Spanish Second Division "A": LaLiga2, 2019-2020

[AlanK]

And here's what's coming in Jornada 41 on Friday, 17 July, and what's at stake

All games at 2100 (subject to change without notice ) ALL SCORES NOW FINAL

Albacete- 4, Zaragoza 1 El Alba is 20th, one point and two places back of the lowest team not in the drop. Their last game is at Cádiz, where they might sneak a win over the already-promoted gaditanos, but I wouldn't count on it. Zaragoza looked solid for direct promotion; now they're two points and two teams back of direct promotion; they probably have to win both remaining games to have any chance for that; two losses could conceivably leave them out of the promotion playoffs altogether. This result lifts Alba out of the drop . . . by a point. Zaragoza is now fifth, a point back of Girona and Almería.

Extremadura 2, Sporting 0 Extremadura has already dropped--¡hasta siempre Sporting needs two wins AND a prayer to get into the playoffs.

Fuenlabrada 3, Elche 1 As pointed out in the two posts above this one, the winner of this game will be well-placed for the promo playoffs; a tie could kill them both. Fuenla wins a huge one, and controls their own fate with regard to the playoffs. Elche is one place and two points back of Fuenla.

Girona 2, Cádiz 1 Girona is in fifth place--that means the third playoff spot, so they're unseeded now. Two wins could see them directly promoted, but it probably won't work out that way. Cádiz, already promoted, plays for pride. Stuani, of course, at 22' And Stuani added a pk at 59'; Girona rises to fourth place.

Huesca 3, Numancia 0 Huesca is VERY fortunate to be in the second automatic promotion spot after losing in the Sardinero. Gotta beat Numancia and then win in Gijón to be sure of direct promotion. Numancia is above the drop by one point. At least they control their destiny at this point. Rafa Mir scores twice and Okazaki once and HUESCA WINS DIRECT PROMOTION to LaLiga Numancia is gonna have to win AND get some help on Monday to avoid the drop.

Mirandés 1, Dépor 0 Mirandés has fallen to 13th place; probably has no chance for the promo playoffs even with two wins, but at least they're safe from the drop. Dépor is NOT safe--they are two points and two places above the drop. Their final game is a tough one at home to Fuenla. Merquelanz scored at 27' to win this one and leave Mirandés way above the drop but without playoff chances. Dépor is the top of the drop and must get something at home to Fuenla on Monday.

Málaga 2, Alcorcón 0 Málaga is three points and four places above the drop. They're hosting the toughest road team in LaLiga2 in this game. Alcor still has a very outside shot at the playoffs. The win puts Málaga safe from the drop.

Ponferradina 2, Almería 1 Ponfe is just two points and three places above the drop. Almería is third, one point and one place back of automatic promotion--but they don't control their own destiny. Have to check H2H to see whether Ponfe is safe from the drop. Almería remains third.

Rayo 2, Las Palmas 2 Rayo must win and hope for a tie between Fuenla and Elche if Rayo is to control their own destiny in the season's final game--they'll play already-dropped Racing in the Sardinero in that one. Las Palmas is in the same boat as Mirandés--playoffs almost impossible; safe from the drop. Joni at 20' and Trejo at 49' score for Rayo; Rubén Castro (who else ) brings the Canaries back twice with pk's at 38' and 90'.

Oviedo 1, Racing 0 Oviedo is four points above the drop, so a win over the already-dropped "farolillo rojo" would guarantee them safety. Obeng's goal at 7' lifts Oviedo to safety.

Tenerife 1, Lugo 2 Tete is three points and three places back of the last playoff spot, so they'll be hoping for Fuenla and Elche to tie and Rayo to lose. Lugo is the top of the drop and only a win is likely to provide what they need; their last game, against Mirnadés, could be for a lot of marbles :!:Talk about a big win in extremis Herrera gives Lugo the lead at 54', Milla ties with a pk at 70', and Hacen scores the winner for Lugo at 95'. Lugo isn't safe by any means, but they control their own destiny and play at home on Monday.

