0-1: Sadiku puts Cartagena ahead

Former Levantinist Armando Sadiku’s goal before half-time, which was validated by VAR after being disallowed for offside, made Cartagena the provisional leader of the Second Division after winning 0-1 this Friday at the Ciutat de València against Levante , who were very chaotic and only created danger from set pieces.

The game began with controversy, as in the first minute referee Arcediano Monescillo awarded a penalty in favor of Levante for Datkovic’s handball after a rebound from goalkeeper Aaarón and then overturned it after consulting VAR and understood that the visiting defender had the hand in a natural position.

After a brilliant start, the game went quiet. Cartagena’s tactical change worked for him and with five defenders he was able to control Levante. Sadiku entered, returning to the Ciutat after his time in 2018, due to the injury of Ortuño (m.21), but this setback did not interfere with the plan of Luis Carrión and his team tried to combine in the midfield , even if the dangerous games did not end. .

With less preparation but more intention, Levante arrived less than a quarter of an hour before the break. Aarón had to work hard after a good header from Soldier, with Franquesa finishing a cross from the left, and that’s the right wing, with De Frutos very participatory, the most active of the Nafti team , who led his team from standing for his punishment.

And when it looked like a draw would accompany the break, Sadiku stuck out a leg to push Datkovic’s pass into the net from a corner kick. VAR also had to intervene, this time to validate the forward’s position as the assistant had initially disallowed the goal. Levante came close to equalizing in a quick finish to the first half, but Joni Montiel’s free-kick hit the crossbar.

With 0-1 in their favour, Cartagena gave the ball to Levante, who were still very stuck in creating play. With just over half an hour remaining, Bouldini jumped onto the field to find the local reaction and the Moroccan attacker narrowly missed a free kick when he only had to push it (m.66).

With no news of Cartagena’s attack, Levante put more gunpowder on the field with the introduction of Cantero and Brugué, who scored last week. But the Valencian team did not carburate, without ideas to penetrate the solid defense of the visit, nor did it pose a danger from set pieces.

The work of Musto and Mikel Rico in midfield stopped Levante’s last attempts to equalize, although Cartagena still had to hold their breath in extra time from Rober Ibáñez, who almost missed out, and then he managed celebrate the temporary leadership of the category.