Barcelona pulled off a vital win during one of the season’s most challenging phases, battling a relentless injury crisis, an early Copa del Rey exit against Jaén, and a surprising home defeat to Viña Albali Valdepeñas. They achieved this on a difficult stage, the Jorge Garbajosa pavilion in Torrejón de Ardoz, defeating league leaders Movistar Inter with a 3-4 scoreline. Movistar Inter had been unbeaten since November 23, following a 4-3 loss in their previous visit to the city, and had maintained an impressive streak of 10 wins and two draws before Barcelona ended their run.
Run ended
Trailing 2-0 early on, Barcelona staged a remarkable comeback, scoring four unanswered goals before halftime, with Catela and Eric Martel finding the net. Sergio González then took center stage in the second half, netting twice to seal a morale-boosting victory. Barcelona’s coach, Tino Pérez, emphasized the importance of the win, stating, “This victory was crucial to rebuild our confidence. It was a tough battle, and I hope it marks a turning point for us.” The opposing coach from Toledo praised his team’s effort, noting, “The difference was our ability to compete at a high level.”
The win temporarily lifted Barcelona back to second place in the First Division standings, pending the outcome of Peñíscola Servigroup’s match against Noia Portus Apostoli. They now sit six points behind Movistar Inter, who have been dominant this season. This result also improved Barcelona’s 2025 record to five wins and four losses in nine games, though three titles are already out of reach, leaving the Spanish Cup and the League as their primary targets.
Injuries
Injuries have plagued Tino Pérez’s debut season at Barcelona, echoing the struggles of Jesús Velasco’s final campaign. The team missed preseason due to the Uzbekistan World Cup and has rarely fielded a full-strength squad. With the Spanish Super Cup being the only exception. Currently, Barcelona’s injury list includes Erick (pubis injury), Adolfo (muscle injury in the right leg), Pito (thigh injury), Fits (head injury), and captain Sergio Lozano (ankle ligament injury). Amid these challenges, Sergio González’s return from a serious knee injury has been a positive development. After ten months on the sidelines, the winger has made a strong impact, scoring five goals in seven games. His contract, initially set to expire in June, was recently extended until 2027. González expressed his satisfaction, saying, “I’m in a great place right now, both personally and professionally.”
Meanwhile, Elpozo Murcia’s struggles show no signs of easing. Despite the arrival of new coach Josan González, the team has failed to reverse its fortunes, going three months without a league win and exiting both the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa. Their latest setback came in a 2-1 defeat to Quesos El Hidalgo Manzanares, with Daniel Gabriel scoring the decisive goal in the dying moments. Elpozo now sits ninth, outside the playoff spots, with just 24 points from 54.
demanding february
February has proven to be a demanding month for many teams. Since winning the Spanish Super Cup, Jimbee has been eliminated from the Copa del Rey and has struggled in the league, recording two draws and two losses, including a recent 3-2 defeat to Industrias Santa Coloma. Similarly, Jaén Paraíso Interior has faced difficulties, managing only a 3-3 draw against Wanapix Sala Zaragoza. In contrast, Osasuna Magna has found form, securing their third consecutive win with a 0-3 victory over Córdoba World Heritage, climbing to sixth place. The biggest surprise of the month came from ATP Tudelano Ribera Navarra, who delivered a stunning 1-6 win over Viña Albali Valdepeñas following the departure of their coach, Cone, as they await a new appointment.