Data sheet
Eldense’s refreshed setup for the 1 RFEF season began to take shape after a week of hard work, guided by new coach Fernando Estévez and reinforced by several signings from Medio Vinalopó. The aim was clear: start assembling the core pieces of a squad that could compete at a higher level. The team’s first pre-season friendly led them to Pinatar Arena, where they faced Ibiza from the Second Division, a match that promised to test the new look under the desert-like heat of the day, with both sides taking cautious early throws at the ball.
The heat dominated the tempo, but the initial exchanges kept both teams fresh as new players settled in. Ibiza took the initiative, aiming to control possession and probe the gap in Eldense’s defense, particularly through the actions of Guille Vallejo from the middle of the park.
As Eldense began to connect more steadily, they found balance on the right flank and crafted a sharp counter move that opened the scoring. Juanto Ortuño finished with two quick touches at the edge of the area, leaving the goalkeeper with little chance. The defender Ortuño forced a moment of distress in the castle of Fuzato, and the goal promised a shift in momentum. Estévez’s side knew Ibiza well and both teams returned to the field after the timeout with a slower rhythm and greater control, yet lacking the necessary speed to stretch the game. The period ended with Juanto Ortuño delivering the lone strike before the break.
After the break, Eldense carried the momentum and extended the lead. Ibiza did not sit back; instead, they pressed higher and were soon rewarded when Clemente, who had just entered the match, guided the ball into the frame after a neat move on the wing. The second half opened with Eldense maintaining a strong territorial presence, and the fresh energy of the substitutes helped the visitors find some air but also exposed their own fragility against a disciplined Eldense unit. The scoreline reflected the competitive edge both teams showed as the second period unfolded.
Midway through the second half, Eldense added a third goal from long range, a strike that showcased the growing confidence and technical polish of Estévez’s players. Ibiza responded with more intent in attack, piling pressure in the late stages as Cristian Herrera produced a dangerous moment that required a reaction from Eldense’s goalkeeper Stamanakis. The save kept Eldense ahead on the scoreboard and highlighted the goalkeeper’s readiness to step up in a pre-season test.
As the clock ran down, Herrera pulled one back for Ibiza with a sharp right flank move, and the visitors continued to push, believing they could snatch a result. Eldense endured the late surge and adapted to the stretch drive, holding firm as the match moved toward its final minutes. The closing sequence saw both teams trading opportunities, with Miki Villar equalizing in stoppage time after a sequence on the right that found its way into the box. The final whistle left a sense of satisfaction for Eldense, who had faced a well-prepared Ibiza squad while still in the early stages of their own summer program, and showed a level of resilience that hinted at a promising campaign to come.
The friendly at Pinatar Arena, set in area 3, proved to be a deserved test for the two sides. The match featured a lineup with the Ibiza XI including Fuzato, Diop, Galvez, Guerrero, Rodado, Nono, Ivan Morante, Raúl Sánchez, Ze Carlos, Escobar, and Álvaro, with a number of additional players like Chanza and Cristian Herrera also getting minutes. Eldense’s side featured Guille Vallejo starting in goal with Stamanakis coming on at the 46th minute, and a rotation in defense and midfield that brought on Forte, Luque, Pajarero, Alex Martínez, Soberón, and a host of substitutes for strategic experiments. The match delivered four goals and a memorable early glimpse of how both teams intend to approach the season ahead in their respective divisions.
Goals: 0-1 Ortuño, 26 minutes; 0-2 Clemente, 46 minutes; 1-2 Cristian Herrera, 88 minutes; 2-2 Miki Villar, 90 minutes.
Referee: Martinez Montalban.
Events: Pinatar Arena, area 3. This report draws from on-field action and post-match observations, with attribution to the participating clubs and league officials as observed during the game.