In a critical match for relegation, Recreativo de Huelva faced Atlético Sanluqueño on March 22, 2025, at the Nuevo Colombino Stadium. Both teams desperately needed a victory, but the match ended in a disheartening 0-0 draw, leaving both sides still deeply entrenched in the relegation battle.
The game was the 29th round of the First RFEF season, and it was clear that the stakes were incredibly high. As the match unfolded, it became evident that both teams were struggling to make significant progress in their respective league standings. Recreativo started strong, but as the minutes wore on, it became apparent that they lacked the necessary drive and quality to turn possession into goals.
The management structure of Recreativo changed ahead of the match, with coach Íñigo Vélez implementing a new formation, shifting from a five-man defense to a 4-5-1 setup. This decision, made due to absences from key players like Rafa Gálvez and Rubén Serrano, included four changes in the lineup. New entries such as Alberto López, Luis Alcalde, Paolo Romero, and Njalla were aimed at revitalizing the team’s approach, but results fell short of expectations.
In the first half, Recreativo struggled to carve out clear chances, with their only notable moment being a long-range shot from Dani Perejón that was saved by Sanluqueño keeper Samu Pérez. This effort came in the 40th minute and was the highlight of an otherwise lackluster first half.
As the second half began, there was a flicker of hope for the home fans. Recreativo showed greater urgency initially and created some promising opportunities, but their prolific ineptitude in front of goal continued to plague them. A shot from Njalla went weakly into Pérez’s hands, and in another instance, a goal-bound effort was met with tenacity by the Sanluqueño defense.
Despite the increasing pressure from Recreativo as the clock ticked down, including corner kicks and set pieces, the breakthrough eluded them. Disappointment among the supporters grew palpable as Recreativo failed to convert any of their good spells of possession into goals. Frustration mounted both on the pitch and from the stands, culminating in the 94th minute when Yasser El Arbaoui of Sanluqueño was sent off for a last-ditch tackle on Sergi Armero, leaving his team with ten men. However, it proved too late for Recreativo to capitalize.
Following the final whistle, Vélez shared his disappointment in the locker room, remarking, “The first half was not good at all. We didn't create anything practically. In the second half, we had ten to fifteen minutes close to scoring but then we were flattened again. It’s a bad feeling. It’s a match that everyone was aware of its importance, and we couldn’t win. Now we are upset and there’s much left to do, but we missed an important opportunity.”
On the other hand, Atlético Sanluqueño’s coach, José María Salmerón, expressed some positives from his team’s performance despite the draw. “We reached the area many times, but we lacked the final pass and decisiveness in shooting,” he lamented, describing the match as tense due to the implication for both clubs in the standings.
The game concluded with a shared point that brought Recreativo to 32 points, placing them in 15th position, still above Sanluqueño, who remains in 17th with 31 points. With only nine matches left in the season, both teams find themselves in a precarious position as they continue their fight to maintain their status in the league.
While neither side walked away with the desired victory, the repercussions of such a draw could play heavily on their respective seasons. As matches in this league grow increasingly pivotal, both clubs must now focus on upcoming encounters, with Recreativo next set to face Real Murcia, hoping to turn their fortunes around before it’s too late.
