Intercity added another positive result to their streak, extending nine matchdays without a defeat as they battled to a draw. A late first-half goal from Cristo Romero salvaged a point and kept the Alicante side near the playoff zone. The visitors looked to capitalize on their strong form in Linares, where the newly appointed coach, who arrived after the dismissal of Óscar Fernández, watched from the bench as his team tested Intercity’s resolve.
Linares began with intensity, asserting control early as they pressed high and dictated the tempo. The Jaén side settled into their rhythm, shifting the game to Intercity’s half and inviting the visitors to show how they would respond to the pressure. Intercity, however, found it difficult to penetrate the local defense as Linares established a compact shape and attempted to exploit any lapse in the visitors’ shape. The first real invitation toward goal arrived after a quarter of an hour, when Cristo Romero set up a promising chance, but the effort was neutralized by Soldevila just as the net seemed ready to tremble. The balance shifted again when Linares advanced into the Alicante area, and Manu Herrera, the home goalkeeper, was forced into action as Rafa Llorente’s attempt nearly opened the scoring for the hosts.
The breakthrough finally arrived for Linares when they converted a chance to take the lead. Rafa Llorente delivered a precise ball that found Linares, who beat the charging Herrera with a well-placed strike. The celebration in the neighborhood was brief, as Intercity immediately responded to restore parity. When the first half clock showed its final minutes, Cristo Romero produced a moment of clarity with a fine finish after a delicate move, earning Intercity a deserved equalizer and sending the teams into the break level.
On the resumption, Linares pushed forward again, creating a fresh wave of danger. Dani Perejón tested Herrera with an early effort after the restart, which the Intercity keeper managed to save, keeping the scoreline level. Minutes later, Rafa Llorente and Hugo Díaz combined to probe the visitors’ defense, with both shots threatening the target. The home side continued to press, gaining some momentum and dominating the territorial battle for a period. Despite these attempts, Sandroni’s men found it challenging to sustain their early pressure and convert chances into a second goal. Intercity, meanwhile, remained organized and looked for opportunities to strike on the counter or through set pieces as the match wore on.
As the game progressed, Linares maintained a solid presence in the final third, aiming to claim all three points. Yet the home side’s finishing remained only intermittently precise, and Intercity capitalized on every opening to disrupt Linares’ rhythm. The game’s flow favored a tight, physical contest, with both sides trading moments of danger but failing to craft a decisive breakthrough in the closing stages. The result reflected a fair balance: Linares showed more intent in the final third and created the clearer chances, while Intercity proved resilient, maintaining composure and earning a point that aligns with their recent form and league position.