Match Preview and analysis: Atletico Baleares (A)

For the third match in this season’s Primera RFEF, the Albinegres travel to Mallorca to face Atletico Baleares, who currently lie 13th in the table after two draws in their opening two games.

Following a 0-0 draw to open the season, they conceded a late goal against Real Union after scoring just before half time. Against Castellón, they will no doubt be looking to secure all three points at home, after narrowly missing out last time around.

Analysis

Thanks to @cdc_analisis on Twitter for a lot of this insight.

In their last game, Atletico Baleares played a 3-5-2 formation with wing backs and a high line. Their strikers Canario and Doni often drop deep ‘False 9’ style which draws out the centre backs and allows their attacking midfielders space to be dangerous.

Fornies also crosses the ball well, and is more threatening than Laure on the opposite flank.

Castellón should look to exploit the left flank when Fornies moves up in the attacking phase, when Pablo Hernandez can occupy the space and draw out the Atletico Baleares centre back, which is when the speed of Dani Romera can make a difference.

On the right flank, wingback Laure is aging and not on his best form. Kialy Koné and Carles Salvador need to make the most of it.

Managers Declarations

Jordi Roger, Atletico Baleares: We want to win, just like every Sunday. We were hurting on Monday after the result against Real Union, because if you look at the whole match, it wasn’t a fair result.

Castellon are a great team. They have built a team with strong players and we’ll see a great game on Sunday. But they think the same about us. We hope to be ready for them, they dominate many areas both with and without the ball. Playing at 19:00 [instead of 12:00, as previously planned] is a lot better and will mean better game.

I’m expecting a very good Castellón side with a clearly defined approach, fast counters when they get the ball back as they have a good ability on the ball. We need to try and get the ball off them and make them suffer. If we have the ball, they will suffer, if we have the ball, they will. To score goals you need to create chances, and we’ve done that over the last two games. We need to improve things, but we are on the right track.

Ruben Torrecilla, CD Castellón: We need to play a complete game, take away their strengths and be convincing in order to score goals and win. It will be difficult but we hope to get the three points which would give us a further boost after good game against Sabadell.

[On the availability of players/size of the squad] For me it’s a problem because I have to leave out players who are at the level of those playing, but the positive is that we can alternate or make changes at any moment knowing that whoever comes in will play to the same level. This week some will play and next week others, but the important thing is that everyone is ready when it’s their turn to play.

The new time [19:00] is much better as it’s less hot, but I feel for the fans who made travel arrangements and needed to change them.