Barça Atlètic’s journey towards direct promotion faced a significant setback following a demoralizing defeat against Unionistas in Salamanca. This loss not only ended their impressive 12-game unbeaten run. But also widened the gap to a concerning six points behind the league leaders, Deportivo.
The game at Reina Sofía Stadium unfolded disastrously for Rafa Márquez’s side. Particularly during a first half that could only be described as a nightmare. From the outset, Barça Atlètic struggled to match the intensity of Unionistas. The home team’s vigorous play and strategic execution overpowered the visitors. Barça’s defense, consisting of Moha, Mbacke, Faye, and Gerard Martínez, unable to thwart Unionistas’ penetrating lateral crosses and second-line runs.
The scoring opened in the 10th minute with a well-crafted play by Álvaro Gómez, who set up Slavy in front of a solitary Kochen. The lead was quickly doubled as Slavy headed home from a corner, beating Pau Prim. Barça Atlètic’s attempts to stabilize were in vain, and they conceded a third goal just before halftime. This time, Alfred Planas found Mario Losada at the penalty spot, who made no mistake in punishing Barça Atlètic further.
Another setback for Trilli
In a bid to salvage the game, Márquez introduced Trilli and Percan in the second half, which briefly sparked some hope. Despite Unionistas’ continued dominance, Percan managed to capitalize on a rare defensive slip to score in the 71st minute, momentarily igniting dreams of a miraculous comeback. However, these hopes were short-lived as Pelayo, another substitute, struggled to adjust. Rastrojo took advantage, chipping Kochen in the 76th minute to seal a 4-1 victory for Unionistas.
Adding to Barça Atlètic’s woes, Trilli, recently back from a muscle injury and subbed in to make a difference, had to leave the pitch again due to new muscle discomfort. This compounded the gloom for Márquez’s team, marking a “black night” for the squad in Salamanca.
This defeat not only halts Barça Atlètic’s impressive unbeaten streak but also poses serious questions about their capability for automatic promotion this season. As they regroup and refocus, the team must address the defensive frailties and find the resilience to bounce back in the upcoming matches.
Discover more from Barça Buzz
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
