Cádiz CF got further game time under their belts on Friday, in their second friendly since beginning their pre-season training camp in Marbella. In a match that was hard-fought right from the off, Álvaro Cervera’s men went down to a 2-0 defeat to RCD Espanyol at La Quinta.
In an intense opening period, a well-drilled Cádiz defended stoutly against Espanyol’s forward incursions and waited for opportunities to create danger on the break. Meanwhile, Vicente Moreno’s side kept possession as they sought openings through which to penetrate the Cádiz defence.
As the minutes went by, chances fell to both sides. Espanyol’s Sergi Darder and Raúl de Tomás tried their luck from outside of the area, while Milutin Osmajic and Iza Carcelén had attempts for Cádiz. Shortly before half time, Wu Lei turned the ball into the net after a great save by Cádiz goalkeeper David Gil, but his strike was chalked off for offside and the teams went in for the break with the scores still goalless.
Soon after half time, Espanyol took the lead, Darder making it 1-0 when he headed a cross from the wing in past Gil. Los Pericos then had chances to add to their goal tally, but were denied by the Cádiz keeper.
Los Amarillos were very much still in the game and carved out opportunities to level, the clearest of which went to Nano Mesa. In the 80th minute, he won the ball back on the edge of the area and found himself in on goal, only for the keeper to block his shot with his body. A few minutes later, Nico Melamed beat Gil from outside of the area to double Espanyol’s advantage and seal victory for the Catalans.
Match facts:
Cádiz CF: David Gil, Marcos Mauro, Haroyan, Akapo, Arzamendia, Iza, Bastida, Alarcón, Choco, Osmajic and Negredo. Gudelj, Fali, José Mari, Jonsson, Nano Mesa, Malbasic and Chapela also played.
Goals:
0-1, 52nd min, Darder
0-2, 85th min, Melamed
