Inside Castellón-Deportivo, a modern rivalry lit up at SkyFi Castalia | OneFootball

SkyFi Castalia delivered a top-tier atmosphere for one of the season's most anticipated fixtures as Castellón met Deportivo de la Coruña, a modern rivalry that continues to grow.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the day-long build-up in Castellón felt like an early Magdalena festival, with long lunches, meals and lingering gatherings. In the streets, the Fondo 1922 led a corteo, then unveiled a tifo once inside.

In the directors' box were Begoña Carrasco, the mayor, and several councillors, alongside club chiefs led by president Haralabos Voulgaris.

Deportivo were backed by dozens of travelling fans. Strong winds on Saturday disrupted their journey, so the squad landed in Valencia instead of Castellón, then continued by road to La Plana.

The sides have crossed paths often in recent seasons, notably the 2023 promotion play-off semi-final, a 4-3 Castellón win sealed by a late David Cubillas strike. Cubillas watched from the stands, as did other cherished former players such as Alfredo Monfort.

Shortly before kick-off the big screen honoured Pedro Alcañiz Ruiz, Castellón captain in the 1960s and regarded as one of the club's finest defenders, father and grandfather to albinegros Pedro Alcañiz and Ximo Ballesteros. Rest in peace.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo