C.D. Leganés won the LXXIX Edition of the Teresa Herrera Trophy by beating hosts R.C. Deportivo de La Coruña in the final (1-3). Diego García, with a penalty in the first half, and a brace from Avilés in the second half gave the victory to the pepineros, who won the prestigious tournament for the first time.
Leganés reached the final of the tournament after beating Real Oviedo (2-1) in the first semi-final, while Deportivo Deportivo did so after beating Unionistas de Salamanca (5-0) in the second semi-final. With two games in two days, Borja Jiménez, who returned to face the A Coruña side (as did Imanol Idiakez against Los Pepineros), made eight changes to the line-up, with only Juan Soriano, Javi Hernández and Raba starting from Friday.
Diego García, through a penalty on Raba, gave Leganés the lead in the first half.
Leganés started the game well, and in the 12th minute they took the lead thanks to a goal by Diego García, who converted a penalty by Martínez on Raba when the Cantabrian was facing Germán's goal. In the 15th minute, the Pepeños were on the verge of extending their lead, but Roberto López shot narrowly over from a good ball from home-grown Álex Gil. Deportivo responded with a header from a corner by Mfulu, but Juan Soriano pulled off a great save to prevent the equaliser.
In the final stretch of the first half, the most dangerous approach was again for Lega, with Arambarri's shot from a set piece by Roberto López failing to find the target. With 0-1 on the scoreboard, it was 0-1 at half-time.
Mella equalised for Depor, but a brace from Avilés with two assists from Miguel gave the trophy to Lega.
The second half started with Franquesa coming on for Lega. Roberto López had a good chance in the 55th minute to make it 0-2, but it was Deportivo who equalised in the 58th minute through Mella, who beat Juan Soriano one-on-one. The Andalusian goalkeeper intervened again successfully in the 63rd minute to Barbero's header, shortly before Lalo and Avilés entered the game. Álex Gil, in the 70th minute, had another chance for Lega, who were looking for the win.
In the last quarter of an hour, Borja Jiménez brought on Cissé, Brasanac, Juan Cruz and Miguel, and just four minutes later Miguel himself assisted Avilés for the home-grown player to cross for Eric Puerto to make it 1-2 and put Los Pepineros back in front. And just three minutes later, another assist from Miguel for Avilés to finish the game with a quality finish to make it 1-3.
Lega thus won their first Teresa Herrera Trophy, and now close their preparation with their sights set on next Saturday's league opener (19:00) at El Sadar against C.A. Osasuna.
TECHNICAL DETAILS:
R.C. DEPORTIVO: Germán (Eric Puerto 46‘); Ximo Navarro (Iano 80’), Pablo Vázquez, Martínez; José Ángel (Barbero 46‘), Mfulu (Rubén López 73’), Villares (Hugo Rama 73‘); Mella (Luis Chacón 80’), Mario Soriano (Kevin Sánchez 80‘), Davo (Petxarromán 57’); and Lucas Pérez.
C.D. LEGANÉS: Juan Soriano (Abajas 88‘); Rosier, Arambarri, Javi Hernández (Lalo 64’), Leiton (Franquesa 46‘); Guirao (Brasanac 78’), Chicco (Cissé 78‘); Raba (Avilés 64’), Álex Gil (Miguel 78‘), Roberto López (Juan Cruz 78’); and Diego García.
GOALS: 0-1 (12‘) Diego García (p.); 1-1 (58’) Mella; 1-2 (82‘) Avilés; 1-3 (85’) Avilés.
REFEREE: González Díaz (Galician Committee). Yellow cards for Mario Soriano (Deportivo), Álex Gil and Diego García (Leganés).
STADIUM: Abanca-Riazor (A Coruña). 12,108 spectators.
