Granada: Karnezis; Nyom (Foulquier 68’), Ilori, Murillo, Brayan Angulo; Fran Rico, Iturra (Ighalo 58’); Riki (Buonanotte 68’), Piti, Brahimi; El-Arabi. 4-2-3-1.
Almería: Esteban; Rafita, Trujillo, Torsiglieri, Dubarbier; Fran Vélez; Aleix Vidal, Verza (Azeez 72’), Corona, Oscar Díaz (Mané 83’); Jonathan Zongo (Rodri 53’). 4-1-4-1.
Goals:
0-1. 19. Verza (penalty). After Fran Rico kicked Verza on edge of penalty area.
0-2. 84. Aleix Vidal (penalty). After Murillo tripped Azeez as he entered area.
Yellow cards: Fran Rico 18’, Iturra 24’, Torsiglieri 45’, Ilori 47’, Rafita 69’ / red cards: Murillo 82’.
Granada find themselves right back in the relegation struggle after they were beaten 0-2 this weekend by regional rivals Almería, who climb a point above their hosts in the table as a result. Verza gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot however after Fran Rico caught him with a high kick on the edge of the area, and only a couple of long range efforts from Rico caused any problems for Esteban before the break. After the restart Brahimi fired a long shot just over the crossbar, and Ilori headed a Rico free kick wide of the mark in front of goal. But Azeez went close at the other end and Karnezis had to save a fierce drive from Oscar Díaz, and with seven minutes to go Aleix Vidal wrapped things up with a second penalty after Murillo was sent off for bringing Azeez down from behind as he advanced in to the area. It was a third win in a row for Francisco’s side, and they only need a point now from their last game at home to Athletic Bilbao to be totally sure of staying up. Granada though visit Valladolid knowing that at least one of the two will go down, and it could even be both of them if results elsewhere go against them. Transistor radios and calculators will be the order of the day next Sunday for their long suffering fans!