A pragmatic Linares Deportivo comes from behind to defeat CD Estepona 4-1, handing them their first league setback.

Manolo Sánchez's team dominated much of the first half and took the lead with a goal from Maxi Benites, but a brace from Llabrés before halftime sparked a reaction from the blue team, who sealed the game in the second half with goals from Velázquez and Menudo.

CD Estepona suffered their first defeat of the season at the Francisco Muñoz Pérez stadium against Linares Deportivo, who staged a resounding comeback to take all three points with a 1-4 victory. The match was divided into two very distinct halves: Estepona were superior for much of the first half, even taking the lead, while Linares, far from falling apart, found in Miquel Llabrés the protagonist of a turnaround that ultimately proved decisive.

Estepona were superior at the start

Manolo Sánchez made four changes to the starting eleven that debuted against Xerez CD, bringing in Jorge Álvarez, Álex Claverías, Nacho Ramón, and Pablo Arriaza. The changes didn't alter the positive feeling from the league opener: the red-and-white team started with pace and intensity, taking control of the game into the visitors' half.
Linares, with Diego Barrios in goal and a defense comprised of Iker Pérez, Joao Paulo, Iván Romero, and Monty, along with Llabrés, Carlos Becken, Argüelles, and Moi Becken in midfield, struggled to shake off the home side's pressure for much of the first half-hour. Claverías threatened with a shot that went high, and shortly afterward, Diego Barrios had to intervene to stop another Estepona attack.
The home side's dominance paid off in the 33rd minute. A free kick from the right flank, taken by Ballarín, was headed in by Maxi Benites, who made it 1-0 and did justice to the work done up to that point.

The Blues' reaction before halftime

The goal, far from sinking the mining team, acted as a springboard. Linares immediately stepped up their game and, just eight minutes later, in the 41st minute, Miquel Llabrés equalized after an assist from Iker Pérez.
The decisive blow of the first half came in stoppage time. In the 45th minute, Llabrés himself produced the play of the night, receiving a pass from Iván Romero and finishing with a shot that completed his brace, leaving the score at 1-2 at halftime. In just twelve minutes, Linares had gone from trailing to heading into the locker room with the lead.

Linares seals the deal in the second half

Manolo Sánchez looked for a spark after halftime, bringing on Sandji Baradji and Samu Expósito, and Estepona had a few chances to reduce the deficit. The Osasuna manager continued to make substitutions, introducing Ariel Herrero in the 55th minute, and later Héber Pena and Pablo Aguilar in the 72nd, in search of a reaction that ultimately never materialized.
Linares, for their part, managed the game well and struck when they found space. In the 65th minute, David Velázquez connected again after an assist from Iker Pérez to make it 1-3, a goal that left the home side reeling. Miguel de la Fuente refreshed his starting eleven with the introduction of Guize Medina and Juanma in the 63rd minute, and Hugo Aranda and Menudo in the 72nd. It was Menudo who, in stoppage time (90+5 minute), completed the rout with the final score of 1-4 after an assist from Tommy Montenegro, who had come on for Velázquez shortly before.

A dominance that did not translate into a scoreboard

The match statistics accurately reflect what transpired on the pitch. Estepona had more possession, approximately 55%, but Linares were the more dangerous side. The visitors also had more corner kicks (5 to 4) and committed more fouls, accumulating one more yellow card than Estepona. In short, it was a match where possession and Estepona's initial positive performance weren't enough against a clinical Linares side that capitalized on their chances.

Second strategic defeat

The result leaves Estepona with their first setback of the season, after a match in which they again displayed attacking prowess, especially from set pieces, but also exposed their defensive fragility against the visitors' comeback. For Linares, the victory marks their first win of the campaign after the draw in the opening round, with Llabrés as the standout player.

Technical specifications

CD Estepona: Fran Martínez; Jorge Álvarez, Julen Jon Guerrero (Héber Pena, 72'), Ale Contreras, Ballarín (Pablo Aguilar, 72'), Claverías (Samu Expósito, 46'), Nacho Ramón (Ariel Herrero, 55'), Maxi Benites, Marín, Caro and Pablo Arriaza (Sandji Baradji, 46').

Linares Deportivo: Diego Barrios; Iker Pérez, Joao Paulo (Hugo Aranda, 72'), Iván Romero, Monty, Llabrés (Menudo, 72'), Carlos Becken, Argüelles (Guize Medina, 63'), Moi Becken, Caye Cancela (Juanma Domínguez, 63') and David Velázquez (Tommy Montenegro, 82').

Goals: 1-0, min. 33: Maxi Benites (ass. Ballarín). 1-1, min. 41: Llabrés (assist. Iker Pérez). 1-2, min. 45: Llabrés (assist. Iván Romero). 1-3, min. 65: Velázquez (ass. Iker Pérez). 1-4, min. 90+5: Menudo (ass. Tommy Montenegro).

Referee: Johan González (Canary Islands Technical Committee). He booked the home players Julen Jon Guerrero (23'), Sandji Baradji (46') and Héber Pena (88'), and the visitors Moi Becken (18'), Hugo Aranda (45'), Iván Romero (48') and Carlos Becken (64').

Incidents: Match of the second day of Group IV of Second Federation played in the Francisco Muñoz Pérez Municipal Stadium, with approximately 2000 spectators in the stands.

Estepona now faces two consecutive away games, first against Puente Genil and then against CD Tenerife "B".