[AlanK]

Well, campers, above you have an idea about what's comin' up in LaLiga2, but you know they also play fútbol in Segunda B, and although that's been on hold, they're gonna have their playoffs starting Saturday, 18 July, using basically the same rules they have in the past for these playoffs, with the following exceptions: all playoffs are based on one-offs; all games will be played without fans and will be played at one of three venues--stadiums are to be two in Málaga, two in Marbella, and one in Algeciras.

Here's the calendar

First Round

Group Champions

Sat. 18 July 2200 Castellón-Logroñés Winner promoted to LaLiga2.

Sun. 19 July 2200 Cartagena-At. Baleares Winner promoted to LaLiga2.

Losers of the above two matches go to a "repesca"

Second place finishers vs fourth place finishers

Sat. 18 July 2000 IbIza-Cornellà Winner to next round.

Sat. 18 July 2200 Marbella-Peña Deportiva Winner to next round.

Sun. 19 July 2000 Barça B-Valladolid Promesas Winner to next round.

Sun. 19 July 2200 Leonesa-Yeclano Deportivo Winner to next round.

Third place finishers

Sat. 18 July 2000 Bilbao At.-Badajoz Winner to next round.

Dom. 19 July 2000 Sabadell-Atlético B Winner to next round.

Second Round

Wed. 22 July: Losers of Champions Group vs winners of seconds vs fourths and winners of thirds

Third Round

Sunday 26 July The four winners that emerge from the second round play off; the winners are promoted to LaLiga2.

Gets a little sketchy there toward the end. Assuming no changes from the past, Group winners cannot play each other in the second or the third round.

¿'Tá claro

[matt]

Huesca es de Primera!

[AlanK]

Huesca es de Primera!

Right on See above and below.

[AlanK]

The top and the drop with Jornada 41 complete--one jornada to go, on Monday 21 July

1. Cádiz---------------69 points; +50-38 Next hosts Albacete in a huge game for the visitors. Cádiz has won promotion but is not yet league champion.
2. Huesca-------------67 points; +54-42 At Sporting. Has won promotion; could end up winning the league.
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3. Almería-------------63 points; +62-43 Hosts Málaga. At the moment is top playoff seed--not sure if there's an advantage to that what with pandemic.
4. Girona-------------63 points; +48-41 At Alcorcón. Can Stuani carry them to LaLiga1
5. Zaragoza-----------62 points; +57-52 Hosts Ponferradina. Is now 0-1-5 in their last six games, but still have qualified for the playoffs.
6. Fuenlabrada---------60 points; +46-38 At Dépor in a HUGE game for both. A loss could knock Fuenla out of the playoffs; a loss sends Dépor to Second Division B.
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7. Elche--------------58 points; +50-43 Hosts Oviedo. Must win and Fuenla must lose for Elche to make the playoffs.
8. Rayo---------------57 points; +58-49 At Racing. Must win; Elche must not win, and Fuenla must lose for Rayo to make the playoffs.
Teams ranked ninth through 15th can go neither up via the playoffs nor down due to relegation--these are, in order, Mirandés, Tenerife, Sporting, Las Palmas, Oviedo, and Málaga.
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16.Ponferradina-------51 points; +44-48 At Zaragoza. Dépor, Albacete, and Lugo would all have to win while Ponfe loses for the latter to drop.
17. Lugo------------49 points; +41-53 Hosts Mirandés. Is one point and two places above the drop . . .
18. Albacete---------49 points; +35-46 At Cádiz. Is one point and one place above the drop . . .
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19. Dépor-------------48 points; +41-59 Hosts Fuenla. Must get something and have others help in order to avoid the drop.
20. Numancia---------47 points; +43-52 Hosts Tenerife. Must win and get some help in order to avoid the drop.
21. Extremadura-------43 points; +42-54 At Las Palmas. Already dropped.
22. Racing------------33 points; +38-54 Hosts Rayo. Already dropped.

[AlanK]

Today's games--Sat. 18 July--are playoffs for promotion from lower leagues to higher leagues. I'll concern myself only with promotion from Second Division "B" to LaLiga2 (also known as Second Division "A").

2200 Castellón 1, Logroñés 1--winner to LaLiga2; loser to "repesca." Full time--Logroñés wins on pk's. Castellón to repesca; Logroñés wins promation to LaLiga2

2000 Ibiza 1, Cornellà 2 --winner to next round; loser out. Cornellà advances to semifinals; Ibiza eliiminated.

2200 Marbella 0, Peña Deportiva 2--winner to next round; loser out. Peña Deportiva advances to semifinals; Marbella eliminated.

