13.02.2010 - 31/01/2010 - CD Tenerife 1:3 Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza despite transfer rumours had held onto their English, ex-Arsenal and Liverpool player Jermaine Pennant. It is a rare sight to see a British player plying his trade on the Heliodoro turf, the last one being Michael Owen playing for Real Madrid in a Cup tie back in 2004. Tenerife supporters had been waiting with baited breath for new blood to be brought in for the rest of the campaign. Recent results had set alarm bells ringing and it was thought that at least two or three signings would be made. But as the transfer deadline passed without a single fresh face for the squad, fans and local media alike were asking, why not? The answer came from a now under duress President Miguel Concepción that there was no money available whatsoever as the tax authorities had blocked all CD Tenerife’s TV money for the season. A staggering €15 million had been embargoed and this in some way had explained the lack of signings since last year’s promotion.

In a cagey opening, the only real action of note was a yellow card for Zaragoza’s Carlos Diogo.  Alfaro tried his luck for the blanquiazules with an 11th-minute header but he was off target and a flurry of corners by Tenerife caused problems for Zaragoza. Pablo Sicilia got on the end of it and was unlucky to see his header blocked on the line by Contini.  Tenerife grabbed the goal they craved three minutes after the break and it was Juanlu Hens on target. Sicilia swung in the cross from the left channel and Juanlu tucked his shot into the bottom corner from close range.

Tenerife were in control and as the sun chased the storm clouds away temporarily, life was good. But this was not to last. Zaragoza managed to equalise and it was substitute Arizmendi who earned it.

The striker was upended in the penalty area by Ezequiel Luna, who was booked for his challenge, and Suazo placed his spot-kick into the bottom left corner. And, having created next to nothing in the opening 76 minutes, Zaragoza then made it two goals in three minutes.  Suazo played in Colunga and the substitute produced a brilliant lob over Aragoneses.

Suazo was suddenly running the show and he was involved in the third goal for Zaragoza in the 83rd minute, although it was really all about Lafita, who powered a shot from 30 yards into the top corner. 

A stunning goal. The 1-3 reversal for Tenerife hurt. It was Zaragoza’s first away victory of the season and first win in 10 matches. The win took them above the blanquiazules on the head-to-head goal difference rule used in Spain.

07/02/2010 - Osasuna 1:0 CD Tenerife
Los Rojillos (The little ones) have always been Tenerife’s bogey team (in fact everyone is Tenerife’s bogey team at the moment) and that run continued at a packed Reyno de Navarra Stadium. Osasuna continued their climb up the table with a slender 1-0 victory. The win saw Jose Antonio Camacho’s side secure a fourth straight victory for the first time since 2006 following successes against Espanyol, Xerez and Villarreal in recent weeks. It was a typical away Tenerife performance where they play well in parts, even dominate matches but lack that killer punch. Although the defence has improved recently they are always likely to concede at least one goal. The blanquiazules have now picked up just three points from their last eight games and they remain without an away win since winning promotion last season.

Former Birmingham striker Walter Pandiani fired wide when well-placed and Camuñas then forced a magnificent save from Sergio Aragoneses in the Tenerife goal as his powerful shot from 25 yards threatened to fly inside the keeper’s right-hand post. Tenerife finally found some composure and they forced Osasuna keeper Ricardo Lopez into his first meaningful save of the contest thanks to Alejandro Alfaro’s shot. Left-back Monreal was causing the visitors huge problems with his purposeful surges down the flank, and another burst saw him set up Aranda but Aragoneses produced a superb save to keep the game goalless.  Mikel Alonso drilled wide for Tenerife and they almost took a 31st-minute lead through Ricardo. The influential midfielder got away a fierce drive from just inside the box, but Ricardo was once again able to tip the ball to safety.

The second half started disastrously for Tenerife when Camuñas’ pass from the right flank found Aranda in space who kept his cool to beat Aragoneses.  Tenerife looked to hit back quickly as Alonso fired a free-kick just wide and Ricardo got away a shot from outside the area which went wide of the left-hand post.  Tenerife rarely threatened to find an equaliser but Nino could have salvaged a point for them with just two minutes to play but he missed the target with just Ricardo Lopez to beat.  Next Monday evening at 8pm, 15th February, CD Tenerife are at home to Real Mallorca who lie in a Champions League fourth place berth at the moment. Most fans are still behind the manager and team but it is likely that they will vent their anger on the President Miguel Concepción. A mass waving of the white hankies was planned by fan clubs who are also unhappy about having been made to play on a Monday evening by the Spanish F.A. due to the new TV deal.
By Chris Todd



This article appears in the print edition 610 of Island Connections

Gallery: Worrying times for CD Tenerife

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