How Marbella arrive at Chapín: a back three, few goals and a squad still taking shape

Photo: Diario Xerecista

Antonio Calderón's Marbella FC visit Chapín on Sunday 25 October at 19:00 sitting 14th with 6 points, the same as Xerez CD. The Marbella side, just relegated from Primera Federación, have scored only six goals in seven matchdays, and the local press points to their lack of goals as their biggest problem.

A back three

Calderón took over at Marbella in July and has opted for a three-man central defence. At a press conference he explained that it is the approach that best suits his squad and that he will stick with it, although he does not rule out changing it. Against Betis Deportivo he lined up with five defenders, four midfielders and a lone striker.

The coach has also highlighted the change of system he introduced against Atlético Central, which, in his view, gave the team solidity: "with this solidity, we give the team security". His idea is to press without the ball in order to win it back and hurt the opponent.

No goals and a new squad

Marbella have scored six goals and conceded nine. In their last match they drew 0-0 with Estepona, and the Marbella press described the lack of finishing as "their big problem this season". Before that they had lost 1-0 at Badajoz, to a penalty, and 0-2 to Betis Deportivo, playing the whole second half with ten men after Cristóbal was sent off.

The squad has been almost completely rebuilt after relegation, and Calderón himself has acknowledged that the players are still getting to know each other. He has also called for a dressing room at the Luis Teruel stadium, because the group only comes together at training.

A clash between table neighbours

Xerez and Marbella are level on 6 points; the blue-and-whites are 13th and Marbella 14th, separated only by goal difference. Atlético Marbella never won in Jerez in their three visits in Segunda B.