Both teams sought to play Wednesday’s pre-season friendly at a high tempo, particularly Cádiz CF, who within the first 10 minutes had already carved out a series of chances to score. The clearest went to Álvaro Negredo, who saw his shot turned off the line by José Masllorens, the RB Linense player diverting the striker’s effort behind for a corner.
Linense sought to respond to Cádiz’s dangerous attacking play, but the defensive solidity and willingness to track back shown by Álvaro Cervera’s men made it impossible for Los Albinegros to create any kind of opening around Juan Flere’s goalmouth. As the minutes ticked by, Linense showed real determination to control possession of the ball, but struggled to use it in a way that brought Cádiz out of their comfort zone.
After a first half in which the best chances had fallen to Cádiz, the two sides made their way in for the break, half time bringing a host of substitutions for both teams. Among those introduced by Cádiz was the Chilean midfielder Tomás Alarcón, who got his first run-out since joining the club. Just as had occurred in the opening stages of the first 45, Los Amarillos mounted several dangerous attacks.
Cádiz were playing on the front foot and dominating the ball, but could not find that final, killer pass. After the hour mark, the pace of the game began to drop noticeably, partly because of the large number of substitutions. However, Cádiz settled immediately into this new phase of the match and remained in control of proceedings.
Shortly before the 80th minute, Milutin Osmajic produced a fine surge down the left to leave two players trailing in his wake, the Montenegrin reaching the byline before cutting the ball back to the penalty spot for Iván Chapela. His header found the back of the net to put Cádiz in front. Minutes later, Osmajic could have doubled his side’s lead after an excellent run left him one on one with Mateusz Kania, but he was denied by the Linense goalkeeper.
In the final minutes, Cádiz focused on keeping the ball in the midfield, seeking to avoid taking any risks in defence and awaiting any openings that might lead to a second. And with time almost up, Osmajic it was who made it 2-0 and sealed victory.
Match stats
RB Linense: Nacho Miras, Óscar Arroyo, Jesús Muñoz, Lavela, Masllorens, Bandaogo, Coulibaly, Dorrio, Koroma, Alcalde and Iván Martín. Mena, Jauregui, Djandi, Andrés, Ñito González and Kania also played.
Cádiz CF: Juan Flere, Akapo, Alcalá, Haroyan, Gudelj, José Mari, Álex Fernández, Nano Mesa, Salvi, Choco Lozano and Álvaro Negredo. Chapela, Osmajic, David Gil, Tomás Alarcón, Malbasic and Bastida also played.
Goals:
0-1, 78th minute, Chapela
0-2, 90th minute, Osmajic
Referee: Orellana Cid (Andalusian referees’ association)
