A victory away from home was needed even if football was not embroidered, and that’s how it happened. Real Valladolid achieved a fundamental victory and did not play their best game, although they did not play badly either. The clash in Cartagena was an exchange of blows from which the pucelanos benefited from their best individuals and because Masip unbalanced the balance in favor of the blanquivioleta team. It was a great game for the Catalan, possibly the best in a long time and one of the best he has done since he arrived at Zorrilla. This Masip does convince. The one of the last two years did not give what the team needed. And his contribution was quite necessary because the defensive system was vulnerable. Cartagena has quality and exploited the paths it found against a very offensive Valladolid that came close to not winning the game. But The very good individualities that Pacheta has at his command appeared.
One more time rock table it was differential. It is the axis of the whole game. And the performance of Tony Villa, each day more grown in his game and with more confidence when it comes to unbalancing. If on top of that he has a goal, the differential player is finally appearing that in previous years he did not finish specifying. I also highlight Nacho. The great solution to attack from the left and complement Toni. He once again came all the way to the baseline to assist. Valladolid exploited the left wing much more in the absence of a winger on the right. Plano flees from the lime and looks for the center while Luis Pérez has too much field for him. And good for the changes of Pacheta. the output of Anwar and Monchu He brought energy and security to a group that was beginning to succumb in the center. It was not Aguado’s best day and Monchu’s presence solved the problem. I have a feeling that Pacheta has three starters in midfield for two positions. And while Mesa is untouchable, the other place may begin to opt for Monchu if Aguado does not return to the level that he offered in the first round. And I’m happy for Anuar. His goal and his post-assistance by Morcillo last week are the reward for which he does not relax for not playing and always gives what he has. And those minutes of refreshment and legs that Anuar is giving are helping the team a lot.
But beyond the game is victory. To continue adding and to continue forcing rivals to win. And someone, sooner or later, will fail again. The next appointment is the Amorebieta in Zorrilla. It will be the typical pucelano monologue game where the key will be to get it right in front of the goal. And then two very tough outings to Tenerife and Oviedo. The calendar is not comfortable and that is why it was vital to win in Cartagena. Objective accomplished. There is a lot to play for but there is less and less. And as Luis Aragonés said, it’s about winning, winning, winning and winning again.