The week at Castilla

Whilst Real Madrid fans may have a few concerns racing through their minds at this point in time, those fans that extend their support towards Castilla also had a right to be worried. Castilla had barely played due to multiple members of the squad contracting COVID-19. Other sides in Segunda B have been just as unfortunate, leading to plenty of postponed fixtures. The few games that Castilla had played out had returned mixed results. An opening day 2-1 win against Las Rozas provided a great start, but losses against Getafe B (2-1) and Rayo Majadahonda (1-0) amongst the Corona issue had left them scrambled. It is important to note that they played reasonably well during all of these fixtures. This time out, a loss against Navalcarnero would have put them in the danger zone, something Castilla could not afford to entertain under the new structure. To avoid this scenario, Raúl selected his trusted players, with little surprises entering the line-up. With Pablo Ramón out injured and Víctor Chust on first team duty, the versatile Sergio Santos occupied that vacant centre-back space.

Navalcarnero were top of the league before this game, and had Castilla lost - that agenda would have been pushed a lot more. At this point in the season however, it isn’t particularly relevant which team is placed where. What should be said however, is that they certainly were in good form - and they looked a well organised unit for most of the match. When they took the lead through a good finish around the edge of the box. This goal was deep into the second half as it was, but Castilla continued to be resilient and attack. A ten minute comeback surge then shifted the entire game, with three very similar goals scored by Hugo Duro, Mario Gila and Carlos Dotor all being headed in from crosses into the box. This was enough to secure a 3-1 victory, and put Castilla in good stead going forward.

Rather than 9th, this win puts Castilla in all the way up in 4th place. There is however a comfortable points gap between 4th and 3rd, which will take a consecutive run of wins to bridge. The win also secured a first senior team call up for Hugo Duro, who made the Inter Milan Champions League squad. Chust and Altube are also present in that selection. Tomorrow brings another game for the youngsters against Atlético Baleares, and the team will have to deal without the first team hopefuls - as well as the extensive injured and ill list. This could be a good opportunity for some of the other squad players to enter Raúl’s good books...