Travelling to Real Madrid Castilla, B team of Mourinho’s millionaires, CD Tenerife needed to be at their very best but this was like the bad old days, three goals conceeded in the 3-1 defeat, and six players booked. Most of this season is going to be a diet of mediocre opponents but there are a few that will be genuine contenders for the four promotion play off spots in this section of Segunda B. Castilla although a little cynical, wonder where they get that from, are definately one of the sides that have the quality to rise above the pack.
It all started so well for the near 200 CDT fans that made the trip, Tenerife were playing good passing football and Ferran Tacon and Kiko both went close in the first ten minutes. Victor Bravo tested the home keeper with one of his free kicks while at the other end Sergio Aragoneses snuffed out a long range Madrid effort. Disaster struck after 26 minutes when a penalty was given against Kitoko for hand ball, the replay showed he moved his hand towards the ball as it was heading out of the danger zone. Joselu stepped up to make it 1-0 and suuddenly Tenerife looked a shadow of the confident starters. Madrid seized the initiative, Sergio had to react well to stop Morata and Fernandez curled a clever shot just over the bar.
Into the second half and a defensive lapse saw the margin doubled, Juanera ran down the right and with Meji out of position Tarantino tried to cover but the home player played the ball past him and went on to put in a cross that Morata was able to tap in. Castilla had a half hearted appeal a few minutes later when the ball struck Tarantino’s hand just inside the box, thankfully the ref wasn’t interested. Perona missed a decent chance in front of goal just before Madrid grabbed a third, Joselu cut in from the left and unleashed a shot that Sergio seemed to have reached but it beat his outstretched hand and bulged the net.
Coach Calderon brought on Nico for Bravo and it perked Tenerife up a little, Ferran Tacon was bearing down on goal and fired but it hit a home defender full in the face. Perona tested home goalie Mejias but he was equal to it with a one handed save. Zazo (above) on for Marcos pulled a goal back with a well flighted free kick with 10 minutes waiting but despite an attempt by Nico and a late save from Zazo, Tenerife paid the price for a poor second half display.