Report: El Madrileño will battle for promotion in the play-offs | OneFootball

After the emphatic win over Sabadell, Atlético Madrileño traveled to Elda to take on the leaders of Group 2 in the Primera Federación, looking to keep their chances of direct promotion alive. They also, of course, depended on the result of Sabadell, who were hosting Antequera.

Fernando Torres’ side lined up as follows: Salvador Esquivel; Javier Boñar, Aleksa Puric, Dani Martínez, Adrián Corral; Martín Bellotti, Jorge Castillo; Iker Luque, Rayane Belaid, Arnau Ortiz; Rafa Llorente. 

The red-and-whites started the match competitively, fully aware of the attacking threat in front of them. Deportivo came out strong, looking to press the reserve side’s buildup and win the ball back as close as possible to Atlético’s goal. Even so, it was Madrileño who struck first after winning a penalty in the six-yard box. After the FVS review, the referee did not change his decision and upheld the penalty, which Arnau Ortiz converted by sending Ramón Vila the wrong way and making it 0-1. 23 goals for the man from Figueres—not bad at all.

Even so, Eldense grew into the game, increased their attacks down the right, and in a controversial move over a possible offside, a cross from the left reached the edge of the box and, after an initial shot that Esquivel kept out with a fine save, Nacho Quintana scored the equalizer on the rebound. Although the images were not the clearest for determining whether there was an illegal position, the referee decided the goal would stand. Then came the second controversial incident: Iker Luque made a sprint from his own half, beating several opponents, was fouled on the edge of the box, and the referee decided the offender should be shown a second yellow and, as a result, a red card. 

What happened? The rules are there to be followed, but apparently only when it suits. Among the situations that allow a review is a straight red card incident. Straight red, not a second yellow. Even so, the referee went to review it and not only did he fail to send off Serradell, but he also ruled that it was not even a foul and therefore awarded possession to the home side. The players, coaching staff, and the roughly 100 Atlético fans who had traveled from all over the country were left stunned. It looked like yet another sly refereeing display so often seen against us. For one reason or another, it took its toll on the team, and that was how we reached stoppage time.

There was improvement in the second half, but the 2-1 would arrive after a controversial play—surprising absolutely no one—early on. The reason: another offside. Play was allowed to continue, Esquivel did well to block, but a lack of decisiveness allowed Quintana to grab his brace and complete the comeback. Another FVS review and another decision against us. Nájera, Serrano, and Cubo came on, and Madrileño had their chances late on through an opportunity for captain Serrano and another for Rafa Llorente. Eldense could also have killed the game on the counter and even with an empty net, but it just would not happen.

The referee blew for full time and there was a pitch invasion, as Sabadell lost at home to Antequera, which meant that the side from Alicante were mathematically crowned champions. So near and yet so far, yes, but this is not over and there is still plenty at stake. Promotion will now only be possible through the playoff, but if they beat Algeciras, they would not only secure at least third place, but if Sabadell fail to win away at Tarazona, the red-and-whites would finish second and have home advantage in the semifinals and a potential playoff final. Filling Alcalá is the objective for the final match of the 2025-2026 regular season.

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