David Astals gave UD Ibiza the lead before Tiago Geralnik equalized and meant that the game ended level
UD Ibiza and Villarreal B shared the points in both teams’ first fixture of the 2024/25 Primera RFEF season. David Astals put ID Ibiza ahead in a first half that they dominated, but Tiago Geralnik restored parity at the start of the second half, in which the Mini Submarine would go on to dominate.
Villarreal B began the 2024/25 season in Primera RFEF with a visit to UD Ibiza on Saturday afternoon. The Yellows B team, with many new faces from last campaign, but with Miguel Álvarez once again in the dugout, were looking for three points at the Estadi Palladium Can to start their season in the third division of Spanish football in the best way possible.
The Yellows B team made a strong start. With nine minutes on the clock, a quick counter attack from the Mini Submarine saw the ball reach Rodri Alonso, but his shot went just over the bar.
Just minutes later, David Astals gave the home side the lead. A deep cross found the UD Ibiza number 11 in the centre. He took a touch, set his sights and fired an unstoppable effort into the roof of the net past Iker Álvarez to make it 1-0.
The goal took the wind out of the sails of both sides, and after a brief period in which nothing of note happened for either team, Villarreal B started to find their footing in the game. With 30 minutes played, Tiago Geralnik, wearing the captain’s armband for the Yellows B team, broke forward and played Pau Cabanes through on goal with a defence-splitting pass. However, the Yellows striker saw his left-footed strike saved by the UD Ibiza goalkeeper.
Ibiza and Villarreal B went into the break with the scoreline reading 1-0 in favour of the home side.
The first opportunity of the second half fell the way of Miguel Álvarez’s team. Joseda Menargues, facing his former side, raced down the right wing before curling in a dangerous cross to the near post towards Dani Requena, but his marker did brilliantly to get in front and divert the ball out of play.
The Yellows B team were ramping up the pressure and were camped in the opposition half, with Requena a constant threat to Ibiza. Before long, they were level. The Andalusian central midfielder’s mazy run saw him brought down by Alberto Escassi in the box and Campos Salinas pointed to the spot. Tiago Geralnik stepped up and made no mistake to make it 1-1 on 57 minutes.
The Yellows’ dominance grew stronger throughout the half. Joseda and Cristo Romero continued to break forward dangerously on the right and left flanks respectively, and Villarreal B were getting into the opponent’s box with ease. Ibiza, on the other hand, were unable to trouble Iker Álvarez.
As the clocked ticked towards 90 minutes, both teams were looking for a winner. However, neither side was able to take the lead and the points were shared in the first match of the 2024/25 Primera RFEF season.
The next fixture for the Yellows B team will be on Sunday 1st August, as they take on Real Betis Deportivo in the first match of the season at the Mini Estadi at the José Manuel Llaneza Training Ground for Miguel Álvarez’s side.
