CD Estepona makes a good start to the league season but fails to break the deadlock against Xerez CD (0-0)

Manolo Sánchez's and Xavi Molist's teams share the points in an intense match with chances at both ends, corresponding to the first day of Group 4 of the Second RFEF

CD Estepona and Xerez CD kicked off their season with a goalless draw at the Francisco Muñoz Pérez stadium, in a match that had everything but the finishing touch needed to break the deadlock. Both teams had clear chances, the woodwork was a constant threat, and the result, despite the draw, left mixed feelings: the home side created more opportunities, while the visitors came closest to snatching all three points in the final stages.

An intense start

Xavi Molist returned to the Muñoz Pérez stadium, and Estepona came out determined to impose their will from the start. With high pressure and an advanced defensive line, Manolo Sánchez's team unsettled a Xerez CD side that, true to their game plan, preferred to sit deep and look for opportunities on the counter-attack.

Julen Jon was a standout player in the home side's midfield, distributing the ball and providing composure during a period in which the red-and-white team clearly controlled the tempo of the match, as did Sandji Baranji, who was chosen as MVP of the day by members of the CD Estepona Fans Facebook group. However, Xerez CD didn't take long to respond: a steal by Isuskiza allowed Óscar Lorenzo to break down the wing and deliver a cross into the box that Rubén Mesa failed to capitalize on (14').

Chances came thick and fast at both ends. Ale Contreras forced Carlos Pantoja into a save with a header, and the ensuing corner again troubled the Azulina defense, who struggled particularly with set pieces. Meanwhile, Rubén Mesa had a one-on-one opportunity ruled out for offside (21').

Set pieces were, in fact, Estepona's most dangerous weapon for much of the match. In the 34th minute, a free kick found Caro's head, which went just wide. Xerez CD, for their part, created chances down the wings, with attempts from Óscar Lorenzo and Guille Campos before halftime, which arrived with the score still unchanged.

Changes and a high-tension ending

At the start of the second half, both managers made substitutions in search of attacking options. Manolo Sánchez brought on Jorge Álvarez and Samu Expósito to add more depth to the home side's attack, while Xavi Molist introduced Julito and Zelu, who would ultimately prove decisive in the final stages.

The game intensified past the midpoint of the second half. Xerez CD found their best attacking form in several consecutive plays: Zelu hit a ball close to the post from a direct free kick (71') and, just three minutes later, Moi sent a shot against the crossbar from another set piece (74'), the clearest chance of the game for the visitors.

Far from being discouraged, Estepona pressed until the final whistle. Pantoja had to be at his best to prevent the home side from scoring on several occasions, and in the 83rd minute, the visitors appealed for a possible penalty for handball inside the area, which the referee waved away. Xerez CD, in turn, appealed for another penalty in the 89th minute after Julito went down, but that too was not given.

With added time completed, the score remained 0-0, a result that both coaches could interpret as fair, although incomplete for their aspirations.

Molist's words

At the end of the match, Xavi Molist assessed his team's approach, which focused on avoiding short passes and exploiting the direct ball towards Rubén Mesa to take advantage of the wingers' speed against the opposing center-backs. The Catalan coach acknowledged that he would have liked to secure all three points, but highlighted the collective effort of a squad he described as "very complete," emphasizing that the level of play remains consistent regardless of who occupies each position. Regarding the potential penalty incident, he admitted he didn't have a clear image of the play.

Technical specifications

CD Estepona: Fran Martínez; Candelas, Heber Pena, Julen Jon, Ariel Herrero (Jorge Álvarez, 56'), Ale Contreras (Samu Expósito, 68'), Ballarín (Nacho Ramón, 56'), Sandji Baradij, Maxi B., Marín and Caro.

Xerez CD: Carlos Pantoja; Guille Campos, Manu Galán (Josete, 87'), Moi, Chacartegui, Raúl López, Isuskiza, Jaime López (Julito, 61'), Óscar Lorenzo (Zelu, 61'), Zequi Díaz (Jaime Fernández, 73') and Rubén Mesa (Fali, 73').

Referee: Víctor García Acosta (Murcia). He booked Maxi, Ariel Herrero, Caro and Sandji for the home team, and Moi and Raúl López for the away team.

Incidents: Match corresponding to the first day of Group 4 of the Second RFEF played at the Francisco Muñoz Pérez with about 2500 spectators, more than 200 fans traveled from Jerez.

The schedule now gives Estepona the opportunity to add their first league victory next Saturday, at 9:00 p.m., in the same venue, against Linares Deportivo.