Time was limited for the Eldense squad as they left the Copa del Rey disappointment behind to focus on a league test against the top team in their division. Early Wednesday night, the group returned to Elda and by Thursday morning they were already on the training ground, gearing up for a Sunday clash at Leganés. The match, scheduled for 18:30, would be played at the home of the league leaders, a demanding challenge for the visitors who hoped to disrupt the pace of LaLiga SmartBank’s pace-setters.
Blaugrana form has dipped lately, marked by three straight defeats against Sporting de Gijón, Tenerife, and Málaga. In those three fixtures combined they failed to find the back of the net, a worrying drought that has extended across both the league and the cup campaign.
A gray hand falls out of the Copa del Rey
There was a palpable sense of frustration after the cup exit at La Rosaleda. The defeat stung, and the coach articulated a common sentiment among the squad: luck and efficiency in front of goal were the missing ingredients. Eldense had shown early signs of strain a few days earlier when a draw against Mirandés hinted at the difficulty of maintaining performance under pressure. They created chances, and the two goals they produced in that prior encounter cost them dearly in the final tally. In this context, converting opportunities against Tenerife would be crucial if they hoped to climb the table again, making each finish inside the box even more essential.
Leaving the more regular starters on the bench for the cup tie against Málaga came at a price. In the first half, the Eldense side failed to assert themselves as a top-tier unit. In the second, the veteran goalkeeper anchored Malaga’s defense and kept his sheet clean, denying a late comeback that could have sparked real momentum.
Fernando Estévez: “I am happy, Eldense is fighting well despite the defeats”
There is a sense that misfortune is temporary. The team began the league with a high scoring run, tallying nine goals in the opening six rounds. While the front line has delivered plenty of firepower, certain regulars have hit barren runs. Andone has not found the net since the derby with Elche, Juanto Ortuño has not scored since the last Copa del Rey draw, and Salcedo has notched a goal since October’s incident with Ferrol. The only forward to enjoy a recent scoring touch was Soberón, whose contribution came in the Mirandés tie, nearly three weeks prior.
Despite the player’s work rate and relentless effort, the lack of goals has become a test of resilience for the forward line. Therefore, Sunday’s trip to Leganés takes on added significance. Facing the league leaders offers a real stage to demonstrate that the scoring instinct remains intact and that it is only a matter of time before goals flow again.
In the Second Division, momentum swings quickly, and the path out of a negative run demands consistency and momentum. Eldense has experienced a run of results that has tested confidence, particularly in the final third of the pitch. The upcoming match against Leganés, the championship leader, presents a unique opportunity to reassert themselves. Leganés currently sit atop the table with 36 points, having conceded relatively few goals and boasting a sturdy defense, yet their soft spot is a recent dip in form that could be exploited by a hungry Eldense attack.
Leganés have also had a tighter schedule of late, with a cup match scheduled the day after this league fixture, which could tilt fatigue in favor of the visiting side. The tactical emphasis for Eldense will be to convert chances and apply sustained pressure on a defense that has shown vulnerability at key moments while maintaining discipline in defense to avoid giving away cheap goals.
In summary, the Segunda Division narrative remains dynamic, with teams chasing consistency and depth across a long season. Eldense aims to translate effort into results, especially against a team that has dominated the league standings, by maintaining compact defense and rediscovering their attacking rhythm at the right moments.