The year the ‘Lega’ lived dangerously

He Leganes proved his permanence in the silver category of Spanish football, quite a relief with what happened, regardless of how he ended up in the final classification and the points he gets, his worst season since he returned to professional football in 2014-2015.

Leganense were still in a position to reach the 56 points that allowed them to be eleventh that year, the one after their promotion from Segunda B. But not the initial aspirations, nor the composition of squad a priori, or the sensations, are like that.

While it is true that in recent years until relegation from the First Division the club’s trajectory has always been upward, as the return to LaLiga SmartBank seems to take a very different path, to the point of seriously flirting this season with relegation.

All this happened in a year of transition that began in the summer with the change of ownership after the departure of the Moreno Pavón family, one of the most important parts in explaining the recent success of the entity, and the arrival of American group. Blue Crow Sports.

The changes also affected the bench, putting the project on the pitch in the hands of coach Imanol Idiakez with the aim of fighting for promotion by having a squad with names like Jose Arnáiz, Juan Muñoz, Rubén Pardo or Allan Nyom , among others.

However, the road started off on the wrong foot. Three straight defeats at the start of the league and just four points from the first twenty-four left the bottom team after a painful setback at home against Albacete, predicting an ultimatum for the coach in the following day in Cartagena.

To the surprise of many, the Blue and Whites dodged that bullet with a win in Cartagonova, unexpected given the qualifying situation. And this was followed by another match against a direct rival for permanence like Malaga. They also stood up to Levante at home, in what were the first steps of changing dynamics.

The 2-1 defeat against the Granota team was followed by a run of eleven games without defeat (six wins and five draws) with the only regret being the elimination of the Copa del Rey in the first exchange against Gernika in the penalty shootout.

The team certainly has another face and serious options to be hooked in the upper part to fight, at least, to enter the promotion promotion. This was reflected in the winter signings, with the arrival of names like Jon Karrikaburu, Juanjo Narváez or Enric Franquesa. Albacete, this time away from home, was again a turning point. Even worse.

A 1-0 defeat to Carlos Belmonte was followed by two draws, against top rivals such as Eibar and Levante, and a heroic victory against Sporting de Gijón at home, playing one down from minute 35 .That was the last joy for a while. .

The loss to Santander raised doubts and they turned into a whirlwind. Since then, Leganese have gone on two 0-0 draws against Mirandés and UD Las Palmas, and four consecutive defeats against teams from the lower half where they have also failed to score a goal. They did it against Cartagena, but they still lost 1-3. That was the last game of the Idiakez season.

Leganés, who dreamed of getting on the front wagon a few weeks ago, face a clash with Ponferrada that could leave them just two points from relegation if they lose. A discount goal from Sergio González gave Carlos Martínez, the subsidiary coach, victory on his debut and some peace of mind amid the chaos.

That victory was followed by another at Butarque against Villarreal B and, despite two consecutive defeats at Vitoria and Tenerife, another discount win against Huesca almost got the job done. The 0-3 win in Burgos ended it.

Now a summer marked by complexity appears on the horizon. Everything indicates that a new tenant will be sought for the bench, having to deal with a squad that could suffer many casualties at the end of the contract with up to twelve players. And all this in an economic situation that is more equal to other clubs and to a social mass that, although loyal, seems to have become dissatisfied and disappointed in 2022-2023. There is more homework ahead.