Juvenil A stage stoppage-time comeback against Eintracht | OneFootball

Following the defeat in Leganés and the goalless draw in Liverpool, the Juvenil A team returned to Alcalá de Henares to host Eintracht Frankfurt in the second round of the league phase of the Uefa Youth League. It was essential to secure the first 3 points, not because of the opponent, but due to the home advantage and the importance of points and goal difference when determining the opponent in the knockout stages.

The team led by Ángel Donato lined up as follows: Dani Rubio; Cristian Grant, Óscar Torrellas, Miguel Gil, Daniel Muñoz; Gonzalo Gross, David Fernández, Javi Tena, Jesús Barrios; Sergio Esteban, Miguel Cubo.

In the first half, the red and whites dominated possession despite the Germans' pressure on the ball's exit. The standout player was David Fernández, who contributed greatly to the team's offensive play, but it was in the final third where the team failed to capitalize on the few opportunities they had with Sergio Esteban, Jesús Barrios, Gonzalo Gross, and Miguel Cubo as the main protagonists. Despite having a goal disallowed for an attacking foul, Donato's team stuck to the game plan.

However, they received a blow when Eintracht scored past the half-hour mark. A shot from the front bounced off an Atletico defender, and Staff picked up the rebound in the small area to make it 0-1. Shortly after, the Germans were close to making it 0-2 with a point-blank shot following a corner, but Dani Rubio blocked the shot and prevented them from extending their lead.

As the second half began, there were changes in the youth team: Saúl Fernández and Jorge Rajado came on for Javi Tena and Gonzalo Gross. Sergio Esteban had a chance from a pass by Miguel Cubo but the shot went just wide of the opponent's right post, and the team continued to approach the opponent's goal with Rajado's speed. There was a change of Sergios: Vinatea came on for Esteban, who had no luck in front of goal. He was again a protagonist first with a pass that ended in a corner and then a run through the central lane that came to nothing.

Final changes in Atleti, Rubén Gómez and Adrián Martínez came on for David Fernández and Cristian Grant. Jesús Barrios had a direct free kick that came to nothing, and it was in the 84th minute when Juvenil A managed to equalize the match with a goal from Sergio Vinatea assisted by Rubén Gómez. And as if that wasn't enough, Jorge Rajado unleashed madness in the 93rd minute with a right-footed shot to tip the balance in favor of the red and whites and secure the first European victory of the season.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.