Ibizan football will always remember 2021, the year in which UD Ibiza achieved promotion to LaLiga SmartBank. Never a team from the Pitiusas had reached such a high level, reaching professional football for the first time. The celestial began the year in Second B, but they finish it in the silver category, in which they fight not to descend. The challenge is to gradually consolidate in the Second Division, to one day try to make the leap to LaLiga Santander. With prudence, but with ambition.
In 2015, Amadeo Salvo rescued UD Ibiza from oblivion. The club’s career began in Preferred Regional, to go up categories until reaching Second in May 2021. It was on the 23rd of that month, in Badajoz and at the Nuevo Vivero stadium. The island block, trained by Juan Carlos Carcedo, culminated a season to frame. The Balearic Islands defeated UCAM Murcia. It was by the minimum, with a goal from a controversial penalty that transformed June, but it was worth a jackpot that the fans of UD Ibiza now enjoy.
The next historic moment for UD Ibiza already arrived with the debut in LaLiga SmartBank. A dream moment that came true. It was on August 13 and at the La Romareda stadium. Ibiza faced Zaragoza and scored their first point in the category, by drawing zero with the Aragonese. The initial trajectory of those of Carcedo was very remarkable. They were the first seven days scoring and without losing. In fact, they were the last championship team to be defeated. What’s more, his first victory in the Second Division was immediate, as it came on the third day. The islanders won in Butarque, where they beat Leganés 1-2.
From the lights to the shadows, since Ibiza conceded three consecutive defeats. It was the first crisis of those of Carcedo, who rallied to score points in the next five rounds (with three wins and two draws). But the final stretch of the year has not been the desired one, with six consecutive games without knowing the victory. A bad streak that ended with the dismissal of Carcedo, coach who led the club to glory and left it out of the relegation places. The Ibiza is right now as the second best of the recently promoted, only surpassed by the Burgos. The La Rioja coach leaves an indelible memory.
The club moved quickly and hired Paco Jémez as coach, who will be the one who directs the celestial boat in the second round of the championship. The first acid test will be this Sunday, when Ibiza will visit the Fuenlabrada field, a direct rival for permanence. Those responsible for the club are looking for a rudder, as well as “character and personality”, explained to the newspaper AS Fernando Soriano, sports director of UD Ibiza. But also results to achieve the objectives set.