A seriously struggling Almeria outfit are faced with another difficult challenge this weekend as they host Betis this Sunday. With both teams going through a very rough patch at the moment, its time to kick off the new year on a positive note. Tensions run high in Andalucían derbies like this one, and winning is always the objective - for all parties involved.
New Year's Resolution
Almeria have been absolutely horrifying recently. The side that looked so confident of a UEFA Cup spot this time last year have had their world rocked head over heels. Many experts predicted an astonishing year for these underdogs, but the Andalucían side have been the exact opposite.
The main factor, obviously, is the departure of super-coach Unai Emery to new pastures in Valencia. The story of his successor, Gonzalo Arconada, is a long and cold one. Having failed to repeat the success of Emery, Arconada was under immense pressure from the management, fans, and even the players to turn on the style - he failed to do so. Having failed to win a game since last November, which seems like a lifetime away, things were just getting way too out of hand.
Looking to the future, Almeria have taken the long-awaited, long-anticipated step of sacking their manager and hiring Hugo Sanchez, the Real Madrid legend who rocked La Liga in the late 1980s. The Mexican is known for his strict discipline, as well as his motivational skills, which he will need to coax his players out of their current slump.
Sanchez will bring his own style to the camp Almeria, and has plenty of new year's resolutions to live up to. Scoring more goals is a definite target, but tightening the defence is probably just as important. Also, the overall mentality of the team has to change, the attitude of the Almeria players while they are roaming the pitch has taken a negative dip so far this term, and Sanchez will do all he can to make sure that morale is restored to a high level.
He may be up for giving the fans a very, very late Christmas present, and that would be putting one over Betis on Sunday evening.
Time for a Change?
Things haven’t been so great at Betis either. Some would say that their poor run of form is due to the fact that they have top quality teams like Valencia, Espanyol, and Atletico Madrid recently, but this is hardly an excuse.
Coach Paco Chaparro is in a tight seat at the moment. His team have matched Almeria's record of failing to win since November, but they have not had many problems in attack. Real Betis managed to score eleven goals in four encounters earlier on in December, and have conceded a respectable 22 goals throughout the whole competition. These numbers are all in favour of the Andalucían outfit, but where is the problem?
Betis need to change quickly. Their playing style, which is going out gung-ho in the opening minutes of the game and playing over-aggressive football in the midfield, is not producing the expected results. Yes, they can score, and keep things tight at the back sometimes, but the key to their game is not to lose concentration when focusing all their energy in attack. Chaparro has not yet been able to fabricate a smooth Betis side, since most of their games are rugged and are full of harsh tackles in midfield.
It might be a case of changing a simple tactic. Maybe going down the wings rather than through the centre, or playing with one defensive midfielder instead of two. Whatever the solution, it is time for the management to react, since Chaparro has done nothing to resolve the situation.
One thing to be sure of is that Betis never lack motivation, even in the hardest times. Marching onto the field this Sunday, they will be aiming for the three points, and will use their double pivot in the midfield to crack down any Almeria attacks – even if it has to be through belligerent tackles.
FORM GUIDE
Almeria
Dec 21 Sporting Gijon 1-0 Almeria (La Liga)
Dec 14 Almeria 1-1 Racing Santander (La Liga)
Dec 07 Numancia 2-1 Almeria (La Liga)
Nov 30 Almeria 0-1 Deportivo (La Liga)
Nov 23 Osasuna 3-1 Almeria (La Liga)
Real Betis
Dec 21 Real Betis 0-1 Athletic Bilbao (La Liga)
Dec 14 Atletico Madrid 2-0 Real Betis (La Liga)
Dec 07 Real Betis 1-1 Espanyol (La Liga)
Nov 30 Valencia 3-2 Rea Betis (La Liga)
Nov 23 Sporting Gijon 1-2 Real Betis (La Liga)
TEAM NEWS
Almeria
The fresh mentality will also bring a fresh formation. Sanchez will be experimental with his squad in his search for his preferred XI. Training has been intense and the coach has been focusing on physical work, getting his players into the shape that he wants. Italian youngster Pablo Piatti has been excellent recently and should take his place along the wings, with Negredo in front of him.
Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Alves - Bruno, Mané, Pellerano, García - Piatti, Corona, Juanito, Guilherme - Ortiz, Negredo.
Betis
Chaparro has a healthy squad to chose from, and his side will not carry any surprises. Monzon has been astounding recently and should take his usual place in defence, whereas Sergio Garcia will spearhead the attack up front.
Possible Starting XI (4-4-2): Casto - Nelson, Arzu, Juanito, Monzon - Capi, Juanma, Rivera, Damia - Garcia, Jose Mari
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Almeria
Striker Alvaro Negredo is always a dangerous predator up front. His shot technique is brilliant and he is rarely off-target. He will have support on the wings from Pablo Piatti, who will give Monzon and Nelson constant problems. Piatti will be whipping in crosses from the by-line, and even cut inside when he’s on the wrong side of the pitch. Most eyes will be on Hugo Sanchez, as this game will mark his debut with Almeria.
