Was this a collective hallucination by CD Tenerife fans, the 0-0 draw at Rayo Vallecano B was certainly weird enough. Considering how much went wrong a point and another clean sheet was a good result but there are some searching questions to be asked at training.
New attacking midfield signing Fran Ochoa didn’t even get a place on the bench as the coach played the loyalty card, that meant that Jesus Alvaro continued to keep Llorente out of the left back slot. Chechu forced an early panic back pass from Rayo, Aridane could have given chase like a racehorse but lately he is more like a pack of supermarket burgers. Rayo chipped the ball wide of Sergio from a free kick and generally looked lively for a side that has nose dived into the lower reaches of the table.
Aridane had a weak header saved and Suso stole the ball off defender Owona and went through to score only to be pulled back by the ref for dangerous play. Inigo Ros was unlucky to get booked for hands after the ball was blasted at him – that takes him into a one game suspension. Chechu fired a shot at the Rayo goal but a defender got the Ros treatment for handling and Chechu stepped up to take the penalty. It was a poor shot that goalie Ismael got down to easily.
Aridane showed he does still have some skill with a nice interchange with Jesus before setting up Chechu who gave the keeper an easy save. Into the second half and Suso had a good chance blocked by a defender and a Tarantino free kick sailed over the bar. Loro came on for Suso but only lasted five minutes. A wild lunge with his foot at chest height brought an instant red card and probably a lengthy suspension. Marti Guillem replaced Aridane at last and put himself about, Alcaniz fouled him trying to pin him down and made his own early exit.
Nico replaced Cristo as the game faded, Nono was lucky to stay on after a forearm smash on Chechu’s neck and Medina put his free kick high and wide with the last real chance of the game. Changes will have to be made next week with Loro and Ros missing and it’s not before time.