CD Tenerife's recent match against SD Huesca on December 19, 2024, ended with another disappointing 1-0 defeat, continuing their struggle this season and raising questions about the future of their manager, Pepe Mel. The loss leaves Tenerife at the bottom of the table, worrying about relegation as they struggle to find their form, particularly when playing away.
The match at El Alcoraz revealed several issues for Tenerife, including defensive lapses and missed opportunities. The only goal of the game came from Huesca's Patrick Soko, who capitalized on a defensive error following a well-executed play initiated by Loureiro. The goal came at the 35-minute mark, and it proved to be decisive as Tenerife failed to equalize.
Diving deep early on, the home side, Huesca, managed to take control with few clear chances leading up to their goal. Despite some promising moments from Tenerife, including shots from Ángel and Enric Gallego, they could not find the back of the net. Huesca's defense gave Tenerife little room to maneuver, leading to frustrating efforts on goal.
After the match, manager Pepe Mel faced questions about his future. He expressed his awareness of the changing dynamics within the club, remarking, “No sé, pero si no me tendrán que pagar un billete de vuelta” (translated: “I don’t know, but if not, they’ll have to buy me a return ticket”). This statement underlines Mel's precarious situation as rumors about his replacement grow stronger with every disappointing performance.
Mel’s side showed some signs of improvement, and he mentioned feeling the need to continue pushing for results. Despite failing to score once again on the road, Mel noted, "Pese a los intentos blanquiazules, el encuentro llegó al ecuador con la mínima ventaja para el conjunto altoaragonés (1-0)," emphasizing the narrow margin of the game. His ability to motivate the team after yet another setback will be his most significant challenge as they prepare for their next match against Burgos CF.
Throughout the season, the team’s struggles have become more apparent. Ten matches have passed without a victory away from home, leaving Tenerife with just two points out of 30 possible. This record adds to the mounting pressure on the players and the coaching staff, highlighting the team's dwindling morale as they face the reality of potential relegation from the league.
The dynamics featured during the match were not unique. The team appeared to lack the aggressive attacking drive typically necessary to score away goals and ended up relying heavily on saves from their newly signed goalkeeper, Edgar Badía.
Although checks and balances have been conducted with recent managerial and administrative changes at CD Tenerife, such transformations have yet to yield positive results on the field. Fans had hoped for improvement after marking another round on the calendar with changes, but the harsh truth is the same: Tenerife needs to find points quickly.
Disappointment echoed through the stadium; as fans left, they knew another missed opportunity cemented their team’s downward spiral. The improved coordination on the pitch did not translate to goals, leaving supporters concerned and uncertain about the team's future.
Moving forward, the club must regroup and rally for the last fixtures of 2024, with Mel needing to instill confidence among his players. With upcoming matches against other bottom-table teams, the possibility of achieving victories will be the only immediate remedy against relegation fears.
For CD Tenerife, this match against Huesca accentuates their struggles but also serves as another moment to wake up and rethink strategies on the pitch. Fans and players are left hoping for more decisive action as the team strives to find their winning formula.
The pressure mounts not only on the players but also on the coaching staff. Pepe Mel's leadership will continue to be tested as he attempts to steer CD Tenerife away from the edge of relegation, and the next match could prove pivotal for the course of the season. Will this team be able to rally and avoid the fate of dropping to the Primera RFEF? Only time will tell.
