Recreativo: The trailblazers making a comeback
Spain's oldest team is back in the third tier of Spanish football and faces Castellón this weekend.
It’s been a rough few years for Recreativo de Huelva, stuck in the lower divisions after spending much of their history in the second and even first division of Spanish football. The team from Andalucia is Spain’s most historic, founded in 1889 by workers in the Rio Tinto mines, but had fallen as far as the fifth tier in 2021 due to the restructuring of Spain’s lower leagues.
The comeback is on, however, after obtaining promotion from the fourth tier last year, and the fans are optimistic that the club can regain its former glory as early as this season in the Primera RFEF. The first real marquee matchup of the season for them comes against CD Castellón this weekend, in what should be an attractive fixture even for neutrals.
The Albinegres travel to the Nuevo Colombino hoping to get back to winning ways in the second of two back-to-back away games, after being held to a 1-1 draw by Antequera last time out. Recreativo has been on an interesting run to start the season, conceding only one goal in four games and notching up a surprising three consecutive 0-0 draws. Their results leave them ninth in the table with the joint-best defensive record in the league, which will be a challenge for Castellón to break down.
The visitors are still without Cristian, who is injured, and center-back Alberto will also miss out for the same reason. A decision on Jeremy will be made today, however, Dick Schreuder confirmed that new signing Julio Gracia would be in the squad for the first time. Fellow new signing Moyita was the standout player for Castellón last time out, and there’s every chance he could find himself in the starting lineup after his great performance off the bench against Antequera.
The home side boasts forward Caye Quintana, signed from Polish side Slask Wroclaw this summer, and also Panamanian international midfielder Josiel Núñez, who has contributed one goal already this season.
Dick Schreuder was confident of his side being in better conditions this time around, mentioning the condition of the pitch as a factor, but also stating that he had a plan A and a plan B, and that he was not afraid to make adjustments as needed during the game.
Despite the long journey, a number of Castellón fans should be in attendance to help the team bring back the three points and get back to winning ways before returning to Castalia next week against Mérida.