2000 Bilbao At. 1, Badajoz 1 Full time. There will be overtime and pk's if necessary; Badajoz playing with 10 men.--winner to next round; loser out. Badajoz advances on penalty kicks; Bilbao At. eliminated.

There will be four more games tomorrow.

[AlanK]

Today's games--Sun. 19 July--offer more of what we had yesterday--promotion playoffs to advance from Second Division "B" to LaLiga2

2200 Cartagena 0, At. Baleares 0 Winner is promoted to LaLiga2; loser goes to a "repesca." Cartagena wins promotion to LaLiga2 on pk's. At. Baleares enters the "repesca." Congrats to Cartagena

2000 Barça "B" 3, Valladolid Promesas 2 Winner goes to semifinals; loser is eliminated. Barça B progresses; Valladolid eliminated.

2200 Leonesa 4, Yeclano Deportivo 1 Winner goes to semifinals; loser is eliminated. Leonesa progresses; Yeclano eliminated.

2000 Sabadell 1, At. Madrid "B" 1 Winner goes to semifinals; loser is eliminated. Sabadell progresses on pk's; Atlético "B" eliminated.

UPDATE: Wednesday's semifinals

2000 Barça "B"-Badajoz

2200 Castellón-Peña Deportiva

2000 At. Baleares-Cornellà

2200 Leonesa-Sabadell

All on Wed., 22 July with the following restrictions for this round and for the Finals on Sunday: group winners cannot play one another; teams from the same groups cannot play one another (as far as possible, since Castellón, Barça "B", Cornellà, and Sabadell are all from the same group). Teams that finished higher will play teams that finished lower in the regular season--again as far as possible).

[AlanK]

Today's games--Monday 20 July: The Beat Goes On, and the Curtain Comes Down on the 2019-2020 season: time for Jornada 42, to wit

1830 Las Palmas 5, Extremadura 1 Las Palmas is going neither up nor down, and Extremadura has already dropped mathematically, so this game is at a different hour than all the rest. Utter blowout, as Canaries lead 4-0 after just over half an hour. And now 5-0 at 47'. And Extremadura gets the gol del honor in added time.

2100 ALL GAMES FINAL, EXCEPT THE POSTPONED DEPOR-FUENLA
Alcorcón 2, Girona 0 Alcor will go neither up nor down, but Girona will finish in the playoffs, and could move up or down as a result of this game, which is streamed "live" here, and I will probably choose to watch this one. Sosa with a pk at 56' and Arribas at 74' give Alcor a win over a Girona that looked like it was saving the big effort for the playoffs. Girona plays Almería in the first playoff round, regardless of the result of the postponed Dépor-Fuenla.

Almería 0, Málaga 0 Same as the previous game--Almería will finish in the playoff spots, and Málaga is going nowhere--safe by one point from the drop. This game is also streamed live here. Scoreless tie in the Juegos Mediterráneos.

Cádiz 0, Albacete 1 First-place Cádiz could fall to second place, but they have won promotion regardless. El Alba is one point above the drop and must win if they are to be sure of avoiding the drop. Maikel Mesa saves el Alba from relegation and simultaneously gives the title to Huesca as he converts a pk at 90'. Wow

THIS GAME HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO POSITIVES FOR CORONAVIRUS AMONG THE PLAYERS. Dépor-Fuenlabrada GAME OF THE JORNADA Why of course they aren't streaming this one here Dépor is the top of the drop; they could drop even with a win. Fuenla must win to be sure of reaching the promotion playoffs.

Elche 2, Oviedo 1 Elche must win and Fuenla must lose if Elche is to make the promotion playoffs. Oviedo is going neither up nor down. Jonathas gives Elche the lead at 24'; Lolo ties for Oviedo at 40'--1-1. Pere Milla wins it for the ilicitanos with a goal at 81'. Elche now occupies the last playoff spot, but Fuenla needs just a point from the postponed game in Riazor to take the last playoff spot, as they have H2H with Elche.

