Álvaro Cervera has given Cádiz an identity in the five years he has led the team yellow. The coach makes the most of his players, even when they do not play in his preferred position, either by choice of the technician or to cover a loss as a patch measure. The results are in sight and it is that the team of the Silver Cup achieved virtual permanence after its victory in Granada and tomorrow against Huesca it can finalize the mathematical permanence.
Cervera's positional changes go beyond the movements of simple pieces. The season began with surprise in the initial scheme. Cervera, a lover of 4-2-3-1, with whom he was promoted to First Division, varied his idea to change to 4-4-2. The arrival of Negredo and the good moment with which Lozano ended last season, led to this variation. The first thing it caused was that the figure of the playmaker was lost original, place where Alex had been playing. On the other hand, it should be said that José Mari is non-negotiable in this team and his participation is capital; and if we add to this the irruption of Jonsson in the medullary, there is only one possible relocation of Álex. What for many could be a headache, was not for Cervera. Álex has played a large part of the season entering the wing. The Madrilenian needed a period of adaptation, but he soon found himself involved in the game. This season he has scored four goals and provided an assist.
Another of the key position changes this season was that of Fali, from central to midfielder. What at first seemed like a patch, became another success for Cervera. José Mari's injuries caused this variation and the Valencian even played ahead of some midfielders. It all started against Getafe, in the first round and from there he linked several games in that position in which his level was very high. With the return of José Mari, Fali returned to his place in the center of the rear where he is indispensable.
Maybe it is on the left side where Cervera has encountered the most problems this season. First because Espino is unrivaled in this area. The Uruguayan is the outfield player with the most minutes played, as well as being the team's top assistant. To this we must add that his natural replacement is Quezada, who continues to recover from his injury. Well, when the winger was absent, Cervera had to think about moves. The first decision he made was to place Jairo in that place. The canary responded as a patch and he even appeared at the rival goal, scoring the goal of the yellow's defeat against Real Sociedad, in the second round match.
Finally, but without leaving the left-back position, it is worth highlighting the role of Akapo in the last two games. Again, the loss of Espino, this time due to the accumulation of yellows, was not a problem for Cervera. Against Valladolid, the previous day, the Guinean already had a few minutes in that band to prove himself and it was fundamental. In the 90th minute he rejected a shot from Sergi Guardiola to avoid the defeat of the yellow team. Against Granada he repeated on the left-handed side, and again showed a high level. The umpteenth triumph of the chess player Cervera.