The Estadio Municipal de La Línea becomes the unofficial capital of Andalucían Football this week as three of the region’s four La Liga sides are in town for pre-season friendly games.

Fans will be treated to three games over four nights featuring Cádiz C.F., Sevilla FC and Real Betis Balompié.

First up on Wednesday evening Real Balompédica Linense will host Cádiz CF (Kick-Off 19:00).

This will be a first opportunity for Balona fans to watch their new look side under manager Antonio Ruiz. The coach known as Romerito has promised the fans “a fierce team” in the famous black and white stripes this season. There were certainly glimpses of this in the opening friendly defeat against Bournemouth at the Marbella Football Center on Friday.

La Recia lost 4-2 but the opening goal that saw Alhassan Koroma use his trickery to fashion an opening for his twin Alusine to power home was hopefully a sign of things to come. Luis Alcalde’s penalty was assured and with last season’s penalty taker Pito Camacho now departed from the club, Alcalde certainly proved his claim to be on spot kicks this term.

Cádiz ended a fifteen-year absence from La Liga and boy did they make an impact upon their return. Manager Alvaro Cervera affectionately known as “Gafas” continually set up his side to concede possession to the opposition. The side were well drilled, worked hard and were a very cohesive unit which made them incredibly hard to break down. On those occasions when teams did get through, they still had to get past the steadfast Jeremias Ledesma in goal which was no easy feat. The on-loan Argentinian stopper has since been made a permanent signing for the Yellow Submarine.

When Cádiz gained possession, they were decisive in using full backs Espino and Iza as outlets to get the ball back to front quickly. Álvaro Negredo formally of Man City brought goals and experience at the top end of the field as Cádiz won their first four away games without conceding a goal. This included famous victories over Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid. They added the scalp of Barcelona to the list of victories in December. A poor run of results after the turn of the year mainly due to injuries to several key players seemed to be dragging the side into a relegation battle. However, Cervera was ready for this eventuality and the acquisition of Rubén Sobrino on loan from Valencia and the return to the side of midfield maestro Alex proved to be the catalyst they needed to get back to amassing points.

In the end Cádiz beat the drop with several games to spare and ended with a 12th place finish. A fantastic effort from all in yellow and they are now building towards another season of La Liga football.

Balona will be the third opponent of Cádiz’s preparations. Barbate were defeated 6-0 in their opener and on Saturday evening Atlético Sanluqueño ran out victors. Dani Güiza missed a penalty before scoring the winner for Atlético Sanluqueño. Balona will face Atlético Sanluqueño in the inaugural season of the Primera RFEF this year and we will find out the date of those fixtures when the calendar is announced on Tuesday 20th July.

Fans will only have to wait 24 hours before the next game. Sevilla FC face UD Las Palmas from La Liga Smartbank.

Diego Carlos (Brazil) and Bryan Gil (Spain) are in Tokyo for the Olympics but based on the Sevilla side that defeated Coventry City 4-0 at the weekend the team they field could feature the likes of club legends Ivan Rakitic and Jesús Navas. Former Liverpool youth starlet Suso may also take some part in the game.

The final game of the trio sees Real Betis square off against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening (Kick-Off 19:00).

Real Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini achieved his objective last season leading the Beticos back into Europe. Los Verdiblancos will take part in the Europa League this season and will be desperate to go all the way with the Final scheduled to be played at cross city rivals Sevilla’s Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium.

Real Betis also ran out 4-0 winners this weekend in their friendly with FC Winterthur. Borja Iglesias getting amongst the goals.

Wolves parted company with Nuno Espírito Santo at the end of last season. He will now be in the dugout for Tottenham Hotspur this season. The new man at the helm is Bruno Lage. The appointment of the former Benfica boss keeps the Portuguese continuity at the club that has several of the Euro 2020 Portugal squad amongst their ranks.

This game certainly seems to have captured the imagination of the many Premier League fans that now reside in and around the Campo de Gibraltar and a large attendance is expected.

It’s also chance for local fans of Cádiz, Sevilla and Real Betis to see their heroes up close and personal too.

So, come along and witness a hat-trick of top-class action at the Estadio Municipal.

Tonight at 19:00 at the Estadio Municipal de La Línea: REAL BALOMPÉDICA LINENSE-CÁDIZ CF

Copy: Les McKee | Images: Real Balompédica Linense

Date: Friday 16th July 2021

Competition: Pre-season Friendly

Venue: Marbella Football Center

Real Balompédica Linense took to the pitch for the first time under new manager Romerito and although they ended up losing 4-2 to English Championship side Bournemouth there were positives to take from the performance.

The game took place at the Marbella Football Center, behind closed doors. Thankfully, the visitors were live streaming through their website so fans from the Dorset Coast to the Playa Santa Barbara could tune in.

Romerito’s first selection saw both Koroma twins selected to start a match for La Balona for the first time. New signings Lavela, Bandaogo and Jauregui also made their debuts in the starting XI with Momodou Cham stepping up from the B team.

There was also a new manager in the opposing dugout as Scott Parker took charge of the Cherries for the first time.

It was the English visitors who took the lead with former Arsenal player Jaidon Anthony using a defender to guide his finish past the outstretched Nacho Miras.

Miras was called into action twice more as Bournemouth started the assert control. On both occasions Miras showed what a top-class goalkeeper he is. The second save saw him dive at the feet of Dominic Solanke as the ex-Liverpool striker tried to round him. Nacho Miras was one of the key players in Balona achieving their aim last season of taking their place in the inaugural Primera RFEF this season.

Then we saw a sight we the fans of La Balona will want to see again and again this season. Alhassan Koroma teed up his twin and Alusine Koroma struck with power from just inside the box to level the scores. The goalscorer dropped to his knees and placed a kiss on the Marbella turf in celebration

Bournemouth pushed to regain the lead and Gavin Kilkenny drilled a low effort which whizzed past the post much to the relief of the Balona defence who had afforded him too much space.

As is standard fare in pre-season friendlies half time brought with it a swathe of changes on both sides as the new managers aimed to get a good look at as many players as possible.

Bournemouth adjusted faster and fired two goals in quick succession. Stacey’s cut back from the by-line was smashed home from close range by Dominic Solanke. Moments later Kyle Taylor picked up the rebound from a save by new keeper and drilled the ball back into the goal for 3-1.

La Recia regathered themselves and fought back against the side who last season missed out on promotion to the Premier League in the play-offs. Referee Dominguez Cervantes awarded a penalty to Balona. Luis Alcalde stepped up confidently and despite the keeper guessing the right way his penalty was too good and nestled in the bottom corner.

The substitutions continued with the visitors introducing several young players keen to impress. Fatigue was certainly a factor for the Albinegros and after only four days of training with the new coach they found themselves conceding a fourth. It was Kyle Taylor once again adding his name to the scoresheet for a brace. Taylor swept home a cutback which found him all alone 12 yards out.

Next up for Balona, it’s the visit of Cadiz CF to the Estadio Municipal on Wednesday evening. This will be another stern test for the squad and a chance to shine in front of the fans for the first time under former player Romerito’s stewardship.

Whilst this match may have ended in defeat there are positives to take and lessons to learn. The fitness gained from this fixture can only help the side as they work towards that all important first league game on 29th August.

We are still to see what new signings Borja Lopez and Gerard Oliva will bring to the team.

Cádiz had a phenomenal season in La Liga last season in which they beat both Barcelona and Real Madrid on their way to a 12th place finish some 10 points clear of relegation.

They started their pre-season by fielding a strong side against Barbate and running out victors 6-0.

Copy: Les McKee | Images: Real Balompédica Linense