Lugo 2, Mirandés 1 Lugo is one point above the drop--enough said. Mirandés is going nowhere. André gives Mirandés the lead at 45'+4'. Looks bad for Lugo Cristian Herrera scores at 66' and 84' to save the bacon for Lugo, which thus avoids the drop

Numancia 2, Tenerife 1 Numancia is in 20th place. They must win to have a chance to avoid the drop. Tete is going nowhere. Zlatanovic scores a possible "saver" for Numancia at 11'--1-0. Sipcic ties for Tete at 60'; Curro Sánchez scores the winner for Numancia at 64'--Numancia did all they could, but late goals elsewhere have condemned them to the drop.

Racing 1, Rayo 2 Racing dropped long ago--mathematically, anyway. Rayo, in order to climb to the last playoff spot, must win, and Elche must not win and Fuenla must lose. I was hoping for a bit better standing for Rayo . . . Siverio dampens Rayo's hopes at 44'--1-0. Rayo came back and won, but Elche's late winner means that Rayo is out of the playoffs. Alvaro García at 50' and Mario Suárez with a pk at 63' gave Rayo what they needed to win this game.

Zaragoza 2, Ponferradina 1 Zaragoza is guaranteed a playoff spot, despite a record of 0-1-5 over their last six games. They can finish as high as third or as low as sixth. Ponfe is safe from the drop, since they have H2H vs Dépor, the top of the drop. Linares at 35' lifts Zaragoza into third place--for the moment, at least. Iván ties for Ponfe at 50', but Blanco wins it for Zaragoza at 66', and lifts Zaragoza to third place, which gives them all possible advantages in the promo playoffs.

Sporting 0, Huesca 1 Sporting is going nowhere. Huesca has already won promotion, but they have a shot at LaLiga2 championship, for which Huesca must win and Cádiz lose today. Scoreless in the Molinón at the half. Cristo scores for Huesca at 73', and the late goal in Cádiz by Albacete combines with this result to give Huesca the championship of LaLiga2 to Huesca, back in First Division as champs

[JohnHarts]

Today's games--Monday 20 July: The Beat Goes On, and the Curtain Comes Down on the 2019-2020 season: time for Jornada 42, to wit

THIS GAME HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO POSITIVES FOR CORONAVIRUS AMONG THE PLAYERS. Dépor-Fuenlabrada GAME OF THE JORNADA Why of course they aren't streaming this one here Dépor is the top of the drop; they could drop even with a win. Fuenla must win to be sure of reaching the promotion playoffs.

Other teams in the play-off hunt have cried foul, pointing out that other results could leave Deportivo relegated, giving them nothing to play for and making life much easier for Fuenlabrada, in contrast to a game where Depor would be fighting tooth and nail to stay up. They argued that other games involving teams with relegation or promotion to play for should have been postponed as well. Rayo are already threatening legal action.

While that's at a lower level, it does have ramifications going forward. It's easy to imagine the same thing happening in the Champions league for example, causing UEFA a major headache.

[Firnen]

La Coruna is relegated, together with Numancia.

That makes it easy for Fuenlabrada, they will play an unmotivated and disappointed Depor.

[JohnHarts]

La Coruna is relegated, together with Numancia.

That makes it easy for Fuenlabrada, they will play an unmotivated and disappointed Depor.

Another sad chapter in Depor's recent history. Giants at the start of this century. Won La Liga in 2000, while in 2004 a 60th minute penalty for Porto deprived them of a Champions league final appearance. Now playing in the third level for the first time since 1981.

Fuenlabrada now only need a draw to clinch a promotion spot. They've had quite a rise since their 1975 formation at the eighth level: now in with a chance of the top flight.

By coincidence I watched Fuenlabrada versus Deportivo reserves on the opening day of the third level Segunda B 2017-18 season. I didn't imagine at that point that Fuenlabrada would be overtaking the first team of Depor (who were in La Liga then.)

