Almería has returned to the top of the Second Division after the arrival of García Pimienta, who has taken the team to first position in the table with 21 points after nine games. The Catalan coach, former La Masía player and former Sevilla coach, took over in the summer after Rubi's departure and, despite a start with two defeats in the first three games, he has maintained a streak without losses that has put the Almería club at the head of the competition, tied on points with Eibar.
Pimienta, who arrived at Almería without a team after his last experience in the First Division with Sevilla, has imposed a style of play based on possession and control of the ball from the first minute. His training in the lower categories of FC Barcelona is reflected in the organization of Almería, which usually deploys a 4-3-3 but that the coach sometimes adapts to a 3-2-4-1 to enhance the projection of the full-backs and increase the offensive presence. After the 1-0 defeat against Sabadell, the coach shook up the eleven with up to seven changes, incorporating players like Quim Junyent, Brian Cipenga and Javi Muñoz, who have since established themselves as starters.
The impact of the Blaugrana style is also seen in the squad. Quim Junyent, 19 years old and also a product of La Masía, has become a key player, leading the game from the fourth day and registering his first assist in the match against Leganés. Goalkeeper Áron Yaakobishvili, with a Barça formation, has not yet made his debut, but the team has improved significantly in defense. While last season they conceded 63 goals, this season they have allowed only five on five occasions, leaving a clean sheet in five other games.
In the press conference after the 3-0 victory over Leganés, Pimienta highlighted the defensive solidity and offensive capacity of the team, describing the performance as “the work of the entire team.” Even so, the coach stressed that the team “continues to have room for improvement” and that the credit goes to the players, who follow the plan and model proposed by the coaching staff. “My goal is not to disturb and not spoil what is inside,” he stated, inviting us to keep our feet on the ground in the face of the long season that still remains to be played.
With the current streak, Almería remains in first position, competing closely with Eibar. The club's next objective is to consolidate its position in the table and secure promotion to the First Division, while Pimienta and his team must continue to fine-tune their game to maintain the defensive consistency and offensive production that has taken them to the top.