Xerez draw with a strong Portuense side
Photo: Diario Xerecista
The blue-and-whites post their first goalless draw of the summer, against a side tipped for the Segunda RFEF promotion play-offs.
Xerez CD suffered their first setback of the summer last night, though with caveats. At the José del Cuvillo, Xavi Molist's side could not get past a goalless draw against a Racing Club Portuense side that arrives this season as one of the candidates to fight for the Segunda RFEF promotion play-offs on their return to that category. A well-organised, capable rival with good football, who managed to keep a Xerez side still finding its shape in check.
Until now, the blue-and-white pre-season had been nothing but good news. The Xerecistas had won all three of their previous summer fixtures: thrashing Jerez Industrial, a Primera Andaluza side, in the Trofeo Pedro Garrido; beating Ceuta B, of Tercera Federación, comfortably by two goals to nil; and edging past another Group X side, Chiclana, by the minimum. Against the Portuense side in red and white, however, the goal proved elusive for the first time this summer.
Photo: Diario Xerecista
A rival that gave no ground
Racing Portuense set out a serious game plan, direct when it needed to be and well organised at the back, and barely conceded a clear chance to a Xerez side that, despite camping in the opposition area for spells of the match, could not find the opening needed to do damage. Neither possession nor the blue-and-white approach play translated into shots of real danger, and the story of the match ended up rewarding the defensive solidity of a side with high ambitions this campaign.
The first half also saw a few rough edges from the home side. As well as being well organised, Portuense were intense in their pressing and made a couple of ill-timed challenges that broke up the rhythm of the game at various points, punished by the referee with two yellow cards, though without unduly affecting the flow of the friendly.
Photo: Diario Xerecista
Molist shared out minutes, as has become the norm this pre-season, giving each block 45 minutes as he continues taking notes ahead of the league opener on 6 September. The starting eleven was Pantoja in goal; Guille Campos and Salas at full-back; Moi and Josete at the heart of defence; Raúl López and Isuskiza in a double pivot; Óscar Lorenzo and Zelu out wide; Peregrina as the link man; and Rubén Mesa up front.
Photo: Diario Xerecista
After the break, the Catalan coach brought on a block packed with academy players mixed with first-team names: Marcos Alconchel, Gabri, David Lachica, Chacartegui, Manu Galán, Fali, Isma, Zequi, Jaime López, Jaime Fernández, Óscar Ganfornina, Dani Sánchez, Samu Rubiales and Sebas Rubiales all took their turn on the pitch in the second half, without the pattern of the match changing substantially.
A positive takeaway despite the draw
Beyond the result, the reading to take from the match against Racing Portuense is of a Xerez CD still putting the pieces together, with Molist rotating and testing formulas before competition starts to bite for real. This first blank of the pre-season also comes against a rival of real quality, which puts any negative reading of the scoreline into perspective. The blue-and-white side continue their preparations over the coming days, eyes already on the league opener at Estepona on 6 September.
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