A competitive clash for Eldense, who left a sour taste after the setback against Twente, now sitting in third in the Dutch league. The visitors claimed the win in a match where several lineup changes influenced local standings, thanks to a late goal that sealed the result. Despite the setback, Eldense showed superiority in play but were undone by misfortune.
Álex Martínez, a gift from the kings to Cris Montes
Pablo L. Riquelme
Around the time of Eldense’s comeback, Álex Martínez returned as a Barca player nearly nine months after a cruciate ligament rupture, and the crowd greeted him warmly at the start. Notably, goalkeeper Guille Vallejo and Sergio Ortuño were absent from the squad, marking a strategic decision by the visitors.
The opening phase saw the Blaugranas, in white, press higher while the Dutch side made occasional errors. Juanto earned an early warning for Eldense after a promising run, though his shot was saved by the goalkeeper. The match then settled into a balanced stretch with Eldense showing more ball control, while Twente remained solid defensively.
The tempo lifted around the 25th minute, with Vennegoor testing the frame but firing high. Three minutes later, a strong cross set up Álex Martínez for a header completed by Clemente, but the header was saved. In the following sequence, Twente grabbed the initiative again when Steijn’s shot drifted wide after a fast move from the right by van Bergen.
The match quickened, producing more dynamic plays in front of both goals. The most emotional moment came when Nuevo Pepico Amat applauded a substitution, with Álex Martínez making way for Poloni in the 40th minute. The first half finished with a 0-0 score and the crowd enjoying the spectacle.
Rotations in Eldense
After the break, Estévez reshaped the side by bringing on Zubiaurre, Toni Abad, Carlos Hernández, Jorquera, Álex Bernal and Doué. The fresh lineup pressed higher and soon Toni Abad converted the opening goal following a well-worked move. On the ensuing corner, Dumic and Carlos Hernández showed tenacity but could not finish the loose ball inside the area.
Eldense closed the half of the league in the third best position in the Second League
Pablo Lopez
After the initial surge, the game settled back into a tense rhythm with neither side taking clear control. Estévez brought on Marc Mateu to replace Juanto, leaving Arnau Ortiz as the focal point in attack with Soberón and Andone unavailable.
The 77th minute brought a flurry of activity after a clash between Jorquera and a Twente player. The supporters roared again as the visiting goalkeeper almost mishandled a ball, but the moment faded into a comparatively quiet end to the match.
As stoppage time loomed and the score remained level, Steijn found the net with the Dutch side’s first shot on target, breaking the deadlock and making the late goal decisive. The visitors earned a victory—though their performance had not been clinical in front of goal, the result stood as the decisive moment of the match.
In the end, the Blaugranas were edged out in a match where a single goal decided the outcome. The next fixture loomed large as the league’s second phase began with a visit from Zaragoza on Monday, January 15 (20:30) in a crucial early-season test. [Attribution: CD Eldense]
MATCH COMMITTEE
CD Eldense (0): Aceves (Zubiaurre min. 46), Álex Martínez (Poloni min. 40), Dumic, Piña, Miguel Llambrich (Toni Abad min. 46), Chapela (Bernal min. 46), Timor (Doué min. 46), Capó (Carlos Hernández min. 46), Clemente (Jorquera min. 46), Arnau Ortiz, Juanto (Marc Mateu min. 64).
FC Twente (1): Lars Unnerstall, Pröper, Smal, Eiting (Kuster min. 87), Mitchell van Bergen, van Wolfswinkel (Vennegoor min. 20), Ünuvar (Ribbers min. 87), Stejin, Michel Vlap (Nagel min. 87), Brenet, Max Bruns.
Goals: 0-1 Steijn (min. 90)
Referee: Sergiu Claudiu (Valencia Committee). He issued yellow cards to Eldense players Arnau Ortiz, Carlos Hernández and Jorquera, as well as Twente players Ünuvar and Bruns.
Events: The friendly match between CD Eldense and FC Twente drew 3,090 spectators at the Nuevo Pepico Amat Stadium. [Attribution: CD Eldense]