There was a time in this league course in which the defense of Las Palmas was a bargain for any team of so many facilities that he offered behind, perhaps commanding for many days the classification of the most thrashed team in the category. He began to straighten the course when he improved back, a more than decisive circumstance when it comes to understanding the immaculate start of 2021 of the hosts of Pepe Mel, who have consecutively dispatched Espanyol, Mallorca and Leganés.
Against rivals of similar lineage, as much as the one that gives them the fact of having played last season in the First Division, the UD has added nine points, with four goals in favor and just one against, in addition to a foul when Rubén Pardo made it 1-1 for Leganés.
This series of victories against the favorites have relied heavily on the team's defensive gear once those much needed mechanisms have been automated. Continuity is what you have. It so happens that, during those 270 minutes, Mel has been clear about his defensive structure. With Álex Domínguez in goal, the line of four defenders seems to have become the property of Álvaro Lemos, Álex Suárez, Eric Curbelo and Dani Castellano.
It was already known that Sergio Ruiz was untouchable in the center of the field. Once recovered from his injury, he was ready to host Espanyol. “If I were a First Class coach, I would try to sign him,” said Pepe Mel after the victory against Leganés. His performance went from excellent to sublime with Javi Castellano at his side, which allows him to join the attack with all the guarantees he showed when he beat Cuéllar on Sunday from the front of the area after an unstoppable race. For the moment, the double pivot has an owner. Also, for long. In fact, the only one of these seven players replaced by Mel has been Ruiz himself during the game against Espanyol, when Aridai came in for him in the 70th minute, fatigued as he was after several weeks of inactivity.
Pepe Mel himself said a few weeks ago, when the elimination of the Copa del Rey was consummated, that “It doesn't make sense to have a squad of 28 players playing just one competition.” He also insisted that he would “with a group of 14-15 footballers to rotate.” If you are already clear about your starting team, the more you have it from the center of the field to the rear. The lock has been put on by Pepe Mel's seven.