Villanovense vs Cacereño

Cobos rang the changes at half-time, sending out a virtually new XI: Diego Nieves; Barea, Martínez, Víctor, Sevila; Gete, Luis Sánchez, Mario Valiente, Iker Bidaurrázaga, Monerris and Iván Fernández. The tactical refresh had an immediate effect.

Cacereño took control of possession and began to circulate the ball with more purpose. The breakthrough came in the 50th minute from a set piece — Luis Sánchez's free-kick found Sevila, whose header beat the Villanovense goalkeeper to make it 0-1. It was a moment of efficiency from a dead-ball situation rather than sustained pressure.

Iván Fernández tested Reina shortly after the hydration break with a shot that the home keeper saved in two stages. He made no mistake in the 78th minute, however: picking the ball up on the right flank, he cut inside, manufactured space and finished calmly into the far post to seal the 0-2 win.

The half-time reshuffle defined the match. Cacereño's first XI struggled to match Villanovense's intensity and created little before the interval. Cobos' decision to introduce an entirely different outfield unit — seven changes in personnel — transformed the dynamic. Cacereño's second-half side pressed higher, kept the ball better and converted two chances that the first XI had not managed to create.

• M. Sevila: Scored the opener with a well-timed header from a free-kick, his height proving decisive from a set piece — Cacereño's most effective route to goal on the night.
• Iván Fernández: Clinical finisher for the second goal, showing composure to fashion space and pick out the far post from the right side.
• Luis Sánchez: Entered the game before half-time and provided the assist for Sevila's opener from the resulting free-kick, adding control in midfield.
• Bidaurrázaga and Valiente: The two youngsters played the full 90 minutes across both XIs, a sign of the trust Cobos places in them during pre-season.

Player of the Match: Iván Fernández — his well-taken 78th-minute goal sealed the points and his overall second-half performance lifted Cacereño's attacking threat.

The 0-2 scoreline flattered Cacereño in terms of control. Villanovense hit the post in the first half and generated the better openings before the break. Cacereño's two goals came from their only sustained periods of dominance — a set piece (50') and a solo effort (78') — rather than through waves of pressure. The game was a tale of two XIs: Villanovense competed evenly with Cacereño's first group but struggled to contain the reshuffled second-half side.

Cacereño made it three pre-season outings without defeat (two draws and this win) and secured their first victory of the summer. They face Santa Amalia on Sunday, 3 August in the Copa Federación at 20:30 CEST — their first competitive fixture of the 2026/27 season.

Villanovense, preparing for the Segunda Federación campaign, play Quintana on Sunday, 3 August at 20:00 CEST in their next friendly.

A useful workout for both sides. Cacereño's strength in depth — particularly the impact of the second-half XI — is an encouraging sign for Cobos, even if the first XI showed there is still work to do. Villanovense, a division below, can take heart from a competitive first hour against higher-level opposition in their first pre-season run-out.