Betis
Argentine defender Fabian Monzon has been very impressive so far. Many believe that he single-handedly keeps the defence together, but he is also a constant threat on the attack. Will be closely taken care of by Juanito, but that’s not a problem for him.
New Year's Resolution
Almeria have been absolutely horrifying recently. The side that looked so confident of a UEFA Cup spot this time last year have had their world rocked head over heels. Many experts predicted an astonishing year for these underdogs, but the Andalucían side have been the exact opposite.
The main factor, obviously, is the departure of super-coach Unai Emery to new pastures in Valencia. The story of his successor, Gonzalo Arconada, is a long and cold one. Having failed to repeat the success of Emery, Arconada was under immense pressure from the management, fans, and even the players to turn on the style - he failed to do so. Having failed to win a game since last November, which seems like a lifetime away, things were just getting way too out of hand.
Looking to the future, Almeria have taken the long-awaited, long-anticipated step of sacking their manager and hiring Hugo Sanchez, the Real Madrid legend who rocked La Liga in the late 1980s. The Mexican is known for his strict discipline, as well as his motivational skills, which he will need to coax his players out of their current slump.
Sanchez will bring his own style to the camp Almeria, and has plenty of new year's resolutions to live up to. Scoring more goals is a definite target, but tightening the defence is probably just as important. Also, the overall mentality of the team has to change, the attitude of the Almeria players while they are roaming the pitch has taken a negative dip so far this term, and Sanchez will do all he can to make sure that morale is restored to a high level.
He may be up for giving the fans a very, very late Christmas present, and that would be putting one over Betis on Sunday evening.
Time for a Change?
Things haven’t been so great at Betis either. Some would say that their poor run of form is due to the fact that they have top quality teams like Valencia, Espanyol, and Atletico Madrid recently, but this is hardly an excuse.
Coach Paco Chaparro is in a tight seat at the moment. His team have matched Almeria's record of failing to win since November, but they have not had many problems in attack. Real Betis managed to score eleven goals in four encounters earlier on in December, and have conceded a respectable 22 goals throughout the whole competition. These numbers are all in favour of the Andalucían outfit, but where is the problem?
Betis need to change quickly. Their playing style, which is going out gung-ho in the opening minutes of the game and playing over-aggressive football in the midfield, is not producing the expected results. Yes, they can score, and keep things tight at the back sometimes, but the key to their game is not to lose concentration when focusing all their energy in attack. Chaparro has not yet been able to fabricate a smooth Betis side, since most of their games are rugged and are full of harsh tackles in midfield.
It might be a case of changing a simple tactic. Maybe going down the wings rather than through the centre, or playing with one defensive midfielder instead of two. Whatever the solution, it is time for the management to react, since Chaparro has done nothing to resolve the situation.
One thing to be sure of is that Betis never lack motivation, even in the hardest times. Marching onto the field this Sunday, they will be aiming for the three points, and will use their double pivot in the midfield to crack down any Almeria attacks – even if it has to be through belligerent tackles.
FORM GUIDE
Almeria
Dec 21 Sporting Gijon 1-0 Almeria (La Liga)
Dec 14 Almeria 1-1 Racing Santander (La Liga)
Dec 07 Numancia 2-1 Almeria (La Liga)
Nov 30 Almeria 0-1 Deportivo (La Liga)
Nov 23 Osasuna 3-1 Almeria (La Liga)
Real Betis
Dec 21 Real Betis 0-1 Athletic Bilbao (La Liga)
Dec 14 Atletico Madrid 2-0 Real Betis (La Liga)
Dec 07 Real Betis 1-1 Espanyol (La Liga)
Nov 30 Valencia 3-2 Rea Betis (La Liga)
Nov 23 Sporting Gijon 1-2 Real Betis (La Liga)
TEAM NEWS
Almeria
The fresh mentality will also bring a fresh formation. Sanchez will be experimental with his squad in his search for his preferred XI. Training has been intense and the coach has been focusing on physical work, getting his players into the shape that he wants. Italian youngster Pablo Piatti has been excellent recently and should take his place along the wings, with Negredo in front of him.
Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Alves - Bruno, Mané, Pellerano, García - Piatti, Corona, Juanito, Guilherme - Ortiz, Negredo.
Betis
Chaparro has a healthy squad to chose from, and his side will not carry any surprises. Monzon has been astounding recently and should take his usual place in defence, whereas Sergio Garcia will spearhead the attack up front.
Possible Starting XI (4-4-2): Casto - Nelson, Arzu, Juanito, Monzon - Capi, Juanma, Rivera, Damia - Garcia, Jose Mari
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Almeria
Striker Alvaro Negredo is always a dangerous predator up front. His shot technique is brilliant and he is rarely off-target. He will have support on the wings from Pablo Piatti, who will give Monzon and Nelson constant problems. Piatti will be whipping in crosses from the by-line, and even cut inside when he’s on the wrong side of the pitch. Most eyes will be on Hugo Sanchez, as this game will mark his debut with Almeria.
Betis
Argentine defender Fabian Monzon has been very impressive so far. Many believe that he single-handedly keeps the defence together, but he is also a constant threat on the attack. Will be closely taken care of by Juanito, but that’s not a problem for him.
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