Atlético Baleares

Good draw

Match report

Sixth round of the Primera RFEF division at the Estadio Alfred Di Stéfano in Valdebebas against Real Madrid Castilla. The Madrid second team has won both home games this season, showing how strong they are in their backyard. Xavi Calm lost Alfonso to injury at the last minute, who ended up not travelling with the matchday squad, the midfielder joined the already injured Cordero, Josep Jaume and Jesús Álvaro. The youth player from Santanyí, Toni Ramón, stepped up t the first team for the first time to fill the gap. With these injuries Calm went for a starting 11 made up of René in goal, and a back four of Luca Ferrone, Olaortue, Carlos Delgado and Ignasi Vilarrasa, with the Catalan right back making his first start for the club. Damián Petcoff y Armando started together again in midfield – the British midfielder having spent the week wrapped in cotton wool after a knock. The wings were occupied by Hugo Rodríguez y José Fran and Vinicius Tanque started upfront next to the league top goalscorer, Dioni.

The game started with intensity, the pitch slick after a light rain. In the 3rd and 6th minutes the same move twice threatened with dangerous crosses from Dioni failing to find a player. A strange move followed in the 9th minute. Madrid player Arribas took a free kick which rebounded off the bar, ballooned up in the air, and as René came to claim it he ended up bringin down Gudjohnsen for a penalty. Arribas converted the penalty which René was unable to keep out despite guessing the right way. The 15th minute saw the move of the game with Hugo scoring a sensational freekick from outside the area. However, he then unfortunately managed to injure himself at the same time, putting ATB down to ten men. Minutes later Madrid Castilla took advantage of the numerical superiority to make the score 2-1 from a corner with ATB’s request for a substitution beforehand being denied. Gudjohnsen found himself alone at the front post, and even a great save from René couldn’t keep the ball out with the rebound falling kindly at the striker’s feet. Luca Ferrone nearly equalised in the 28th minute with a left footed strike but the Madrid keeper was there to make the save. The 31st minute saw a penalty claim from Canario, earning a yellow card for his protests, and a red card for goalkeeping coach Marc Antoni Rodríguez. Armando was superb throughout and in the 35th minute he set up Vini who just shot over from outside the area. Madrid Castilla responded in the 39th minute with a dangerous counter attack leading to a shot from Arribas over the bar, and Aranda could have scored in the 42nd but failed to find the net. The two teams went into the break with the score at 2-1.
After the restart ATB came out with the bit between their teeth, and they would get their reward in the 65th minute with a left footed strike from Ferrone to make it 2-2. Xavi Calm made the changes bringing on Isi for José Fran. Peter had a great chance to win it but sent his cross beyond everyone. Ignasi also threatened from his cross, but Vini’s show was weak and into the hands of the opposition keeper. In the dying moments Pedro and Manel came on for Armando and Dioni. The score was 2-2 at the final whistle and the points were shared.
Lineups:

Real Madrid Castilla: 1. Fuidias, 6. Blanco, 7. Marvin, 8. Dotor, 10. Arribas, 11. Peter, 15. Carrillo (80′ 2. Santos), 16. Rafa Marín, 19. Gudjohnsen (80′ 23. Theo), 22. Aranda (88′ 20. David) and 29. Marvel.
Atlético Baleares: 13. René (c), 12. Luca Ferrone, 20. Ignasi Vilarrasa, 4. Olaortua, 5. Carlos Delgado, 6. Armando (87′ 22. Orfila), 21. Damián Petcoff, 7. José Fran (65′ 18. Isi), 16. Hugo Rodríguez (19′ 10. Canario), 9. Vinicius Tanque and 17. Dioni (87′ 11. Manel).

Referee: Etayo Herrera (Basque)

Bookings for Real Madrid Castilla: Arribas y Rafa Marín
Bookings for ATB: René, Luca Ferrone y Dioni.
Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano: 3.000 Spectators
Post Match Comments:

Xavi Calm: “I think it’s a good point; it was always going to be a complicated game and a difficult ground to play at. Few teams will take points away from here but we played well enough to have earned more. It’s a shame that due to our own shortcomings we didn’t gain the three points, but I’m very happy with the reaction and the attitude of the team. It was a day where we could have got more from the game, but our mistakes were costly. Arribas and the others are incredible players, with a good team understanding that makes them seem much older [than they are]. They will go far and are a great team.”

Luca Ferrone: “There are two lessons. First we have to be happy with the reaction of the team to going behind twice, we are a team who know how to fight. But the point doesn’t feel like enough, it’s a shame about the errors we made. I am a player who is hard working day in, day out, and every day I feel better. This was my first goal for the club in three seasons with ATB and therefore I’m very happy. The group is strong and very close.”