Derby County fans, brace yourselves for a potential shift in football history as Almeria, currently languishing at the bottom of La Liga, inches closer to breaking a record set by the Rams over a decade ago.
In the 2007-08 season, Derby County recorded the worst campaign in the history of Europe’s top five leagues, with just 11 points in a single Premier League campaign.
Fast forward to the present day, Almeria is on the verge of challenging that unwanted record, making this a compelling story for football enthusiasts.
Almeria’s woes began in the summer of 2022 when coach Rubi surprisingly resigned.
Despite significant investments in new signings, the historical ineptitude unfolded under the new boss, Vicente Moreno, who was fired after just seven games.
The caretaker coach, Alberto Lasarte, experienced a rollercoaster in his one game in charge, reflecting the team’s erratic performance throughout the season.
Strangely, Almeria’s struggles aren’t always reflected in their gameplay. Against top opponents like Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Real Madrid, they displayed moments of competitiveness, but a lack of finishing prowess and calamitous defending has haunted them.
‘Expected goals’ data suggests Almeria shouldn’t be in the relegation zone, emphasizing the anomaly of their poor performance.
Almeria’s last game against Valencia highlighted their ongoing struggles. A missed sitter by Gonzalo Melero, followed by a defensive lapse, resulted in a 2-1 defeat.
With 23 winless games, they are on the verge of breaking the record for the longest winless start to a La Liga season, tied with Sporting Gijon in 1997-98.
Another unwanted milestone is the potential equalling of La Liga’s longest winless run at 27 games if they fail to secure a victory in the upcoming match against Athletic Bilbao.
While Almeria’s season seems bleak, there is hope for improvement. The team’s generally reasonable football has been overshadowed by poor play in both penalty areas, bad luck, injuries, and questionable refereeing decisions.
With players like Sergio Arribas, Lucas Robertone, and Edgar Gonzalez showcasing their abilities, a turnaround is plausible.
As the season progresses, Almeria will aim to avoid cementing their place in football history as the worst team in Europe’s top-flight leagues.
Individual motivations, potential summer transfers, and manager Gaizka Garitano’s aspirations for a promotion challenge next season could inject the necessary determination to salvage the remaining games.
Derby County fans, keep a close eye on Almeria’s journey as they attempt to rewrite football history.
The next 15 games will determine whether they can escape the dubious distinction of being the worst football team in Europe’s elite top-flight history or if Derby’s record from 2007-08 will remain intact.
