Purring and grinning like a cheshire cat you could say I was happy with CD Tenerife’s well crafted 2-0 home win over Deportivo. After so much early season sour milk this was the cream, a commanding defensive show, a pleasing midfield blend, and two classy goals, all against a Primera side marking time in the Segunda.
The sharp showers I had experienced all afternoon in Santa Cruz stood aside as Tenerife dominated the first half, Roberto had to wait until the 18th minute for a slice of the action, he made a strong intervention to take the ball cleanly as Deportivo threatened. Before that Carlos Ruiz headed on from a corner but the ball eluded everyone to run out of play. Ayoze had a half chance when Aitor Sanz threaded a good ball through for him to run onto but a visiting defender forced him wide so his shot went straight at the goalie. Aridane had his moment but a speculative long range shot kept rising and was well clear of the bar.
Rudy was the danger man for Deportivo, he led the few breaks they were allowed, he sneaked in on the right and put a threatening cross into the goal area, Ruiz got a foot to it but as it bounced up invitingly Roberto leapt and made it his. Aitor Sanz and Rivero worked well together in midfield and it was Rivero who created the opening goal wit a corner that Ruiz met perfectly with a powerful glancing header that buried the ball. Veteran Pablo turned back the years to get past Raul Camara, a rare weak moment at left back, and sent a swirling cross just under thee crossbar, Roberto took no chances and pawed it over the woodwork while under pressure.
Suso had come on for Chechu and gave Deportivo a torrid time, he played a key part in the flowing move that sealed the game. A deep clearance found Aridane, he passed to Suso who hurdled a couple of defenders before laying the ball off neatly to Aridane as he charged in and gave the scoreline the weight it deserved.
A terrific game, the only down sides were the booking for Sanz that gives him a suspension for next Sundays game at Alaves, and the poor crowd of 7,929. We can’t blame this on financial problems. When I was down in the city centre the bars were packing out from mid afternoon for the clash of the fat cats, a few thousand must have chosen to go out and spend money on that rather than watch Tenerife. Even CB Canarias basketball had an increased gate of 3,400 for their 8pm game. Oh you fickle floaters, you missed a cracking game.