Valladolid ‘undressed’ the Spanish

Last year spanish They suffered more than many expected to achieve a promotion that only became a reality at the end of four playoff games. In the regular stage of the competition the team provides floating and although never leaving the direct promotion or playoff zone, except on the first day, he did not show enough ability to blindly believe that promotion would be a reality by the end of the year.

In his debut in the league, this Monday at ValladolidManolo González’s team showed, especially in a forgettable first half, because the coach himself admitted at the end of 90 minutes, many of those defects that hindered their performance during the 2023-24 season.

Lack of intensity

If at many stages of the competition the Second Division team was blamed for a lack of intensity, it was the key to the four playoff games, contributing to the team’s return to the First Division. However, in the first change, in José Zorrilla, especially in the first half, the ghost of a team that has not yet entered the game, despite being behind the scoreboard from the 23rd minute, reappeared.

Individual mistakes

Valladolid’s goal play perfectly sums up this aspect. Passing to nobody in the middle of the field allowed Valladolid’s interception of the ball and a move to the left wing of the local attack for Raúl Moro to control, do whatever he wanted with Omar, leaving him with too much space. , and can rehearse a shot. Sergio Gómez’s rebound of the ball that tripped Joan Garcia was bad luck, really; the above, no.

Low speed

The circulation of the ball against Pezzolano’s team never reached, especially in the first 45 minutes, the minimum speed required in the top category. This greatly facilitated the work of Valladolid who had time to position themselves, correct positions and cover all access routes to their goal.

Lack of ideas

At some moments of the game, it was annoying to see how at the beginning of the play the ball went from the foot of Sergi Gómez to Cabrera, from him to Romero, from the left hand back to the parakeet captain.. .

Without ending

And as a result of all this, the team went to half-time with almost no sign of life against the local team. After the break, yes, maybe there are up to three dangerous approaches, some of which could be equalizers. But in general, the impression left is that if, instead of a Valladolid who had just enough and recently promoted, the Spanish returned to the First Division against a ‘big team’, the outcome could have been worse.

There’s still time left, both to put together the pieces the team needs and correct course. But it is advisable to start doing it from the next game because this thing of football is how it ends, but straightening the paths that start crooked is not always easy. Not really.