The story of Córdoba CF has been written by a madman—one who turns chaos into narrative, makes the epic a habit, and transforms the improbable into routine. This was evident once again against Granada (1-0). Just when the match seemed destined for another frustrating night at El Arcángel—where only a win mattered, not even a draw—between shots hitting the woodwork, wasted chances, injuries, a red card, and the clock ticking against them, the impossible twist arrived once more. This team, which just weeks ago was mired in the worst losing streak in its Segunda División history, has now, fueled by belief, chaos, pride, Jacobo González’s return to form, and a relentless rebellious spirit, reopened the door to a playoff spot that seemed buried.
A Strong Start
Iván Ania left little room for surprises in his lineup. When something works, you don’t change it, and for the fourth straight game, the Asturian coach stuck with his trusted starting eleven. Iker Álvarez was in goal, protected by Albarrán and Vilarrasa on the flanks and the established central defensive duo of Álex Martín and Rubén Alves. In midfield, Del Moral kept his place alongside Requena, despite Isma Ruiz’s return to the squad, while Sergi Guardiola remained in his hybrid attacking role, which has been giving the team wings in recent weeks.
Up front, continuity reigned. Kevin Medina, in fine form, started on the left; Carracedo did the same on the right, and Adrián Fuentes, fresh off a double at Castalia, led the line. The first real chance came from Carracedo’s boots. A loose ball fell to the Catalan, who, on the edge of the box with insulting ease, brushed past Diallo before unleashing a rocket that smacked into Trigueros’ back just as it was heading for Astralaga’s goal. An even clearer opportunity came minutes later. Vilarrasa linked up with Fuentes, who sent a cross to the far post where the former Linares man arrived unmarked and smashed a missile off the crossbar with an open goal at his mercy.
The opening exchanges were more about probing than pace. Heavy vigilance, little space, and Córdoba monopolized possession without breaking through the compact Nazarí defense. It wasn’t until after the halfway mark of the first half that the action flared up again—and again it involved the woodwork. A set piece from the edge of the box, Vilarrasa’s audacity, and another long-range strike that rattled the crossbar for the second time.
Despite the lack of a goal, Córdoba clearly dominated. They moved the ball around a forest of Granada legs, while Pacheta’s side survived by sitting deep, more reliant on isolated counterattacks than building from the back. Zinebi barely got a sniff, well marshaled by Álex Martín and Rubén Alves. But Córdoba’s block was solid, quick to correct and track back. The warnings kept coming. Carracedo nearly scored from a wicked in-swinging corner that almost caught Astralaga out. Then Fuentes stumbled after a feline save from the Catalan keeper, heading wide with the goal gaping. Medina then sent a weak shot into the stands instead of the target.
Granada Starts to Respond
After the break, Pablo Sáenz…
