Match Report: Deportivo B 4-3 Real Madrid Castilla!

Last season, this fixture became a Castilla followers worst nightmare. Santiago Solari’s men were taught a complete footballing lesson as they were outclassed by a side that would go on to reach the play-offs. Like all B teams, the time came for the big boys to fly the nest, and this season the tables had turned. Deportivo sat bottom of the league, whilst Castilla were the ones lurking around the play-off spots. Surely Castilla would be the favourites this time... With the manager continuing to make no changes, the team lined up as so:

The first half did actually go to plan... Just about! Castilla took an early lead thanks to Manu Hernando, as he headed home a well worked corner from Jaime Seoane and Álvaro Fidalgo. Like many reserve sides, the Deportivo players were actually technically sound, and pushed Castilla more than anyone initially anticipated they would. It looked like their efforts were going to be rewarded when Luca Zidane parried the ball into his own net. That was until Cristo González took matters into his own hands, and curled in a free-kick beautifully just as the referee lifted the whistle to his lips.

The first half was pretty even, but the start of the second half belonged to Castilla. They made it 3-1 through an own goal, forced by a decent Jorge De Frutos cross, and could have bagged a couple more if not for the Deportivo goalkeepers good work. The home crowd turned up the volume from here on in, and in turn raised the tension levels significantly. The hosts lapped this support up, switching to a more aggressive approach. This was a tactic that Castilla, a team that has let numerous leads slip so far this season, simply weren't ready for. With a two goal cushion working to their advantage, surely this lead was too good to let slip? Well... With ten minutes to go, Deportivo grabbed a second goal, as their striker tapped in a low cross into the box. Three minutes later, the scores were level. Another cross came into the box, this time met by a header that Luca Zidane could do nothing about. The game was blown open wide, and it was obvious that one of the sides would snatch all three points late on. Cristo and Seoane went close for Castilla, and at the other end Hernando put in a vital clearance off of the line. Of course, Castilla would lose this game. And of course, it would be after the ninety minute mark. Castilla left themselves far too open, inviting Deportivo in to attack them. A corner came in, and another header was slammed past Luca Zidane.

Jubilation for the home side, who saw out the win - but despair yet again for Castilla. They have somehow managed to keep their place in the play-off positions this week, but with the fixture list looking a whole lot uglier over the next few weeks, they will do very well to maintain it in the long run. Perhaps these bottled results are for the best, and they will keep both the players and the followers firmly grounded. Man of the match for this one was Sergio López, who put in a decent shift both in defence and attack. Overall an underwhelming performance from everybody, though. Next week Castilla will go to battle with third placed side San Sebastián de los Reyes. The boys will be looking to put things right in what will be a far more challenging encounter.

Goals: Hernando, González & an own goal.

Assist: Fidalgo & De Frutos.

MOTM: López.