Pepe Mel and Jonathan Viera achieve the first victory in Gran Canaria for a practically hopeless Almería with one foot in the Second Division
The morbidity was served in the Gran Canaria Stadium. Two illustrious ex-yellows returned to the island to face Unión Deportiva: Jonathan Viera and Pepe Mel, the latter in his debut as coach of Unión Deportiva Almería.
After his abrupt departure a few months ago, Viera's return garnered all the attention previously. Especially after Pimienta's statements stating that "if I had to greet Viera I would greet him" and with the former yellow player revealing at a press conference that "he has not spoken with him anymore (in reference to Pimienta) and I don't think we will talk anymore."
The Andalusians arrived in Gran Canaria with relegation practically assumed after having not achieved any victory before arriving in Gran Canaria and with only ten points, twelve from salvation. Reason why the previous Almería coach, Gaizka Garitano, was dismissed after drawing with Sevilla the previous day; Pepe Mel thus occupied the red-and-white bench and with the chance of taking his first position in Gran Canaria against his former team.
A fateful match for the yellows that had no history beyond the 14th minute, when Leo Baptistao beat Álvaro Valles to put the final 0-1 on the scoreboard and thus certify the first victory of the season for Almería. The rojiblancos showed the shame of a Sports Union that showed a fairly flat and predictable game and whose best play was a solo escape by Sandro at the beginning of the second half that ended in a great goal by the Canarian striker that was disallowed for offside.
The big moment of the match came with the change of Jonathan Viera, who started as a starter and was replaced in the 66th minute by Idrissu Baba after going unnoticed for practically the entire match. The fans of the Gran Canaria Stadium roared when the one from La Feria began his way towards the benches, with a few timid whistles that were instantly covered by an ovation that Viera thanked with applause. Finally, the greeting with Pimienta did not occur (at least in front of cameras).
The yellow coach was very affectionate with his predecessor, Pepe Mel, whom he greeted with a big hug and exchanged a few words. Already at a press conference, Mel stated that during that conversation he told Pimienta that “he is very proud” of the work he is doing in Gran Canaria.
With this defeat, the yellows continue in negative dynamics, already adding a month and a week without knowing victory.
