Aside from the artificial turf, an unfamiliar surface for Juliano Belletti’s players, and the inexperience of a very young team, there are few excuses left for Barça Atlètic to explain their defeat against Andratx (2-1). This leaves them with three out of six possible points in Group 3 of the Segunda RFEF.
The Municipal de Sa Plana wasn’t a nightmare due to its features, with only one side stand, nor was Valencian referee José Martínez’s officiating particularly biased. The local team, which has now claimed six points after also defeating Sant Andreu, didn’t resort to unsportsmanlike tricks. The Barça reserves, sporting orange yesterday, simply lacked precision, game fluidity, and defensive solidity. Nevertheless, they gave it their all with the best attitude.
And this, even though the match couldn’t have started better, with an extraordinary play in the 4th minute by the best Barça Atlètic player, Juan Hernández. Starting as a left winger, he capitalized on his right-footed preference to enter the area and plant a fantastic shot in the top corner. The Teruel native was one of three changes from the 2-0 win against Porreres, alongside Kochen in goal and Walton at left-back. They replaced the injured Dro, Eder Aller, and Oduro, respectively.
Yet Andratx turned the game around within just 12 minutes with quality goals from Meca and an excellent Gabi, executed in well-coordinated plays, steering clear of long balls or direct football.
With the score at 2-1, Andratx locked down their defense with a solid Elías between the posts and sought counter-attacks thwarted by Kochen. Without Guille or Toni, who were substituted during the break, the persistent Sama Nomoko hit the crossbar with a lob, while Tommy Marqués and Víctor Barberà failed to capitalize on good opportunities in added time, now with Dani Rodríguez on the field after his shoulder injury with the first team in Valladolid.
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