From the goal – where Andrés Fernández did his best to keep us in the game with a penalty save in the first half that would have led us to a draw – to up top – with Dani Escriche’s stunning brace –, SD Huesca played an astonishing match that allowed us to get the best result of the campaign so far. It was against FC Cartagena at Cartagonova (0-3). Escriche’s brace and Marc Mateu’s goal came as a result of a solid performance back in defence, in the midfield and up front. The Azulgranas banged the table and proved themselves to be a dangerous visitor once again. The triumph can give the squad a massive morale boost.
The first half saw an energetic performance from both sides, as Huesca controlled the space at the back of the defence but never refused to keep up the pressure to bring the ball out. In a lively encounter, with good chances and a handful of promising moments, the Oscenses were better than the rival in the first 45. In the 12th, Florian Miguel could have made it 0-1 with a header after a corner, but the ball went wide. Although the hosts dominated possession, Antonio Calle’s side – this time – enjoyed more regular attacks. After the 25th, Huesca could have taken the lead from two consecutive dangerous efforts. Escriche headed an excellent move from the Azulgranas, after Joaquín had assisted Juan Carlos and the latter had crossed to the area. Our no.10 couldn’t strike the ball properly, but just one minute later, Marc Mateu fired a powerful shot that was slightly deflected by the goalkeeper over the crossbar.
In the closing stages of the first half, Cartagena threatened Andrés Fernández’s goal. It was especially by means of an individual play by Gallar, cleared by the Azulgranas defence, and then a looping cross by the midfielder again that finally went wide. After that, the 40th saw the much-deserved goal for the visitors: A throw-in by Marc Mateu, Ignasi Miquel tucked the ball back, Insua headed and Escriche got the sloppy ball and fired a powerful volley into the net. Unfortunately, just before the interval, the official was asked to review a challenge on the pitchside VAR monitor and a penalty was awarded to Cartagena following a foul by Florian Miguel to Boateng. Yet Andrés, clever as always, stayed in the middle of his goal and pulled off a strong save to prevent Rubén Castro and the home side scoring from the spot. What a thrilling first half!
Early in the second half, the Altoaragoneses relied on counterattacks. Joaquín took a couple of chances really well, but was unlucky in his finishing. A little later, in the 58th Marc Mateu made it 0-2. SD Huesca won the ball back in our own half and Joaquín and Escriche ran quick. Our no.10 played a clever through-ball into the space ahead of Mateu, who shot with his left foot and the ball was deflected by the opponent’s defence, finding the back of the net. Xisco’s side were close to make it three by means of Escriche, and after that a penalty was not awarded for a clear handball by Gastón Silva. In the 72nd, Escriche himself grabbed the three points after hitting a thumping shot from the edge of the area into the top corner of the net. And that meant the beginning of the end for the match. Kevin Carlos made his debut in LaLiga in the closing minutes and Huesca controlled the rest of the game, securing all three points from a tough trip, which was really necessary.
