Date & Time: Saturday 4th September 2021 – 19:30
Competition: Primera RFEF Grupo II
Venue: Estadi Municipal de la Nova Creu Alta
Author: Les McKee
After the joy of defeating Real Madrid Castilla on home turf last Sunday, Balona are flying north to Catalonia to take on C.E. Sabadell in the first away game of the new Primera RFEF season.
Sabadell were relegated last season from La Liga Smartbank, despite winning their last two fixtures, by just one point.
The drop in division has caused a massive overhaul of the playing squad during the summer as manager Antonio Hidalgo prepared for life back in the third tier.
Loanee Juan Ibiza now plays for Ibiza. Scottish/Spanish goalkeeper Ian/Juan Mackay departed for Deportivo de La Coruña.
Former Balona player Stoichkov is now back in La Liga Smartbank with Eibar. The San Roque native was Sabadell’s top scorer last season.
Aleix Coch has been retained and is the club captain going into his fifth season at the club. The club also kept faith with manager Hidalgo.
C.E. Sabadell have set aside 150 tickets for fans of Balona but for those not travelling you can come along to Peña Balona on Calle Clavel to enjoy all the action.
Clearly the return of the fans had a great impact on the Balona players last weekend and Sabadell are expecting around 4,000 of their fans to attend the game on Saturday evening. Having watched their marketing video for renewal of season tickets it’s clear to see they are a passionate following, something La Recia will need to overcome.
Manager Hidalgo stated in his pre-match press conference that his players are ready to give everything for the fans in the stands.
Sabadell got their season off and running against Sevilla Atlético last weekend and drew 0-0. The clean sheet will have pleased new goalkeeper Kike Royo on his debut.
At the other end of the field debutants Moha Ezzarfani and Jacobo González, who dropped down from La Liga Smartbank sides Mirandes and Tenerife respectively, will have been disappointed not to get on the scoresheet.
Sabadell added more firepower this week with the capture of Kaxe from Ponferradina. Make no mistake, this is a side with intentions of getting promoted back to the second tier at the first attempt.
However, Balona have gotten off to a great start and proved to themselves, as much as everyone else, that they can compete at this level with factory over La Fabrica.
Óscar Rubio, at right back, has a wealth of experience but at 37 years old could Balona use the quick counter attack to get in behind each time he moves forward with the ball?
During last week’s game Sabadell featured no fewer than 10 debutants either as starters or substitutes. Whilst Balona have several new faces in the ranks too they appear to have gelled quickly. Is there an opportunity to prey on the fact that Sabadell have so many players without a lot of playing time together?
Iván Martín played excellently in the first half against Castilla and is a loss up front. His injury provides an opportunity for Gerard Oliva to grab the goals and the glory in Catalonia this time out.
Due to Iván’s injury, the club signed Leandro Martínez this week. His versatility over the years has seen him play left, right or centrally so will boost the options across the front and even in midfield too.
Aly Coulibaly and Alhassan Koroma featured in many experts’ team of the week in Matchday 1. The form of both players is going to be pivotal for La Recia this season. They are players with the ability to change games and will be buzzing with their starts to the season.
Williams and Saygbe are on international duty with Liberia so won’t be making the trip north. Fito Miranda, Jauregui and Andres complete the list of absentees from the squad.
It was clear from the moment the fixture list was published that Balona were facing a tough start with Real Madrid Castilla followed by the newly relegated Sabadell. Come Saturday night could it be two wins from two for Romerito’s side?
PEÑA PICHIGÜEY 