Almería Team News Page 20 - Soccer

Houboulang Mendes - Logs four tackles in win Mendes made four tackles (two won) during Saturday's 3-1 win over Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Mendes has started in two straight games over Alejandro Pozo and Arnau Puigmal after opening the season on the bench. With six tackles made (four won) in that time, Mendes could be in line for a few more starts before the World Cup break.

OCTOBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pozo - Makes return off bench Pozo had one shot (zero on goal) and a clearence in Saturday's 3-1 victory versus Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Pozo made his first appearance since Sep 17 due to an injury (undisclosed). There was not much for him to do during the 24 minutes he played in. The 23-year-old has struggled with injuries early in the season that has prevented him to show his full potential. In four starts this season he has totaled 10 crosses, four clearances and three blocks thus far.

OCTOBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

El Bilal Toure - First goal with Almeria Toure scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 3-1 win versus Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Toure finally got his first goal since joining Almeria before the end of the first half to give Almeria a 3-0 lead. This was a much-needed goal from the Frenchman after not appearing in the last match. He still needs time to adjust to playing in LaLiga, but look to see Toure start in more game for Almeria this season.

OCTOBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gonzalo Melero - Tallies an assist in return Melero assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal) and four tackles (two won) in Saturday's 3-1 win against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Melero got his first start of the season after missing a few games due to a hamstring injury. He assisted El Bilal Toure's goal following a corner kick attempted. Almeria are happy to get Melero back in shape to help in the defensive midfield. The 28-year-old had seven goals, two assists, 29 tackles (16 won) and 16 chances created in 29 appearances with Levante last season.

OCTOBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Adri Embarba - Sent off in win Embarba assisted twice along with eight crosses (one accurate), six corners and six tackles (two won) but was shown two yellow cards in Saturday's 3-1 win over Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Embarba got his second start of the season and had an upstanding performance until he was shown two yellow cards that saw his day end just before the 90-minute mark. He will miss next match against Real Betis on Oct 16. Usually a bench player, the 30-year-old really proved what kind of player he can be, however he commits to many careless fouls that may have jeopardized his chances to be a regular starter on the team unless he improves. In just two starts in six appearances he has committed seven fouls and has been issued three yellow cards.

OCTOBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Srdjan Babic - First goal in campaign Babic scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Saturday's 3-1 victory against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Babic found the net with a header from a corner kick from Adrian Embarba. This is a huge confidence booster for the Serbian in his first season with Almeria. He now has a goal, 13 clearances, seven tackles (five won) and two blocks in the last five matches.

OCTOBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lucas Robertone - Scores early in victory Robertone scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), three crosses (zero accurate), and one corner in Saturday's 3-1 victory versus Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Robertone scored his first goal on the season by capitalizing on a mistake from goalkeeper Diego Lopez. In his first season with Almeria, he is averaging about 4.7 crosses a game. The Argentinian is always helping in the offense with a total of 20 crosses (seven accurate) and nine corners in the last five matches.

OCTOBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pozo - Bench option versus Rayo Vallecano Pozo (undisclosed) in available for Saturday's game against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Pozo is part of the squad after sitting out the previous game with an unspecified issue, but he will not return to the starting XI right away. He has logged one assist, two chances created, ten crosses (one accurate) and five interceptions in four matches so far.

OCTOBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gonzalo Melero - Starting against Rayo Vallecano Melero is in the XI to face Rayo Vallecano Saturday.

Impact Melero is getting his second start of the season after missing the previous match because of an injury. He posted one tackle, one clearance, and two fouls drawn in his previous appearances, while he logged seven goals, two assists, 22 shots (11 on target), and 16 chances created in 29 appearances with Levante last season.

OCTOBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Marko Milovanovic - Injury won't subside Milovanovic has been dealing with a troubling injury in his pubis muscle and if it doesn't recover surgery is an option, according to manager Rubi via MARCA.

Impact Milovanovic could be out until 2023 if things continue to go poorly in his recovery. He's made two appearances off the bench so far and that's likely to be his role when he does return.

OCTOBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Centelles - Remains out with sprain Centelles continues to recover from a sprain ahead of Saturday's match against Rayo Vallecano, according to manager Rubi via MARCA.

Impact Centelles has had a slow recovery process that will keep him out for one more match at the least. He has yet to play this season and will likely be an option off the bench when fit.

OCTOBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Chumi - Recovering from injury Chumi has to wait for inflammation in a toenail to subside before he can be available and is likely to miss Saturday's match against Rayo Vallecano, according to manager Rubi via M...

Impact Chumi has played just four times this season but started twice, though he most recently missed the 4-0 loss to Athletic Club on Sept. 30. His absence will keep Kaiky, Rodrigo Ely and Srdjan Babic as the top options at center-back for another week.

OCTOBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pozo - Trains without issue Pozo has been able to train without issue and could be available for Saturday's match against Rayo Vallecano, according to manager Rubi via MARCA.

Impact Pozo missed Friday's loss to Athletic Club but figures to be ready in time for Saturday. As a result, either he or Houboulang Mendes will get the start as the right wing-back as both are capable options.

OCTOBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gonzalo Melero - Should be option Melero is set to be available for Saturday's match against Rayo Vallecano after overcoming his hamstring injury and participating in training, according to manager Rubi via MARCA.

Impact Melero has played just once since joining Almeria and now has a good chance to make his second appearance over the weekend. A a decent midfielder who scored 14 goals in his last two full seasons, Melero could be exceptionally important for a team that's struggled to score with consistency.

OCTOBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Marko Milovanovic - Remains unavailable Milovanovic didn't participate in Tuesday's training session after missing Friday's loss to Athletic Club, according to Antonio Martinez of MARCA.

Impact Milovanovic has played just twice this season off the bench and now has an injury to contend with if he's to play more.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Chumi - Working on fitness Chumi (strain) spent much of Tuesday's training session working on his fitness ahead of Saturday's match against Rayo Vallecano, according to Antonio Martinez of MARCA.

Impact Chumi missed Friday's loss to Athletic Club and has been quick to at least get back on the pitch and working on his fitness. Whether or not he's back by Saturday is another question, though for now it's Kaiky, Rodrigo Ely and Srdjan Babic who will start at center-back. So far, Chumi has started twice in four appearances this season.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dyego Sousa - Plays second half in loss Sousa created three chances and put one shot on target in 45 minutes of Friday's 4-0 loss to Athletic Club.

Impact Sousa has started just twice in six appearances this season but still offered a solid threat while the rest of his team struggled offensively. While this is progress, it's still important that one of Sousa, El Bilal Toure or Largie Ramazani can start scoring goals to pick up where Umar Sadiq left off.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lucas Robertone - Takes two shots in loss Robertone put two shots off target and logged two inaccurate crosses during Friday's 4-0 loss to Athletic Club.

Impact Robertone has generally been one of the more active members of the midfield but a difficult road trip saw most of the team struggle offensively. With a favorable role on set pieces, Robertone should carve out a little value but it's imperative that the team starts to score more goals.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Largie Ramazani - Plays first half in loss Ramazani played for 45 minutes during Friday's 4-0 loss to Athletic Club.

Impact Ramazani struggled to get much going as the hosts dominated much of the match and his replacement Dyego Sousa didn't fare much better. After scoring two times in the first three games, Ramazani is scoreless in his last four. This is a major side effect of the loss of Umar Sadiq so there's not much that could change Ramazani's fantasy potential for now if he struggles to get attempts on target.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pozo - Unavailable versus Athletic Pozo (undisclosed) was not named to the match squad for Friday's match with Athletic Club.

Impact Pozo will not be available off the bench either, as he works his way back to full fitness. His last appearance was in mid-September, and Almeria will likely continue utilizing a by-committee approach in his absence.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ivan Martos - Out Friday Martos (undisclosed) was not named to the match squad during Friday's matchup with Athletic Club.

Impact Martos is clearly still working his way back to full fitness, as he is not available off the bench Friday. Almeria have sustained a number of injuries along the back line this season, so he will likely be active as soon as physically possible. Until then, expect Sergio Akieme and Alejandro Pozo to hold things together.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gonzalo Melero - Unavailable versus Athletic Club Melero was not named to the match squad during Friday's match with Athletic Club.

Impact Melero picked up a strain earlier in the season and has struggled to regain full fitness since. His last appearance came as a substitute in mid-September, and he will now have at least another full week to recover before his squad next take the pitch.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Centelles - Out again Friday Centelles (undisclosed) was not named to the match squad for Friday's match with Athletic Club.

Impact Centelles has yet to play this season, and due to the nature of his absence, it is unclear when he will return to the pitch. Almeria currently has a number of injuries across the back line, so it's next-man-up in a tough away spot at Athletic Club.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Chumi - Unavailable Friday Chumi was not named to the match squad for Friday's match with Athletic Club.

Impact Chumi picked up a left leg knock in training Monday and will not be available off the bench Friday against Athletic Club. Kaiky is currently taking the defender's spot in the right central portion of Almeria's back line.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pozo - Doubt to play Pozo is considered a doubt to play in Friday's match against Athletic Club, according to manager Rubi via MARCA.

Impact Pozo lasted until halftime in the Sept. 17 loss to Mallorca before the international break and his status has come down to the wire. Were he to miss out, Arnau Puigmal would likely start on the right flank.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

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