The Cádiz CF faced off against CD Castellón on February 23rd, during the 28th round of LaLiga Hypermotion, but the match ended without any goals, resulting in a 0-0 draw. This outcome was disappointing for the home side, who had hoped to bridge the gap to the coveted sixth position.
Coach Gaizka Garitano reflected on the match, noting, "Queríamos ganar. En el primer tiempo hemos estado bien, después nos ha costado más y hemos estado precipitados en ataque. El partido estaba peligroso, hemos defendido bien..." His assessment revealed the mixed emotions following the game; the team showed promise but lacked execution, particularly after halftime, where they struggled to convert their chances.
The match held at Cádiz's Nuevo Mirandilla stadium saw the home team defensively sound, managing to deny Castellón any shots on target. Garitano commented on the quality of the opponent, highlighting their attacking prowess, which made the draw feel like salvage. He pointed out how Castellón possesses high possession statistics and has been one of the league's top scorers, stating, "Es de los máximos goleadores y generan muchas ocasiones de gol. Hemos conseguido que no tiren ni una vez entre palos."
Despite the defensive prowess displayed, it was evident to fans and players alike, including forward Roger Martí, who returned to the pitch after two months sidelined due to injury, the match's score did not reflect the potential for success. Martí said, "Es una pena que no hayamos podido sumar de tres, pero creo que es importante seguir sumando." His enthusiasm for being back on the field was palpable, yet he acknowledged the importance of improving attacking efforts. He asserted, "En la primera parte hemos tenido ocasiones para ponernos por delante, no ha sido así..." Reflecting on how the team needed to maintain attacking momentum for future outings, Martí noted the physicality of the game played against Castellón and the importance of scoring during decisive moments.
The draw cost Cádiz CF dearly, causing them to slide from 10th to 11th place on the league table. With the opportunity to close the gap on current sixth-placer Levante, who defeated Mirandés 1-0 earlier the same day, the missed points feel particularly bitter. The standings now reflect Cádiz at 38 points, trailing Levante by nine and edging closer to the relegation zone, with the nearest competitors down below only requiring one good run to overtake them.
Garitano seemed to understand the state of his team as he spoke about the realities of the competition, saying, "No somos un equipo que vamos a ir ganando todos los partidos 3-0, no está dentro de la capacidad del equipo." This quote encapsulates the current challenges facing the squad as they deal with performance inconsistencies exacerbated by injuries and the demanding nature of the league. Indeed, both players and coaches acknowledge the need for improvement if they wish to remain competitive for the playoff spots leading to promotion.
The match against Castellón serves as both a learning opportunity and motivation to improve. With the personal history of players like Roger Martí, who now boasts 50 official games with the club, the team must also build on their storied relationship with fans and continue working hard to raise their position. Each match from now on is pivotal to securing aspiration goals.
Looking forward, Cádiz CF finds itself at a crossroads; they need to focus on upcoming matches to shift their momentum positively and significantly boost their confidence. Balancing skill and teamwork will be integral as they seek to climb the ranks within LaLiga Hypermotion. The determination expressed by both Garitano and Martí suggests there is belief within the squad, and as they prepare for their next challenge, they hope to convert hard-fought practices and lessons learned from this matchtest, ensuring their aim of achieving higher league standings is within reach.