CD Tenerife is set to face Burgos CF in what is expected to be a pivotal away match at El Plantío, marking the final game for coach Pepe Mel at the helm of the blanquiazul. With kickoff scheduled for 1:00 PM Canary time, both teams enter this contest with pressing needs for victory.
This match is particularly significant for CD Tenerife, who currently holds the bottom spot of the league table. Mel, who replaced Óscar Cano after the team's sluggish start to the season, hopes to bid farewell to the club with what he describes as a "healing victory at El Plantío." His departure was announced just days before the match, making this encounter feel like one last chance to turn the season around.
Despite his struggles to steer the team out of the relegation zone, Mel remains committed to finishing on the front foot. "I will be professional until the end and aim to depart with a win," he stated, acknowledging the club's focus will soon shift to the upcoming January transfer window, where changes are expected to be made to the squad.
On the other side, Burgos CF's manager Luis Miguel Ramis emphasizes the urgency of grabbing three points as well. "We feel the need to secure a victory to distance ourselves from complicated positions," he stated. Ramis believes the match is pivotal for his team's morale, especially after they've had mixed results of late. His outline for success includes applying rigorous defensive tactics and leveraging chances when they arise.
Ramis is optimistic about the support from the home fans, as he noted, "The warmth of the Burgos fans will be a differentiator. We need to impose our style and control the tempo of the match.” The Burgo’s coach calls for his players to respond with character and maintain focus against Tenerife’s offensive play.
Historically, CD Tenerife has struggled at El Plantío, with only one victory (which occurred during the 2022-2023 season) across eight visits. The overall numbers are not encouraging, with the Burgos team recording five wins and two draws against Tenerife. Looking back, Tenerife’s only victory came as recently as November 5, 2022—a match decided by Elady Zorrilla’s late penalty kick.
This will be the first time these two clubs have met since their encounters resumed last season, having not faced each other for nearly 46 years prior. The historical performances paint a picture of adversity for Tenerife when playing away.
Despite these past struggles, hope lingers for Tenerife supporters, as the unpredictability of football means anything is possible. "Football is unpredictable, and there's no reason why we shouldn't find victory at El Plantío," said Mel, as he examines his side's preparation. Meanwhile, Ramis is committed to ensuring his team sticks to their defensive responsibilities, aware of the slip-ups which have led to prior defeats.
Both teams are dealing with their own roster adjustments—Ramis welcomes back Atienza for this key fixture, someone who will bolster his defensive lineup, whereas Mel will have David Rodríguez available after dealing with suspension issues.
Overall, this match serves not just as Mel’s goodbye to the Tenerife family but as the first half of the season draws to a close for both teams. How they conclude this phase of the campaign may set the tone for the upcoming matches, including the January transfer dealings.
With every kick significant, the tension will be palpable at El Plantío when the whistle blows to start the match. Will CD Tenerife finally break their pattern of away struggles? Or can Burgos assert their dominance and achieve their objective of moving higher up the league table? The answers await as players take to the field.
