Sol y Futbol: Rojillos Defeated By Atlético Youth

LANZAROTE 0 ATLÉTICO MADRID B 4

24th September 2009

It is extremely difficult to determine whether the quality of teams Lanzarote have faced has been above average or simply the Rojillos are way out of their depth. Lanzarote were taught a lesson in the art of passing, control, keeping possession, finishing and about anything positive you can do on a football park for 90 minutes yet again.

The youth of Atlético Madrid simply tore apart Lanzarote with players that will be pursuing their careers in Spain’s Golden league.

The Madrid side began the game the much brighter of the two sides as Lanzarote struggled to hold onto the ball. Lanzarote´s big man upfront Rosmen got drawn into the defence and therefore when the ball was cleared it came straight back. Lanzarote´s defence has come under much criticism lately but with the first line of defence being attack and with only three goals scored in five matches the back four are always under pressure which eventually will burst and leak goals.

The Conejeros (locals) incredibly weathered the storm and from the 20th minute entered into their best spell of the match. After five consecutive corners right back Ayoze Pérez fired in a shot from 20 yards but Atlético´s keeper Nacho saved well and parried away for another corner.

As the Rojillos were beginning to enjoy themselves, tragedy struck. The brilliant Congolese left winger Cedric was adjudged to having been tripped just inside the penalty area and the referee ordered a spot kick to the visitors. Lanzarote keeper Floro made a valiant attempt as the ball was blasted to his right but the strength of the shot proved sufficient as Floro got a good hand on the ball but only succeeded into pushing it onto the inside of the post and in.

Going into the break at only a goal down the Lanzarote crowd were still optimistic. Many of the Conejero crowd decided to stay at home and watch a full league programme including Real Madrid and Barcelona but many of the expats and tourists to the island decided to ignore the league cup matches and support the Rojillos which emphasized the importance of foreign fans.

Man of the match Cedric was constantly taunting the Lanzarote backline with his jinking runs. The young lad has already made one appearance for Atlético´s first team at the age of 16 and looks certain for a future in top flight football.

That optimism lasted till just over the hour mark. From a corner the tall and talented centre forward Ibrahim superbly headed his side into a two goal lead. Five minutes later and Lanzarote´s first ever British player Ian Robinson got his chance. Unfortunately for the Barnsley boy this was not going to be a memorable debut.

Up until this second goal Lanzarote looked as though they might be able to retrieve something from the game without seriously threatening Atlético´s keeper Nacho. Right winger Toñito never gave up on the cause and looked the most threatening player for the Rojillos. On many occasions the winger beat his left back and produced quality crosses but the Lanzarote forwards could not find a way through a very well organized Madrid defence. Four minutes after Robbo´s arrival and the visitors were 3-0 up. The usually faultless and composed centre back Kamara misjudged the run by the impressive midfielder Perea and with keeper Floro stranded he delicately chipped over to make certain of the outcome of the match.

Sub Borja Gonzalez completed the rout in the final minute. Lanzarote were sentenced to their fourth consecutive defeat with this four nil morale destroying defeat and are now in the final relegation position, fourth from bottom. The number four does not seem to be Lanzarote´s lucky number.

Up next for the Rojillos is a worrying away match against Real Racing B. The third placed side has yet to concede a goal at home and Lanzarote are yet to score away, though Lanzarote can live in the hope that football has a tendency of turning a form book on its head and this is probably why we all love it so much.