Team Focus: Old Saying Rings True for Attacking Almería

You wait ten games for a win…then suddenly two come along at once. Almería’s season was never going to be easy, but even they probably didn’t expect to suffer quite so much so early. 

In their last two games however, they are showing their most promising signs yet of standing their ground and becoming a decent La Liga outfit. Their previous failings were not without trying, mind, as they played some attractive football across their barren run. Francisco, their 35-year-old coach who is the youngest in La Liga, was even threatened with the termination of his job live on radio by the club president. 

A win in Mestalla against Valencia was a mean feat in spite of Les Che’s own problems - the last time Almería won in the creaking yet mythical environment was 2008. Francisco went for a 5-4-1 to begin with in hope of stalling and frustrating their opponents. In parts it worked, but he then returned to a 4-2-3-1 formation, and Almería staged their assault on the game and went on to claim victory. No sooner were Almería clearing up the mess left after the party from their first win, a second came in front of their own fans at Juegos Mediterráneos. A 1-0 win over Real Valladolid, a steady mid-table outfit that are a team worth aspiring to. It was backed by a smart defensive performance, sweeping counter attacks and something that had previously deserted them – fortune. Carving out that fortune was thanks to a player who during the winless run had been one of several positives.

Rodri, despite being only 23-years-old, has racked up his fair share of clubs: Sevilla, Barcelona B, Real Zaragoza and even a bizarre spell at Sheffield Wednesday in amongst them. He’s managed 6 goals already this season, just under half of Almería’s total. That’s a 43% contribution, equal to that of Diego Costa and Cristiano Ronaldo at their respective clubs. 

His goals are even more surprising given his style, often more proficient outside the area than in it. Against Valladolid he dropped off and played with his back to goal, linking more often in the middle of the pitch than the final third. The players either side of him, usually Suso and Aleix Vidal use a combination of pace, trickery and intelligent movement to ghost into more advanced areas. Rodri has made 17.9 passes per game on average this season, while only 0.3 per game have been key passes, paling in comparison to the other strikers he shares the scoring charts with. For Almería however, his abrasive style and clinical touch in front of goal are ideal. With just 2.2 shots per game, a total of 26, he’s managed 6 goals. Comparatively, both David Villa and Karim Benzema have taken 30 shots to find their 7 and 5 goals respectively this season.

With the 10.4 shots per game this season, Almería have the second lowest in this regard in La Liga. It’s essential then that Rodri maintains his level in front of goal, but with the lack of a proven track record serious doubts persist.

Amería’s style is based around the facets of swift, precise and direct play. Their 288 short passes per game this season is the 3rd fewest in La Liga, as they intend to focus on recovering the ball in front of their defence and moving the ball swiftly to either Suso or Aleix Vidal. Their 22.3 interceptions per game is the most in La Liga, and while they’re an aggressive side with 35 yellow cards and 2 reds, they are only making 18.7 tackles per game – the 2nd lowest total in the league. 

The problem the club has mainly had though is allowing Suso the room to play. With so much focus on him as an outlet, all their best work flows through the Liverpool loanee, and they look stuck when it comes to using other routes to find Rodri. Suso drifts in from a wide position to the middle, making 1.3 key passes per game, a total of 14, and assisting 5 goals already this season. That tally is enough to rank him 4th in La Liga behind Koke and Neymar both on 7, and Cesc Fábregas on 6. It so happens too, that at 19-years-old, no other teenager has as many assists in Europe’s top 5 leagues. The combination of Suso and Rodri is important; often in games there is a relationship between them in terms of Suso’s vision aiming to locate Rodri’s runs. It’s a popular link, and one that has been successful.

Aleix Vidal is also worthy of a mention, however. He’s a player that slots perfectly into Almería’s style given his speed, direct approach and ability in attack. Vidal was a huge success in Segunda last season, but is slowly adapting to the rigours of La Liga. He has managed to 2 goals, including a winner against Valencia (albeit fortunately via a deflection) but it was an impressive run that opened up the opponents’ defence. That direct running into space is what Almería require to assault teams in a different manner to others. His dribbling in fact, at 2.3 successes per game, is slightly behind Suso’s 2.5, but the combination of the duo, along with Rodri, will be vital to the Andalusian side surviving.

With the team defending so poorly - 15.7 shots conceded per game and 24 goals conceded overall - both the 3rd worst totals in La Liga - the old adage of attacking is the best form of defence might well ring true for Almería; an old saying for this new experience.

Can Almería beat the drop? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below