Lorca Deportiva 0–2 CD Estepona: a decisive victory in the fight to avoid relegation

CD Estepona secured one of the most important victories of the season this Saturday with a 2-0 win over Lorca Deportiva at Francisco Artés Carrasco Stadium. The Red-and-Whites not only earned three invaluable points. They also left a clear impression on the field: this team believes in staying up. Facing an opponent in the upper half of the standings, Manolo Sánchez’s team put together one of their most complete performances of the season, dominating the match for much of the ninety minutes and punishing Lorca at the decisive moments.

A victory that shakes up the bottom of the standings once again. And keeps the fight alive. Image: CD Estepona | Santiago Díaz

A clear plan from the first minute Estepona took the field with a very clear idea: press high and not let Lorca play comfortably. The plan worked from the start. For much of the first half, the red-and-white team managed to disrupt the Murcian side’s ball movement and created several dangerous chances that could have put them ahead.

The starting lineup featured some new faces: Liceras Ballarín – Maxi – Caro – Marín – Candelas Duarte – Juanan – Samu Expósito

Héber – Ariel The presence of Maxi in defense instead of Titi and Juanan in midfield were the main surprises in the lineup. The match went into halftime tied at zero, but with the feeling that Estepona deserved more. ## The toughest moment

After the break came the toughest stretch of the match for the red-and-white side. Between the 45th and 60th minutes, Lorca had its best spell and managed to push Estepona back into its own half. But the team held firm. And just when it seemed the match might tip in the home side’s favor, the blow came.

Samu Expósito breaks the deadlock In the 61st minute, the play that changed the game unfolded. A long ball from Alfonso Liceras was brought down by Héber on the right wing after a great individual run past three defenders.

The ball eventually reached Candelas, who found Samu Expósito unmarked at the left corner of the box. The Rojillo midfielder capitalized on a major defensive lapse by Lorca and finished coolly in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, placing the ball into the far corner.

The 0-1 came at the most difficult moment of the match. And it completely changed the game. ## Ariel seals the match Lorca tried to react, but Estepona maintained their composure and intensity. In the 82nd minute came the play that sealed the match.

After a long clearance by the home goalkeeper, Sandji Baradji won a physical duel in midfield and unleashed a powerful long-range shot from over thirty meters out. The ball crashed against the post. And there appeared Ariel, the most alert of them all, to get ahead of the defense and slot the rebound into the back of the net.

The forward thus sealed the final 0-2 after completing one of his best games of the season. ## Substitutions to close out the match With a lead on the scoreboard, the coaching staff made several substitutions to strengthen the team in the final stretch. • 72’ Sandji Baradji for Ballarín
• 80’ Iván Muñoz for Candelas • 80’ Ale Contreras for Héber • 85’ Titi for Juanan • 85’ Stefan Šćepović for Ariel Estepona managed the final stretch with maturity, and the score remained unchanged.

A very solid performance by Estepona Beyond the result, the team left a very positive impression. The red-and-white side dominated much of the match, maintained high pressure for practically the entire game, and created the clearest scoring chances. Even Lorca’s own fans acknowledged on social media that it had been one of the best teams to visit their stadium this season.

A well-deserved victory. ## The standings shift The matchday also brought important results in the lower half of the table. • Xerez Deportivo 2-1 UD Melilla • Atlético Antoniano 2-0 Almería B • Salerm Puente Genil 0-0 Recreativo
• Real Jaén 1-0 Yeclano With these results, the standings in the lower half are as follows: 10th – Atlético Antoniano – 36 pts 11th – Linares Deportivo – 36 pts 12th – Yeclano Deportivo – 34 pts
13th – Salerm Puente Genil – 33 pts 14th – Xerez Deportivo – 31 pts 15th – CD Estepona – 29 pts 16th – UD Melilla – 26 pts

The red-and-white squad climbs to 15th place and is now four points away from the relegation play-off and five points from direct survival. ## From the impossible to the possible The team’s context also explains the importance of this victory.

When Manolo Sánchez and Julen Guerrero took over the project on December 14, Estepona was 17th with 7 points after 15 matchdays. Today, March 16, the team is 15th with 29 points after 27 matches.

A turnaround that reflects the team’s shift in identity, work ethic, and competitiveness over the past few months. ## Seven Matchdays to Write the Final Chapter There are now seven matches remaining. 21 points are still up for grabs. And the fight for survival remains wide open.

Three months ago, it seemed impossible. Today, it’s starting to look possible. Because when a team finds a vision, believes in it, and fights every match as if it were their last… seasons can turn around. And CD Estepona is determined to give it their all until the very end.