MARBELLA FC – CD ESTEPONA: 23 KILOMETERS, TWO CRESTS, AND A DERBY TO BE WON

Manolo Sánchez's team visits Marbella FC this Sunday for Matchday 7 of the Segunda Federación. The Rojillos head into this special derby on the heels of two consecutive wins, with an added twist: Estepona’s coach is returning to his hometown.

Some games are played for three points, while others feel different. This Sunday, Marbella and Estepona will face off once again in a matchup between two cities separated by just 23 kilometers. The Rojillos arrive with their confidence restored after defeating Don Benito and Atlético Central, while Marbella needs to bounce back after two consecutive losses. And on the visitors’ bench will be someone for whom this match will hold special significance: Manolo Sánchez, coach of CD Estepona and a native of Marbella.

Two cities, two crests, and a derby to be won

Derby week is here. This Sunday, October 18, at 12:00 p.m., CD Estepona will visit Marbella FC at the Banús Football Center—also known as La Dama de Noche—to play Matchday 7 of Group IV in the Segunda Federación.

Just 23 kilometers separate the two cities. A short distance on the map, but enough to give the match that special something that makes clashes between neighbors something special. You don’t have to be in a title race or wait until the final matchdays to feel the importance of a match like this: all it takes are two team crests, two fan bases, and the desire to defend your city’s colors.

For Estepona, the goal will be to extend its winning streak and prove that recent victories mark the beginning of a more solid run. For Marbella, it’s an opportunity to return to winning ways in front of its home fans. Ninety minutes of competition, three points on the line, and the pride of the Costa del Sol as the backdrop.

Estepona Is on a Roll: Six Points to Shift the Momentum

Manolo Sánchez’s team heads into the derby in a much better position than it was a few weeks ago. Back-to-back wins against CD Don Benito and Club Atlético Central have allowed the Rojillos to pick up six points and regain confidence ahead of one of the most special away games on the schedule.

The first win came on October 3, with a 3-1 victory over Don Benito at the Francisco Muñoz Pérez Stadium. A week later, Estepona won again at home, this time 3-2 against Atlético Central. In a back-and-forth match, Alfonso Candelas scored two goals and Sandji Baradji netted the decisive goal, allowing the Estepona squad to cap off a perfect week in terms of results.

After six matchdays, Estepona has ten points, with three wins, one draw, and two losses. They have scored ten goals and conceded nine—numbers that reflect their ability to find the back of the net while also leaving room for further improvement.

Now it’s time to see if that momentum can carry over to away games. Marbella will demand a competitive performance from the team, which must stay focused, capitalize on its chances, and manage the different phases of the match effectively. The last two wins provide a boost, but on Sunday, the team will have to prove itself all over again from the very first minute.

Marbella in Need of a Turnaround

The opponent’s situation is different. Marbella FC comes into the match off a 0-2 loss to Betis Deportivo and a 1-0 loss to CD Badajoz. These two consecutive losses have halted their momentum and make Sunday’s match an opportunity to get back on track.

The Marbella team had shown promise early in the season, including a 4-1 victory over Atlético Central. However, recent results have complicated their situation. After six matchdays, they have five points, with one win, two draws, and three losses.

They trail Estepona by five points, though that doesn’t automatically make the Rojillos the favorites. Marbella will play at home, has its own strengths, and will look to use the derby to turn things around. That’s precisely why Manolo Sánchez’s team can’t get complacent: past results provide context, but Sunday’s match will be decided on the field.

An opponent in desperate need of points can be especially dangerous, and even more so when playing in front of its home crowd. Estepona will have to compete with grit, avoid mistakes, and capitalize on the moments when they can inflict damage. In a derby, every detail counts.

Manolo Sánchez Returns Home

The match will also have a personal significance for the Rojillo coach. Manolo Sánchez is a native of Marbella, so Sunday’s trip will take him back to his hometown—this time at the helm of CD Estepona.

The coach will face this special matchup from the visitors’ bench, though the sporting objective is very clear: to help his team extend its winning streak and secure three crucial points to continue climbing the standings.

His recent history with Estepona adds another layer to the match. Last season, he arrived at a particularly difficult time and ended up playing a key role in the turnaround that allowed the club to secure its place in the Second Federation. Now, the challenge is different: building a competitive team from the start and ensuring consistency throughout the season.

The last two victories have been a step forward, but the work continues. Marbella will be a tough test to see how the team responds away from the Francisco Muñoz Pérez stadium and whether it can maintain its momentum against an opponent that needs to turn things around.

The most recent matchup in Marbella ended in a scoreless draw

The two teams previously faced off during the 2023–24 season, when they were both in Group IV of the Second Federation. The first-leg match, played on September 24, 2023, at the Francisco Muñoz Pérez Stadium, ended with a 0–1 victory for Marbella. Estepona played with one fewer player starting in the 12th minute, following Nando Copete’s ejection, and ended up conceding the only goal of the match in the 77th minute.

The second match took place on February 4, 2024, in Marbella and ended in a scoreless draw. It was an evenly matched contest in which neither team managed to capitalize on their chances.

Therefore, the most recent match at Marbella’s home field ended 0-0, while the most recent match played in Estepona ended with a 0-1 away victory. These historical records provide context, but more than two seasons have passed, and the circumstances for both teams are different.

The Rojilla fans are eagerly awaiting tickets for the derby

The proximity between Marbella and Estepona makes this one of the most exciting matches on the calendar for the Rojilla fans. Just 23 kilometers separate the two cities, and, as is the case with every away game, CD Estepona fans want to be right there with their team even when they’re away from the Francisco Muñoz Pérez Stadium.

Now it remains to be seen how many seats will ultimately be available for Estepona fans and what their chances will be of accompanying the team on such a special morning. Here at CD Estepona Fans, we’ll be keeping an eye out for ticket information so we can share all the details with our fans as soon as they’re available.

Because a derby is lived out on the field, but also from the stands. And when two cities are separated by just 23 kilometers, let’s hope distance isn’t the obstacle preventing the red-and-white fans from being there.

Ninety Minutes to Conquer Marbella

On Sunday, two neighboring teams with different needs will face off. Marbella will look to snap its losing streak, while Estepona will try to extend its resurgence. On the field, the team will have to fight for every ball, capitalize on opportunities, and stay focused until the very end.

The Rojillos come into the match with ten points, two consecutive wins, and the chance to take another step forward. It won’t be easy, but the team has already shown it can pull off tough matches. Now it’s time to carry that momentum into a special away game against an opponent that will also have every reason to fight for the three points.

And on the visitors’ bench will be Manolo Sánchez, a coach who knows Marbella well—it’s his hometown—and who will be looking to return from there with a victory for CD Estepona.

Twenty-three kilometers separate Marbella from Estepona. Ninety minutes will decide the next chapter of this derby.

Marbella FC – CD Estepona. Two crests, 23 kilometers, and a derby to be won.

LET’S GO, ESTEPONA!

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