Peña Deportiva on the Brink of Returning to Segunda RFEF
A Tough Journey to the Play‑offs
After finishing third in Group 11 of Tercera RFEF, Peña Deportiva seemed far from the promotion spots. They trailed Mallorca B by 18 points and Manacor by nine. A rough patch in March led the board to replace head coach Raúl Garrido. The change brought in Ramiro González, who instantly revived the squad, secured a play‑off berth, and knocked out both the fourth‑ and second‑placed teams from the Balearic league.
The Final Hurdle: Arenas de Armilla
Now only two matches stand between Santa Eulària and a return to Segunda RFEF. Their opponent, Arenas de Armilla, finished fourth in Andalusian Group 9 with 54 points from 34 games. Known for a rock‑solid defense, the Granadans have conceded just 29 goals while scoring 38. In the play‑offs they have kept three clean sheets out of four games, each time winning 1‑0.
Key players to watch
- Alejandro Gálvez – former UD Ibiza midfielder, brings experience and creativity.
- Migue García – veteran professional with a long career behind him.
- Jorge Molina – ex‑Getafe, Betis, Elche and Granada striker, now coaching the bench.
The team’s top scorers are Miguel Bolívar (11 goals), Pablo Aguilar (10) and Dani Salvatierra (seven, especially influential in the play‑offs).
Why Arenas Is a Tough Opponent
- Defensive mindset – they prefer low‑scoring, tightly contested matches.
- Home strength – only two losses at Municipal de Armilla in all of 2026.
- Away vulnerability – just one win in their last seven trips on the road.
- Recent setbacks – Javier Sánchez Conde received a red card in stoppage time against Motril and will miss the first leg.
Peña’s Path Forward
Ramiro González stresses that his squad is ready for the challenge:
“We have not repeated the same starting eleven in any play‑off game, which shows the depth and commitment of the whole group. These kids are prepared for great things, and we are going to fight for it.”
The coach highlights the team’s daring, colorful style and high‑level competition as the reasons they have defeated strong rivals like Manacor. The staff is already analyzing Arenas de Armilla, knowing that every opponent left in the tournament is dangerous, but confident that Peña’s current form can break through the Granadans’ defensive wall.
Conclusion
Two games separate Peña Deportiva from reclaiming their place in Segunda RFEF. With a balanced squad, tactical flexibility, and the motivation of a remarkable comeback, Santa Eulària has a genuine chance to overturn Arenas de Armilla’s defensive resilience and achieve promotion. The final showdown will test both nerve and skill, but the belief in the locker room suggests the islanders are ready to seize the moment.
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Images Credit: www.diariodeibiza.es