It was a difficult afternoon for SD Huesca against CD Lugo at El Alcoraz, especially due to a string of controversial refereeing decisions. The hosts saw their opener by Jorge Pulido ruled out, when they looked to lay the first stone for the fourth successive home win. After being recovered thanks to Gerard Valentín, who put he Azulgranas ahead, Florian Miguel was sent off in the 60th, which conditioned the rest of the game.
Lugo’s performance was as expected: they played their style and proved to be combative, the Northern side being the first to shoot on target. The first stages saw both teams share possession and chances. Gerard Valentín struck twice, the first time after a cross from the left wing and the second after an individual play straight to Whalley’s hands. Before the Interval, Lugo had a couple of approaches to the Altoaragoneses’ half, whereas Juan Carlos fired a volley that went wide.
The second 45 began differently, as Jorge Pulido found the back of the net following a brilliant corner taken by Marc Mateu. It was set to be the one that opened the deadlock, but the VAR intervened to rule it out for a previous foul by Pulido himself. El Alcoraz was on fire when Gerard Valentín, five minutes later, amended the controversial refereeing decision. Our no.7 powered a header following an aerial cross from the right wing, this goal being undebatable. This one was genuinely the opener. The victory seemed closer and easier now for the Azulgranas, but the referee would still make it more difficult for Cuco’s men, by sending off Miguel on the hour mark, after VAR asked him to review a foul. The hosts had to resist then and Ziganda brought on Kanté, Kento and Vilarrasa after the left-back had to leave the pitch earlier than expected. Far from falling apart, SD Huesca fought for a goal, trying to play on the opposition’s half. Kento was about to be the local hero in the injury time, but his finish from the 6-yard box touched the post. The 9 minutes of stoppage time saw the Azulgranas run forward tirelessly. However, the final whistle blew into a inevitable draw.
