Cádiz CF drew their last pre-season match ahead of Saturday's LaLiga opener at home to Osasuna. Los amarillos, who finally managed a sustained period of training last week following after working around Covid-19 complications, played out a high tempo match against UD Almería at the Marbella Football Center.
The match ended in a draw but Cádiz were the dominant side in the opening first 45 minutes, and went ahead after Negredo was fouled in the box with the striker himself slotting home. Almería drew level in the 54th minute following a fine long-range strike from Albiar. Cádiz CF started strongly, pressing for an opener with Javi Navarro a constant source of danger on the right flank providing a series of fine balls into the danger zone with Pombo latching onto one such assist driving the ball spectacularly against the crossbar.
After overcoming early sustained pressure, Almería finally threatened following a fine right-footed effort from Petrovic from the edge of the box which was comfortably saved by the well-positioned David Gil in the Cádiz CF goal. Almería went close again on the half hour mark after Balliu rattled the crossbar from a powerful drive. Cádiz CF took the lead following a quick break with Álvaro Negredo heavily involved in the build-up. The striker broke into the box at pace and was upended with Negredo himself taking the ensuing spot kick and expertly slotting home.
As is the case in these pre-season games, the flow of the match was interrupted by a constant number of changes by both teams with the bulk of the players who started the action being substituted during the second half. It was Almería’s Albiar who delivered the finest moment of the night with the player unleashing a long-range right-footed drive which Alberto Cifuentes could do nothing about. The goal boosted Almería’s confidence with the side in red and white enjoying sustained spells of domination and creating a series of half-chances. Cádiz CF did have an opportunity towards the end of the game when Malbasic found himself through on goal but Almería’s keeper Lluis saved well to deny the Serbian.
Los amarillos were the stronger side as the clock ticked down, launching a series of attacks on the Almería goal with Salvi menacing on the right wing. Just ahead of the final whistle ‘Choco’ Lozano came close, latching onto a free-kick expertly delivered by Salvi but his headed effort drifted wide of the Almería goal.
MATCH DETAILS
CÁDIZ CF: Gil, Iza, Fali, Saturday, Espino, Bodiger, José Mari, Pombo, Javi Navarro , Nano Mesa y Negredo. Substitutes: Baró, Jennsen, Álex, Lautaro, Salvi, Perea, Malbasic, Lozano and Alberto Cifuentes. UD
ALMERÍA: Fernando, Jonathan, Ibiza, Maras, Balliu, Petrovic, De la Hoz, Villalba, Corpas, Lazo y Ramazani. Substitutes: Lluís, Fermín, Peybernes, Martos, Romera, Robles, Uguza, Albiar, Enri and René.
GOALS: 1-0, Negredo (44’ penalty) and 1-1, Albiar (54’).
