The demand from the stands should stay strong, yet it must match the squad’s real capacity. The protest at Nuevo Pepico Amat last Monday showed that supporter expectations do not simply rise with higher salaries. Deportivo, despite one of the smaller budgets, sits mid-table, ahead of teams like Elche.
Fernando Estévez’s group collected a solid haul of points. They did not lose at home, earned an away victory in Cartagena, performed well in Villarreal, and resisted pressure against the league leaders Zaragoza at La Romareda. After five rounds, they hold seven points from a possible fifteen, a total that positions them favorably relative to several peers in the league.
The losses at Alcorcón were partly due to a forced lineup change, which drew criticism from some fans. The episode highlighted the need to balance personnel to press the ball away from their goal and to contest possession with the Madrid side, provoking a range of reactions among supporters and pundits alike.
The coach, who has overseen fifty matches without a public incident, faced questions from reporters about the situation. He urged staying grounded and pragmatic, acknowledging that the season will be demanding and the campaign will stretch long. The message was clear: Deportivo shows resilience, even as supporters tighten the reins and the club works with a budget smaller than many rivals. The Granada coach offered a counterpoint, disagreeing with the idea that his team surrendered ground or pulled back as a tactical choice.
accident or consequence
The debate shifted to a sequence described as accidental, triggered by a late cross and a ball slipping through legs as stoppage time lengthened. Pedro Kapo was noted in connection with the moment. Beyond the coach’s take, the fact remains that Eldense missed a valuable chance to rise and shape the rest of the schedule, which includes trips to Espanyol and Levante and a home date with Real Oviedo in a city steeped in football tradition.
There are currently six leading contenders behind Deportivo: Andorra, Elche, Albacete, Valladolid, Oviedo and Huesca
Still, there is little basis to harshly judge Deportivo’s early stretch. Amorebieta, who joined the league late in the previous season and quickly established himself, sits just behind Elche in the standings. The six hopefuls for promotion listed – Andorra, Elche, Albacete, Valladolid, Oviedo and Huesca – reflect a league that rewards perseverance. Deportivo has been building a project against the clock, earning roughly a point every two games on average despite a negative goal difference. It took decades to rise to the top flight, but one misstep can erase that progress; thus, it is wise not to underestimate how quickly fortunes can shift as the season unfolds.