Sabadell lives on a cloud and defeats Almeria

SabadellSabadell is a happy club. In the year of its return to the Second Division, it still does not know defeat and in its home debut, it has devoured a favorite for promotion like Almeria (1-0). Just on the day the arlequinat club announced it had reached 10,000 members, it achieved its first victory thanks to a goal from the North American Nico Gioacchini in the second half.

With some players on the pitch who two years ago were in the Second RFEF with Sabadell, Ferran Costa's team has ceded possession to Francesc Xavier Garcia Pimienta's Almeria, pressing high and unsettling opponents in a display of commitment that has delighted the 9,000 spectators at a Nova Creu Alta that was debuting its pitch and experiencing a Second Division match with spectators after almost a decade. After a shot from Nico Melamed, Almeria saw Sabadell take control of the match, true to its style. Fourteen minutes in, Nico Gioacchini scored the first goal of the season from the heart of the small box, but the referee disallowed the 1-0 for a blow by Arthur Bonaldo to Álex Muñoz. The arlequinat midfield, with Urri from Osona, Quadri, and a Pere Pons who is once again enjoying football, understood what kind of match was needed, and provided play on the wings where Miki Codina and Ton Ripoll shone. Joel Priego, one of the heroes of the promotion, was a nuisance during the first 45 minutes.

Despite the absence of Edgar, the center-back on loan precisely from Almeria to Sabadell, the visitors have not posed any danger. The local goal finally arrived in the 53rd minute, with a cross from Joel Priego that, after a header from Ton Ripoll, saw Nico Gioacchini score. Immediately after, Ton Ripoll hit the post in a play that could have been the 2-0. These were the best minutes for Sabadell, who in the first two matchdays had drawn away, in Gijón and Castellón. Almeria took a forced step forward, but only posed a threat with a shot from Miguel de la Fuente hitting the crossbar in the final seconds.

Sabadell, with five points, moves up the standings before playing the Copa Catalunya final this Wednesday against Barça Atlètic at the Nova Creu Alta. And all this, while waiting to close a transfer market in which they still hope to strengthen.