It wasn’t long before leading the pack became a badge of victory for Intercity. This story unfolds in the First RFEF, and it isn’t the first time the club has faced upheaval in its coaching ranks. Alexander Sandroni stepped in after a difficult stretch, and the change coincided with a home draw against Numancia, a result that left Alicante fans with a bitter aftertaste. Sorianos never dominated the play, yet a late balance in the scoreboard preserved the sense that one misstep could prove costly for both sides.
The decision to alter the lineup was swift. Sandroni rotated half of Gustavo Siviero’s preferred outfield players for his first game in charge of the “men in black.” The most notable move saw Venezuela’s MikuHe make his first start for Intercity, wearing a protective mask as he lined up.
The new Argentinian coach wasted little time flashing a smile, as Alicante moved ahead thanks to a tactic he had put in place within the opening ten minutes. Aarón Piñán forced the issue, and Álvaro Pérez converted the chance that followed.
Intercity’s attacker fired a long shot from outside the area, testing Numancia’s defense and igniting a quick counter through the middle. Meanwhile, Ayesa stepped forward to intercept with purpose. Piñán read the moment well, dancing around the goalkeeper and delivering a cheeky effort that tested the goalie even though the ball had drifted off target.
In the referee’s book, the penalty became the turning point. A contact in the box was penalized with a spot kick, and Álvaro Pérez did not miss, putting Intercity ahead at Antonio Solana. The game then settled into a rhythm where Intercity defended deep and tried to exploit counter chances, attempting to recapture the sharpness that had defined their successful past era under the previous Argentine coach.
At 1-0, Intercity backed into their shells and focused on solidity. Attempts from Rubén Mesa and a long-range effort by Valín before halftime nearly produced a second, but Manu Herrera was equal to the task on the save front.
draw in a corner
Then reality struck Sandroni’s team again. A paused sequence set the tone for a tense spell when Íñigo Muñoz delivered a corner from the left, Fer Román rose highest and headed home to restore parity. The goal changed the dynamic, and Intercity found themselves locked in a tight battle rather than coasting to a win.
The action almost repeated moments later as another Muñoz corner found the left flank. The ball slipped through a crowded box, and Bonaldo finished from the penalty spot. Luckily for Intercity, the defense recovered to deny the Soriano midfielder the chance to convert a potential 2-1 lead.
The clock wore on, and neither side managed to tip the balance decisively. Numancia seemed content with a draw that kept their playoff hopes alive, while Intercity pressed on for a full three points that would anchor Sandroni’s new project.
In this framework, the scoreboard remained stubbornly static. Alicante’s supporters hoped for a late burst as Guillem Jaume, who entered the game in the second half, generated two good chances. The first came from a clever exchange between winger Miguel Marí and Nsue, who found himself in a promising shooting position but could not beat the opponent’s last line. The second chance saw Guillem deliver a dangerous cross from the right that Xemi narrowly missed at the far post. This moment underscored Sandroni’s need to cultivate a consistent attack, reinforcing the idea that Intercity’s long-term stability would hinge on translating chances into goals.
The match report centering on this clash highlights the key figures involved. Intercity: Herrera; Ferroni, Undabarrena, Bellotti, Cedric, Nsue, Miku, Vadik, Álvaro Pérez, Xemi, and Aarón Piñán, with Guillem Jaume appearing later. Numancia: Ayşe, Valín, Simic, Fer Román, Jaume Pol, Dani Sánchez, Toni Arranz, Bonaldo, Mancebo, Íñigo Muñoz, and Rubén Mesa, with substitutions listed as needed.
Goals: 1-0 from Álvaro Pérez on 9 minutes via the penalty spot, and 1-1 from Fer Román on 60 minutes.
Referee: Marta Huerta de Aza. Nsue and Jaume warned Pol.
Stadium: Antonio Solana, Alicante.