Goliath, Meet David.

By: chris | February 3rd, 2008

If you’re a fan of La Liga’s Almeria, chances are yesterday was the biggest day in your football rooting career. Hell, it’s probably been the best month of your career (yes, being a fan is a job). Last night, in a stadium which holds a whole 20,000, Almeria took down Spanish behemoths Real Madrid by a score of 2-0. The club, which is in its first season ever in Spain’s top division (at least the current edition), now sits in 7th place, gunning for European football. Hooray for underdogs.

The first goal, scored by Juanito on an open goal in the middle of a clusterfuck in the box, was fairly contentious because Iker Casillas made a huge effort to clear it off the line. The officials counted it, and replays appear to confirm it was the right decision. The second goal was all Alvaro Negredo (and according to Steven much of Almeria’s game), a former Real paycheck grabber who came back to haunt the Los Blancos. A little sizzle, a little bit of winning a penalty, and then a little roll into the back of the net to take it to 2-0 (a roll which seemingly took eons). Thus, you have the recipe for an upset.

Guti blames the loss on the pitch, the weather, the referees, his hairstylist, the guy who delivers his papers in the morning, that transvestite, Mr. Belvedere, and anyone else who wasn’t playing in white. Sounds a bit like sour grapes, though.

Real will have to wait until Barcelona finishes with Osasuna to know the true impactof their loss. They went into the game with a 9 point cushion and failed to make it 12, which almost certainly will be a huge boost to Barca. Watching your title rival slip up directly before your own game can do wonders for the psyche.

January was a spectacular month for the Andalusians, playing 4 games and taking home 10 points, including a 1-0 over Espanyol, currently sitting a spot ahead in 5th, and a 1-0 at the Mestalla against usual powerhouse Valencia. Add this victory and a feel good story becomes “holy crap, maybe these guys can play a bit”. Even if the club may be selling themselves short.

The goals - one and two - and longer highlights, albeit of crappy quality, here.