If there are games that deserve a different end, this was one of them. The derby was heading for a draw, having been entirely evenly balanced from the start, and with Cádiz so solid with their defensive work that they had completely blunted Real Betis. But you pay dearly for one mistake in LaLiga Santander, and that’s exactly what happened. A foul some way out with seven minutes to go ended up with a cross coming in and Juanmi scored to make it 0-1 and decide the fate of the match.
But this Cádiz - playing this way - are usually closer to victory than defeat. That’s the reality. And they showed it from the first minute, when Perea sent the ball to Negredo in the box, but the striker was unable to control facing Joel Robles. Cádiz coach Álvaro Cervera had only made one change to the starting line-up, bringing in Álex for Jairo and with a plan building on what we’d seen at the Camp Nou.
As time went on much of the play took place in the midfield, with few chances from either side. A couple of shots from Víctor Ruiz and Miranda were off-target, and a foul some distance out after half an hour was crossed in by Perea and knocked on by Sobrino, but just failed to reach Negredo.
Cádiz were closer to scoring just before half-time. Joel saved from Salvi’s shot for a corner and a long ball from Ledesma, knocked on by Negredo ended up with Rubén Sobrino taking a shot, but the goalkeeper saved.
The even balance between the sides in the first half continued in the second, with Cádiz somewhat imprecise with the ball at their feet but managing to create some chances, such as the shot from Perea in the 56th minute that Joel Saved. Ledesma was also called into action in the 67th minute, to repel a Guardado effort.
Fali had to come off injured after 76 minutes, with Juan Cala taking his place, before José Mari and Saponjic came on, though the game continued in much the same vein as before. However in the 83rd minute, a foul some distance out was taken short by Betis, leading to a cross that was nodded home by Juanmi. Excessive punishment for Cádiz, but the overall feeling for the team was decent. March will bring more battles for Cádiz.
