contests.

DECEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gonzalo Melero - Ruled for Atletico Madrid game Melero (calf) is absent for Sunday's clash against Atletico Madrid.

Impact Melero suffered a calf injury in the previous game and will spend some time on the mend. He has mostly come off the bench in last couple of months, starting just twice.

DECEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Adri Embarba - Starting against Atletico Madrid Embarba (ankle) is in the initial XI to face Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Impact Embarba was spared during a midweek cup contest but won't miss time in La Liga. He has tallied 11 shots (four on target), one key pass, and 23 crosses (two accurate) in his last five appearances.

DECEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fourth-division club Barbastro eliminates Almeria in 2nd round of Copa del Rey

Fourth-division club Barbastro has beaten struggling La Liga team Almeria 1-0 in the second round of the Copa del Rey

DECEMBER 6, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Diego Marino - Makes rare start Marino got the start during Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Barbastro.

Impact Marino was back in the starting XI in the cup, the only place he's really seen minutes this season. With the cup exit it now seems likely that Marino will fall back to the bench for the remainder of the season barring injuries elsewhere.

DECEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dion Lopy - Consistent in loss Lopy was back in the starting XI for Wednesday's 1-0 Copa del Rey loss to Barbastro.

Impact Lopy got back in the starting XI for Wednesday's clash, putting together a solid showing but getting shut out of the scoresheet again. The midfielder has been a substantial piece of the starting XI since joining Almeria and should continue in his role when fit and available.

DECEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gonzalo Melero - Dealing with calf injury Melero (calf) is not on the team sheet for Wednesday's Copa de Rey match against Barbastro.

Impact Melero was forced off Sunday with a calf injury, He had only started twice in the last six matches, making just four clearances in that span. Even when healthy, the midfielder has been downgraded to a bench option of late after failing to perform well for the team.

DECEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Adri Embarba - Out for cup match Embarba (ankle) is not on the team sheet for Wednesday's Copa de Rey match against Barbastro.

Impact Embarba was left out of Wednesday's cup match with a minor ankle injury. Though it does not seem serious, the midfielder is still set to be questionable for return on Sunday against Atletico Madrid. If he does have to sit out, then Largie Ramazani could move into the midfield, with Leo Baptistao an option to start at forward.

DECEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pozo - Sends in eight crosses Pozo registered eight crosses (three accurate) and two chances created in Sunday's 0-0 draw against Betis.

Impact Pozo set a new season-high with eight crosses delivered, getting the start after being left off the starting XI in the previous three matches. Besides his high cross count, the right-back was also active defensively, registering three tackles, three interceptions, and two clearances.

DECEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sergio Arribas - Leads team in shots Arribas recorded five shots (two on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and three chances created in Sunday's 0-0 draw against Betis.

Impact Arribas led the team with five shots; however, he was unable to find the back of the net as they were shut out against Betis. The attacking midfielder has been one of the lone bright spots for Almeria as he has scored five times this season.

DECEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE