Data sheet:
Cadiz opened the match with Mauricio Pellegrino at the helm, aiming to stifle the opposition and keep a clean sheet. The new coach preferred a cautious approach, and his team leaned on solid organization to keep Athletic at bay. Despite the shift in leadership, the game remained tight and largely devoid of clear scoring chances early on, with Unai Simón called upon only for routine work rather than spectacular saves.
Inside a meeting with almost no opportunity, a few moments by Unai Simón and shots from Rubén Alcaraz and Chris Ramos highlighted the little threat posed by the Gaditans and the visitors respectively. In practice, the match did little to separate the teams, and the scoreline reflected the balance on the field.
The encounter pitted two teams chasing different objectives. Athletic aimed to secure a place in European competition after advancing in the Copa del Rey against Barcelona, while Cádiz, mired in a long winless spell across league fixtures, sought a breakthrough to turn around their season. The recent dismissal of Sergio González and Pellegrino’s arrival had injected a new dynamic at the Cadista bench, setting the stage for a tactical shift and fresh intentions from Cádiz.
Pellegrino made two changes to his starting lineup with Iza Carcelén and Sobrino stepping in for Zaldúa and Sergi Guardiola. Valverde, by contrast, opted for a more radical refresh, making seven alterations as Athletic sought to adapt after their cup campaign. The tactical setup saw Cádiz line up in a 4-4-2 with Rubén Sobrino operating near Chris Ramos, marking Ramos’s first foray into the attack as his header from a free kick went wide. Cádiz appeared to regain confidence as the match progressed, aided by a compact shape that limited the space available to Athletic in the middle of the park.
Neither side could seize control for long, and both outfits probed without establishing a decisive edge. Alcaraz attempted a long-range strike that ricocheted off an Athletic player, underscoring the ongoing contest. Cádiz showed more spirit going forward, yet the danger to Unai Simón remained limited, with the home defense repelling occasional hazards emanating from set pieces. Athletic did threaten mainly through corners, but a robust Cádiz rearguard kept the visitors at bay. Unai Simón also produced a significant moment through a sharp intervention on a direct free kick from Alcaraz, preserving a clean sheet at the interval. Vesga had previously blocked a solo run by Robert Navarro, earning the first yellow card of the match and setting up a potential set-piece opportunity for Cádiz. In the equaliser of the moment, the game walked a fine line between cautious defense and sporadic bursts of attack from both sides.
About thirty minutes in, Iván Alejo tested his luck twice, first with a high shot and then with a header that narrowly missed the near post. Adu Ares also fired after control but sent his attempt high, signaling that the match could ignite if either team found a reliable rhythm. For a period the midfield play took precedence over direct attacking moves, resulting in a balanced struggle with little to separate the teams. Athletic showed more intensity but failed to convert pressure into meaningful opportunities, while Cádiz stayed sturdy at the back and looked dangerous on direct forays forward.
Adu Ares emerged as the most active Cadista in attack, repeatedly testing the visitors. The Basque side continued to press, but their pockets of momentum did not translate into clear chances. Athletic displayed moments of promise, yet the final ball eluded them, and the Cádiz defense remained resolute. The scoring chances remained scarce, underscoring a tense stalemate as the first half wore on. Midway through the second period, Valverde responded with a triple substitution, bringing on Yuri, Sancet, and Jauregiar for Lekue, Vesga and Unai Gómez, signaling a shift toward more direct pressing and ball retention in midfield. The alteration aimed to reassert control, and the hosts watched as the visitors attempted to tune their approach to break the deadlock. Pellegrino did not respond with immediate changes, awaiting opportunities to exploit the hosts’ renewed initiative.
A miscue by Ledesma allowed a late central clearance to fall short and generate another corner for Cádiz, but the set-piece failed to yield a decisive moment. Adu Ares continued to be the most industrious attacker for the Reds and Whites, and after a collision he left the field with Nico Williams entering the fray to partner with his brother in the attacking setup. Valverde then intensified efforts with twenty minutes left, bringing Guruzeta to replace Villalibre and reshaping the front line. Pellegrino finally reacted in the 72nd minute by bringing Sergi Guardiola on for Sobrino, a move that created a clearer two-pronged attack but temporarily reduced the defensive support offered by Sobrino in his usual role.
The match bannered on with Athletic pressing higher, fielding more starters and pushing Cádiz to defend deeper. Yet the finishing touch remained elusive, and Cádiz endured the rising pressure with composure. As the clock wound down, Pellegrino appeared ready to accept the draw, replacing Chris Ramos with Álex Fernández to reinforce the midfield and ballast the central areas at the expense of a solitary striker. Guruzeta earned a direct effort that dipped toward Fali during stoppage time, one of the few late chances of the match, while the stoppage time added only minutes with no decisive breakthrough for either side.
In the final moments the teams traded cautious possession but failed to engineer winner after a tense 90 minutes at the Nuevo Mirandilla. The clash finished with neither side able to convert their opportunities into a victory, leaving both groups with questions about their forward options and how they might translate control into meaningful results going forward.
Data sheet:
Cadiz: Ledesma; Iza, Fali, Chust, Pires; Alcaraz, Escalante; Alejo, Robert Navarro, Sobrino, Chris Ramos; and Alex Fernandez. Substitutes: Brian Ocampo, Sergi Guardiola. Coach: Pellegrino.
Athletic: Unai Simon; De Marcos, Yerai, Vivian, Lekue; Vesga, Herrera; Ares, Gomez, Iñaki Williams, Villalibre. Substitutes: Yuri, Sancet, Jauregizar, Guruzeta. Coach: Valverde.
Judges: Busquets Ferrer and team. Yellow cards: Vesga, Lekue, Alcaraz, Fali, Alejo, Escalante. Attendance: 18,839 at the Nuevo Mirandilla stadium.