[AlanK]

League standings before the postponed, final game is played

1. Huesca------------70 points; +55-42
2. Cádiz--------------69 points; +50-39 Title slipped away at 90', but they won promotion without playoffs
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3. Zaragoza-----------65 points; +59-53 Top seed in the playoffs, they play against Elche or Fuenla, but when--
4. Almería------------64 points; +62-43 Second seed in the playoffs, they play Girona, presumably Thursday.
5. Girona-------------63 points; +48-43 . . . and they play Almería in the (first round of ) the playoffs.
6. Elche--------------61 points; +52-44 Because of the postponement, they either play in the playoffs or they don't--Dépor vs Fuenla will decide.
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7. Rayo---------------60 points; +60-50 We are OUT of the playoffs
8. Fuenlabrada--------60 points; +46-38 One point takes them to the playoffs against Zaragoza. When will they play
9. Las Palmas---------57 points; +49-46
10. Alcorcón---------57 points; +52-50 Great on the road; very poor at home.
11. Mirandés---------56 points; +55-59 Happy to be here . . .
12. Tenerife---------55 points; +50-46
13. Sporting---------54 points; +40-38 Very disappointing season, but there is no money in Asturias . . .
14. Málaga----------53 points; +35-33 Ubi sunt the CL Málaga
15. Oviedo----------53 points; +49-53 The way this season went, happy to stay up in LaLiga2
16. Lugo------------52 points; +43-54 14 points in their last six games saved the furniture
17. Albacete---------52 points; +36-46 At 90', Maikel Mesa keeps them in LaLiga2 with a pk . . .
18. Ponferradina-----51 points; +45-50 Even if Dépor catches them, Ponfe has H2H.
------------------------------------
19. Numancia--------50 points; +45-53 Hasta la vista
20. Dépor-----------48 points; +41-59 Even a win over Fuenla in the postponed game won't save Super-Dépor
21. Extremadura------43 points; +43-59 Did the best they could with very little.
22. Racing-----------33 points; +39-56 I've watched Racing in First Division in the Sardinero--happier days in Cantabria

[AlanK]

La Coruna is relegated, together with Numancia.

That makes it easy for Fuenlabrada, they will play an unmotivated and disappointed Depor.

Another sad chapter in Depor's recent history. Giants at the start of this century. Won La Liga in 2000, while in 2004 a 60th minute penalty for Porto deprived them of a Champions league final appearance. Now playing in the third level for the first time since 1981.

Fuenlabrada now only need a draw to clinch a promotion spot. They've had quite a rise since their 1975 formation at the eighth level: now in with a chance of the top flight.

By coincidence I watched Fuenlabrada versus Deportivo reserves on the opening day of the third level Segunda B 2017-18 season. I didn't imagine at that point that Fuenlabrada would be overtaking the first team of Depor (who were in La Liga then.)

Great anecdote, John

[AlanK]

The last matchday of LaLiga2 has produced an incredible "culebrón" ("soap opera") for one and all in LaLiga2 . . .well, for all of those who did not achieve what they hoped to on the fields of play, anyway. All and sundry are screaming about legal action--they are sure that their rights were violated by the failure of the league to suspend the entire Jornada 42--Rayo, whose win got them nothing; Numancia, ditto Rayo; and Dépor, relegated by the results of the games played. On the other hand, Elche couldn't have come out better; Lugo and Albacete avoided the drop . . .
So the playoffs for a spot in First Division were supposed to begin on Thursday, 23 July, with #6 in league standings playing #3 and #5 hosting #4; the second legs were to be Sunday, 26 July. All of this is now up in the air, with no resolution in sight at the moment.
Ain't life grand

Oh, yeah, Elche didn't get what they wanted, Cádiz didn't win the league title . . . Sport.es makes it sound as though a decision by the clubs about making an official "legal" complaint has to be made by 1400 CEST today--that hour has already passed, so maybe some sort of action will be taken soon. Fuenlabrada could be "punished" by being forced to forfeit the game not played. That might make Elche happy, but not Rayo, Numancia, Dépor, or Fuenlabrada. Who knows what evil . . .

[rpo.castro]

Depor in 3rd level.
Super Depor didn't start in 1999/2000. This was a second version and poor of Super Depor from 1990's where they fought for the title several seasons, leading La Liga for long matchdays and facing Barcelona's DreamTeam and Laudrup's and Valdagno Real Madrid

https://www.zerozero.pt/text.php?id=12259

Celta managed to stay in La Liga. Sad day for Depor.