Match preview and analysis: Amorebieta (H)

Both Castellón and Amorebieta will come into tomorrow’s game coming off good wins, against Alcoyano for the former and Athletic B for the latter. That said, the clubs are in very different situations in terms of league position, with the Albinegres in second place and Amorebieta in danger of a relegation scrap down in 17th.

Castellón will be keen to continue their 100% record at home this season, and Amorebieta will want to build on what was only their second win of the season last time out. It should also be an intriguing matchup individually, as league top scorer Eneko Jauregi (Amorebieta) takes on the league’s best goalkeeper in terms of goals conceded, Alfonso Pastor (Castellón).

Team news

Everyone is available to Castellón manager Ruben Torrecilla, with Cristian Galas back from an injury that kept him out against Alcoyano. More squad rotation is a real possibility to keep the legs fresh. Pablo Hernandez, who was on the bench in Alcoi, could come back into the starting lineup replacing Kochorashvili. Torrecilla will then have to decide if he wants to change anything further. Kone scored last week off the bench, but Fabricio has been playing so well that it’s hard to see him losing his spot in the starting XI.

Opponent analysis

Amorebieta are a team that score a lot, but also concede in volume. Only Castellón have scored more goals than Amorebieta, and yet they find themselves at opposite ends of the table largely because the Basque side has conceded 12 goals, or an average of 1.5 a game.

A case in point is their game against Real Union, where despite scoring three goals, they conceded four. None of which were because of the opponent’s good play more because of their bad defending (two penalties, one unmarked player from a corner, and one deflected shot). The opportunities will be there for Castellón to score, the challenge will be more to defend at the other end.

Eneko Jauregui is dangerous across the board, and can cause problems from both set pieces and open play. Izeta has the ability to cut inside from the wing, and has a great left foot. However looking at the goals Amorebieta have scored, a significant number have simply been punishing poor defending and clear mistakes by the opposition. If Castellón adopts a low risk, highly focused approach to defending, as they have shown they can, Amorebieta will have problems.

Manager comments

Ruben Torrecilla, CD Castellón: “They have a good attack, so we have to be focused because up front they have players who can make the difference. We have to counter those strengths because they are a team who look to dominate you with their direct play and their crosses.

It’s a game that doesn’t allow for any relaxation and we have to continue competing at the level that we have been. These games are won with hard work, everyone united in the same direction.

Training this week was excellent, and I don’t think the players are losing any focus, but I still try to give them reminders and messages that they need to stay focused as all the games are important. If we want to stay at the top of the table we have win the maximum number of games at home and continue in the direction we’ve been going in.”