2010/11 UD Almeria’s path to relegation – Spanish La Liga debate
The season brought an end to UD Almeria’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Love-c22466 affair with La Liga. The club managed to stay in the Spanish top division for four years, an accomplishment meriting mass applause. With the troubles the Andalusian club had, relegation sooner was expected.
The 2010/11 season was marred by coaching changes, injuries to experienced players, and a deficiency of a quality marksman. Lack of an experienced shot-stopper in addition to the continuing woes led to a disappointing campaign for the Spanish club and their
faithful supporters.
Defensive shortcomings were the reason the club did not fare better in the league to avoid the drop to the Segunda Division. The club had a better goal scored tally than http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sporting-89-c40576 de Gijon, the side that ended the season in the 10thplace.
The only experienced head in the backline was of Santiago Acasiete and he did not have a good campaign, sadly. The 33-year old centre-back was in and out of the treatment room throughout the season and could not help the team’s cause. Same was the case with
experienced duo of Argentine Hernan Pellerano and Spaniard http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carlos-Garcia-c8440.
The impervious http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-Jakobsen-c25311 fared little better with just 10 appearances for the club. The Danish professional was on the treatment table alongside his experienced colleagues, leading to a benumbed defence.
As the defenders made their regular visits to the medical staff, the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michel-c25453. The inexperienced duo was left wanting by La Liga strikers, as
Real Madrid and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 scored 16 goals in two games against the minnows.
The club lacked reliable full-backs and this did not help in the attacking third of the field. Antonio Luna Rodriguez was the only recognized full-back in the team as Almeria put up a fight to avid relegation. Spanish footballer Juanma was played out of
position at right-back to fill the void but to no avail.
The midfield was the only department the club was competent in. Long serving http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ortiz-c28691, partnered well with Modeste M’bami in the centre of the park as they championed the midfield. They were aided by one-time capped Argentine midfielder, Hernan
Bernardello, who joined in 2009.
Spanish midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Corona-c9444 added depth in the centre of the field. On the left wing, the team had a skillful player in the mould of Albert Crusat. The Spanish player has been with the club since 2005 and troubled defences with his incredible pace. Defensive
midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Juanito-c19850 was snapped up for free in the January transfer window to provide cover for the impeccable M’bami.
Argentine http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-CF-c40864.
The frontline was the department that needed reinforcement but there was no one the club could entice. The frontline was lead by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Henok-Goitom-c16037. The aforementioned players fared decently considering the fact that they are strikers
by nature.
The shot-stopper, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Real-c30728 Madrid. With no able backup, the team had to continue
with the player.
The constant managerial changes did not help the cause either. The Andalusian club changed two coaches during the campaign. Last campaign’s saviour, Juan http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Manuel-c23383 Lillo, was shown the door following the humbling defeat against Real Madrid, while his replacement
Jose Luis Oltra was ousted in April.
With constant changes in the backroom, players were unable to cope with the pressure and gave one awful result after another. The youngsters’ development was hampered in the progress, and inconsistent performances continued.
The club need to show faith in their manager if they are to improve. Getting an able striker should be the top priority, as well as a new player to don the number one jersey.
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