From Champs to Chumps: Almería’s Christmas Crisis Deepens

This time last year, Almería were sitting pretty as winter champions. Fast forward 365 days and they’re limping into the Christmas break after a November-December collapse that’s got the faithful reaching for the hard stuff rather than the mulled wine.

Three Strikes and You’re Out

Sunday’s defeat at Málaga was more than just another loss - it represented the third squandered opportunity to break into the automatic promotion spots before the festive pause. The previous chances went begging with equally disappointing home defeats to Burgos and that controversial loss at Ceuta in late November, where a referee’s decision that was absolute dog’s dinner changed the complexion of the match.

The numbers tell a proper horror story:

• Just one win from their last six matches
• A humiliating Copa del Rey exit to Eldense
• Zero points from their final two league fixtures of 2025
• A 12-season streak without winning their final pre-Christmas match

The only saving grace? They’re clinging to fourth place, which would still give them a playoff shot come season’s end.

Rubi’s Risky Business

Manager Rubi finds himself in the firing line after some questionable decision-making. His persistence with central defender Aridane has proven particularly costly, with the Canary Islander featuring prominently in the defensive calamities that led to three of the four goals conceded against Burgos and Málaga.

After engineering an impressive 10-match unbeaten run earlier in the campaign, Rubi now faces serious questions. The traditional January slump that haunts Almería each season seems to have arrived early this time around - like an unwanted Christmas present that nobody asked for.

Injury Woes and Performance Problems

To be fair to the gaffer, injuries haven’t been kind. The absence of Bonini, their standout central defender, has left a massive hole in the backline, and he won’t return until late January at the earliest.

Meanwhile, key performers have hit a wall:

• Embarba’s supernatural early-season form has predictably cooled
• Lopy has been miles off the pace for weeks
• Only Arribas has maintained anything close to his best level

What started as a campaign full of promise now feels like it’s hanging by a thread. The winter break might be coming at just the right time for an Almería side that desperately needs to regroup before their promotion hopes go completely up the Swanee.