Alcoyano has important work ahead before stepping onto the legendary field at Gaunas. Their league opener against Logroñés Sports Club is scheduled for Sunday, with first whistle at 12 noon. Earlier tonight, at 20:00, Vicente Parras’ squad could seal regional FA Cup glory, a title that not only adds silverware but also helps maintain momentum toward qualification for the next phase. The King’s Cup remains a competition where Deportivo has shined in recent seasons, and success here would broaden the club’s horizon in national football.
Past fixtures like the clashes at El Collao following Real Madrid’s exit in the middle of the pandemic, or Levante’s ascent in Primera last year, remind Alicante fans that beating the opponent is essential. The road to the national stage leads through Alzira’s municipal stadium, a venue already visited in the tournament’s current round as both historic Community clubs aim for a place in the semi-finals. The Valencian town hosts a meeting of two storied clubs whose paths had not crossed since December 15, 2019, when both faced each other in the Third Division after Deportivo’s fall from the higher tier.
That season proved to be the only one Alcoyano spent in that level after nearly two decades in Segunda B, and the memory of that 4-0 result still lingers for the El Collao faithful. When the nationwide state of alarm was declared in March 2020 and football paused due to the covid-19 pandemic, there was no rematch to settle old scores.
The winner advances to the national stage, where the four semi-finalists of the cup earn a ticket to the Copa del Rey.
Remarkably, both squads tested their mettle against Alcoyano in the final preseason clash last Saturday. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, a sign that Vicente Parras’ team held their own in a tight affair. In terms of results, Alicante’s side closed the summer with a balanced run: eight games played, four wins on foreign soil, and the rest split between draws and victories against teams from lower divisions back at El Collao. The frame of the preseason showed a team capable of competing at a high level while still ironing out cohesion and rhythm for the regular season ahead.
Without Pedro Sánchez or Moyita
Alcoyano’s best football surfaced in the FA Cup, where they drew with Atzeneta at Los Arcos and then beat Orihuela, finishing top of their group. The choice of Algemesí as the regional final venue drew a mixed reaction from Alcoyano supporters, as travel time loomed large for the away fans. The proximity of Alzira’s supporters to the stadium—only about fifteen minutes away—added to the electric atmosphere expected in a regional final that carries real implications for the national journey.
The victor of this final will secure a place in the national stage of the RFEF-affiliated tournament, which is set to begin on September 28 with a schedule of thirty-two rounds. Vicente Parras will be without two reinforcements, Sergio Moyita and Pedro Sánchez, due to injuries, while a young squad member, Carles Fairy, recently underwent ankle surgery and is unavailable for the near term. The collective effort, though, remains focused, as the squad can lean on a growing cohesion and a tactical plan that has shown promise in training and in prior cup encounters. The campaign ahead demands resilience, sharp transitions, and the willingness to chase every opportunity that presents itself on match day.