Intercity walked onto the field expecting to take control, but Cornellà impressed with swift counterattacks and sharp discipline, leaving little room for a comeback that might have seemed possible at first glance. The Alicante side started flat, allowing the Catalan visitors to seize the initiative early and set the tone for a game defined by rapid transitions and compact defending. Intercity showed resilience after the break, yet they could not unlock a stubborn defense that consistently punished misplaced touches and rushed decisions on the ball.
In the match, Gustavo Siviero faced personnel setbacks, missing Ferroni on the left flank due to injury and Álvaro Pérez in the heart of defense because of suspension. Despite those absences, his side stuck to a philosophy built on possession and controlled tempo, aiming to dictate the rhythm of play and press high when necessary. It was clear from the outset that this would be a contest decided by seconds, not by long, speculative buildups.
From the opening minutes, Cornellà pressured aggressively, forcing Intercity to abandon their comfortable midfield spacing and engage in a tighter, more direct contest. The Catalans pressed with intent and immediately sought to exploit gaps as Intercity tried to stabilize the midfield battle, turning each turnover into a brisk counterattack that threatened Herrera’s goal with rapid, coordinated moves.
In the fourth minute, the pressure yielded a defensive slip that changed the scoreboard. A corner won by Cornellà slipped into the breakdown of Intercity’s defense, and Rubén Enri found space amid the chaos to slide the ball forward after Emilio Nsue’s contact redirected the ball into his own goal. The home team found itself trailing early, and the early goal underscored how vulnerable Intercity could be when forced to chase the game against a well-drilled opponent.
As the second half began, Intercity attempted to raise the intensity, pushing more bodies forward and looking for clear chances from open play rather than set pieces. Yet Cornellà continued to control the tempo, matching Intercity’s urgency with a disciplined defensive line and counterattacking efficiency. Herrera had to be sharp, pulling off three saves in quick succession around the 55th minute as the Catalans remained dangerous on the break.
At the 60th minute, Enri delivered a decisive moment on another counterattack that passed without a fair offside appeal being acknowledged. He finished clinically past Herrera to make it 0-2, a blow that left Intercity needing a miracle to turn the tide. The home crowd’s hope resurfaced moments later when Xemi earned a penalty, setting up a potential lifeline for the Alicante club. The spot kick was converted by Xemi, cutting the deficit to 1-2 and reigniting belief in a dramatic comeback.
From that moment onward, the balance tipped decisively in Cornellà’s favor. Intercity pressed with urgency as they chased the equalizer, but the Catalans’ defensive organization and counterattacking threat kept them out of reach. The visitors found it increasingly difficult to break the web that Cornellà built around its own half, and the scoreboard remained a constant reminder of the challenge that lay ahead for the Alicante team.
As the minutes ticked away, Intercity’s attempts grew more frantic, and the supporters could sense the end of the dream approaching. The Catalan side, never reckless, maintained composure and continued to threaten on quick transitions, ensuring they remained ahead on the night. The final whistle sealed a second consecutive defeat for Gustavo Siviero’s side, a result that reflected both teams’ approaches and the fine margins that separate victory from defeat in tightly contested fixtures.
The following day, Intercity prepared to travel to Athletic Club B, seeking an opportunity to rebound and return to their usual rhythm on the road. The data sheet below outlines the lineup and key substitutions that shaped the match and the tactical decisions that guided both teams throughout the ninety minutes.
DATA SHEET
CF INTERCITY: Herrera, Guillem Jaime, Angong, Rafa Gálvez, Vadik Murria, Emilio Nsue, Undabarrena, Soldevila, Miguel Merí, Xemi, Pol Roigé, Cristian Herrera, Etxaniz, Aarón Piñan, Carmona.
UE CORNELLÀ: Lucas Anacker, Gerard, Andreu Hernández, Eliseo, Rubén Enri, Baldrich, Gil Muntadas, Álex López, Isaac Nana, Redru, Fullana, Pere Martínez, Nahuel, Alfred.
REFEREE: David Cambronero González. He showed yellow cards to Xemi and Angong for Intercity and to Andreu Hernández, Pere Martínez, Nahuel, and Gerard for Cornellà.
GOAL: 0-1, 4th minute, Emilio Nsue own goal. 0-2, 60 minutes, Enri. 1-2, 62 minutes, Xemi from penalty.
STADIUM: Mayor Antonio Solana.