Castellón take on big hitters in a stacked play-off | OneFootball

In a brutal Segunda División play-off field, Castellón have emerged, alongside Málaga, as the season’s revelation. They finished only two points behind third-placed Almería, and Burgos missed out despite 72 points, the same tally as Castellón.

As reported by El Periódico Mediterráneo, pre-season forecasts put Leganés, Las Palmas and Valladolid at the head of the queue. Castellón, who had returned to the second tier and survived on the antepenultimate matchday to finish 17th, were barely mentioned.

The financial gulf is stark. Castellón’s budget stands at 14.3 million euros, far below Almería’s 40 million, Las Palmas’s 46.7 million and Málaga’s 21 million.

Squad values tell a similar story. Transfermarkt rates Castellón at 20.4 million euros, versus Almería at 50.3, Las Palmas at 45 and Málaga at 27.2. Despite that, they posted a points haul befitting an automatic promotion candidate.

Their rivals also bring fresher top-flight pedigree. Almería went down in 2024, Las Palmas did so a year ago, and Málaga’s last season in the top flight was 2017/2018. Castellón have never contested the play-offs, while Almería and Las Palmas have four apiece and Málaga one. They have not played in the top flight since 1991.

Even the stage is different. SkyFi Castalia holds 14,500, the smallest of the four, yet it offers intensity, identity and a clear bond with a team that has reignited a city.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo