Image Dario Perez
BY CHRIS PEACH
Final rating: SC Torrevieja 4–0 CD Thader
Derby day in Torrevieja is at all times charged with pressure, and this conflict on the Nelson Mandela Stadium didn’t disappoint. SC Torrevieja got here into the sport underneath stress after a disappointing defeat the earlier week, whereas guests CD Thader arrived buoyed by a assured 3–0 opening-day victory.
Head coach Piquero reacted to Torry’s setback by reshuffling his line-up, switching to a 4-3-3 and bringing in Carmona, Muñoz, Abadía, Caleb, and debutant striker Ismail. The gamble paid off in emphatic vogue.
A energetic first half
The opening phases have been tentative, with few clear possibilities. Torrevieja’s first actual alternative fell to Ismail, who rose nicely to fulfill a nook however might solely direct his header straight on the keeper. On the fitting wing, Caleb was already displaying glimpses of his electrical tempo, continually troubling the Thader full-back.
The breakthrough got here within the nineteenth minute, and it was Caleb who delivered it. Latching onto an outstanding lengthy move from Carmona, the winger used his pace to burst previous his marker earlier than calmly slotting the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper from 20 yards. It was a aim of actual high quality that set the tone for the afternoon.
Torry pushed for a second, with Ismail testing the defence and Caleb persevering with to torment his man. The debutant striker got here shut simply earlier than the half-hour mark, assembly one other pinpoint cross from Caleb, however the Thader keeper produced a wonderful save to disclaim him.
Right on half-time, Caleb almost produced one thing spectacular, letting fly with a thunderous 25-yard volley that whistled inches over the bar. It would have been an early goal-of-the-season contender.
The hosts went into the break deservedly 1–0 up, with Caleb the standout performer in a dominant first-half show.
Thader’s fightback falters
The second half started with Thader displaying extra urgency. Within a minute of the restart, Torry didn’t clear their traces and gifted a wonderful probability contained in the six-yard field, however the striker sliced huge. Soon after, one other header from shut vary sailed harmlessly over, and the guests sensed an equaliser was potential.
Worryingly for Torrevieja, Caleb was compelled off on 54 minutes with a groin harm following a crunching sort out. Piquero responded by introducing Gálvez and Ramiro, however for the opening quarter-hour of the half it was one-way visitors. Centre-back Paco stood tall, bravely heading clear underneath stress as Thader piled on the crosses.
Then, virtually out of nowhere, Torry struck the decisive blow. On 69 minutes, Dani Muñoz, who had been rising into the sport, produced an exquisite defence-splitting move to launch substitute Gálvez. With solely the goalkeeper to beat, he confirmed selflessness, rolling the ball throughout for Ismail to faucet into an empty web. The debutant’s first Torrevieja aim was greeted with aid as a lot as pleasure by the house supporters.
Torry activate the fashion
That second aim appeared to empty all combat from Thader, and Torry ruthlessly took management. Just 9 minutes later it was 3–0. Again Muñoz was the architect, threading one other exact by way of ball to Gálvez, who this time completed the job himself with a composed curling strike into the far nook.
The icing on the cake got here within the 84th minute. Substitute Matias surged down the fitting earlier than reducing the ball again to the again put up, the place Muñoz was ready to smash house from shut vary. It was a becoming reward for a tireless second-half efficiency and capped off an outstanding particular person show that included two assists and a aim.
Statement victory
When the ultimate whistle blew, the scoreboard learn 4–0 to SC Torrevieja. What had threatened to be a nervy afternoon changed into a derby demolition, with the house followers heading house delighted by their crew’s response to final week’s setback.
For Piquero, this was vindication of his tactical shake-up and a transparent assertion of intent. Caleb’s first-half brilliance set the tone, whereas Muñoz’s second-half masterclass ensured Torry killed the sport in fashion. Thader, so buoyant per week earlier, have been left shell-shocked and outclassed.
Derby days don’t come significantly better for Torrevieja. A robust first-half, a ruthless second, and 4 totally different gamers making the scoresheet—the Nelson Mandela Stadium witnessed a efficiency that would show a springboard for the season forward.
