Albacete Balompié faced a setback in their fight to avoid relegation Saturday, falling 2-0 to league leaders Deportivo de La Coruña at the Carlos Belmonte stadium. Goals from stoichkov and Eddahchouri sealed the victory for Deportivo, compounding Albacete’s struggles in front of goal and leaving them with just 19 points from 17 matches played in the 2024-2025 Segunda División season.The result intensifies pressure on the Albacete squad as they prepare for a busy week with both league and Copa del Rey commitments.
Albacete Balompié suffered a frustrating Saturday afternoon defeat against league-leading Deportivo de La Coruña. The Galician side secured a 2-0 victory with crucial goals in the 44th and 90th minutes, one just before halftime and the other deep into added time. Despite a lackluster performance from Albacete, particularly in attack, Deportivo capitalized to claim all three points thanks to strikes from Stoichkov and Eddahchouri. The loss leaves Albacete precariously close to the relegation zone, having accumulated just 19 points so far this season.
The match at the Carlos Belmonte stadium began at a rapid pace. Deportivo nearly opened the scoring early with a low shot from Stoichkov, which Mariño deflected to a corner with a difficult save. Albacete quickly responded with a header from Pepe Sánchez that Germán cleared off the line following a corner kick delivered by Morci. After these early chances, the game settled into a more cautious rhythm until the pivotal moment in the 44th minute. A long ball over the Albacete defense from Mario Soriano found Stoichkov, who finished calmly past Mariño to make it 1-0 – a potentially decisive psychological blow.
Albacete showed improved energy after the restart and were awarded a penalty in the 76th minute when José Ángel fouled Pacheco with a challenge from behind in the Deportivo area. However, referee Marta Huerta de Aza overturned the decision after a VAR review, much to the dismay of the Albacete players and fans. As the game neared its conclusion, Albacete pressed for an equalizer, but a swift counter-attack saw Yeremay set up Eddahchouri, who confidently slotted the ball past Mariño to seal the 2-0 win for Deportivo.
“Alba” will return to league action on Monday, December 8th, with a visit to Burgos CF (4:15 PM, Movistar+). Before that, Albacete Balompié will travel to CD Leganés on Thursday for a Copa del Rey second-round match, played as a single-game tie, for the 2024-2025 season.
Match Details
Albacete Balompié: Mariño; Lorenzo Aguado (Fran Gámez, 76′), Vallejo, Pepe Sánchez (Neva, 84′), Jogo; Valverde (Jefté, 76′), Riki, Meléndez (Escriche, 64′); Puertas and Morci (Lazo, 64)
Deportivo de La Coruña: Germán; Mella, Loureiro, Barcia, Comas, Quagliata; Patiño (Villares, 67′), José Ángel (Gragera, 83′), Mario Soriano (Rubén López, 90′) (Christian Herrera, 90′); Yeremay and Stoichkov (Eddahchouri, 83)
Referee: Marta Huerta de Aza (Tenerife Committee). Yellow cards to Albacete’s Puertas (accumulation) and Deportivo’s Barcia.
Goals: 0-1, 44th minute: Stoichkov; 0-2, 90th minute: Eddahchouri
Attendance: 10,633 (official figure) at the Carlos Belmonte stadium for this Saturday afternoon Segunda División match.
