Four teams, one dream
Spanish football is at a decisive moment with the arrival of the promotion playoffs to La Liga. Four emblematic teams: Castellón, Almería, Las Palmas and Málaga, are ready to fight for a place in the elite of national football. This weekend, the stadiums will be filled with passion and hope as these clubs seek to fulfil their dreams.
Castellón, who have not set foot in La Liga since 1991, arrives at this stage after a complicated season where they were in relegation positions at the start of the campaign. However, their young squad has proven to be resilient, with standout players like Gerenebarrena, a midfielder on loan from Athletic Club, and forward Alex Calatrava, who will return to Atlético de Madrid after the playoffs.
On the other hand, Almería, who last experienced the top tier in 2024, boasts a powerful forward line led by Sergio Arribas. This Real Madrid academy graduate has been a revelation this season, scoring 25 goals without being a typical centre-forward.
The first leg matches will take place this weekend: Castellón will host Almería at Castalia (sixth against third), while Las Palmas will face Málaga at the Gran Canaria stadium (fifth against fourth). The return matches are scheduled for the following Tuesday and Wednesday. The grand final is set for May 14 and 20.
Throughout the recent history of Spanish football, there have been notable surprises during these final stages. It is often said that the team arriving with the most morale has the advantage; however, it is also true that the third-placed team has met expectations on several occasions. Since 2011, this format has allowed even a team to be promoted without winning any matches if they manage to draw all their games.
Not only the players are protagonists; the coaches also play a crucial role. In this edition of the playoffs, there are two coaches who did not start the season in charge: Pablo Hernández took over Castellón after Johan Plat was dismissed when they were close to relegation to Primera RFEF; while Funes took charge at Málaga when they were in a precarious position in the table.
As this exciting final phase progresses, the fans of these four teams are eager to see how the matches unfold. The pressure is palpable, and every goal can make the difference between continuing to dream or facing another season outside the elite. The football fiesta continues for two more weeks as Racing and Deportivo seek to accompany one of these four teams to La Liga.
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