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Opposition lowdown: Almería
The final match of the first half of the season is a trip to Andalusia
RCD Espanyol kick off matchday 19 of the LaLiga season away to Almería on Friday.
A trip to Andalusia is the final match of the first half of the season for Diego Martínez’s men, who will hope to end it on a high and continuing their strong form. Almería are just a point and position below Espanyol, in what will be an important match in such a tight area of the table.
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Name: UD Almería
Nickname: Rojiblancos (The Red-and-Whites)
Manager: Rubi
Stadium: Power Horse Stadium – 15,000 capacity
Last match: D 2-2 vs Valencia
Last season: 1st (Second Division, promoted)
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Last meeting
Espanyol and Almería last met in the Second Division two years ago, when they were sitting first and third respectively. A 1-1 draw at the Power Horse Stadium saw Landry Dimata cancel out Umar Sadiq’s earlier goal, with both goals coming within the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Key player
One of Almería’s shining stars this season has been in the form of a youngster and a summer deadline day signing. El Bilal Touré has six goal contributions in LaLiga playing up front and on the right, having participated in 38% of the team’s goals so far.
Club links
Pablo Piatti was just 19-years-old when he moved to Almería from his native Argentina, emerging as a key player for the Andalusian club where he made over 100 appearances.
Following an impressive spell with Valencia, Piatti joined Espanyol in 2016, making his initial loan move permanent the following year. The winger scored 10 goals in his first campaign in the blanquiazul shirt, and is now back in Argentina with his first club Estudiantes.