After the goalless draw in the first leg, Reus FC Reddis coach Marc Carrasco ironically stated in the press conference that the team is facing "the umpteenth final" of the season. The Reus coach has even dubbed the second leg of the promotion play-off semi-finals to Primera Federación, this Saturday at six in the afternoon, as "the O Couto final".
Beyond the relaxed tone of the statements, the duel in Galicia will mark the immediate destiny of the red-and-blacks: either the end of a historic season or a new step towards the dream of promotion. The challenge will be immense also due to the context. The Reus team will have to fight for qualification 976 kilometers from home, on the longest away trip in the club's history, a fact that symbolizes the exponential growth of the project in recent years.
The tie is completely open after a very evenly matched first leg at the Estadi Municipal. Reus had the clearest chances, but were thwarted by the performance of Ourense's Galician goalkeeper Bruno Rielo, who was decisive in keeping the 0-0 scoreline. The home team also claimed a penalty on Ramon Folch that the referee did not award.
Beyond the result, the Reus coaching staff draws positive conclusions from the first leg. The intense pressure from the red-and-blacks notably unsettled Ourense, who are accustomed to building play comfortably from the back. One of the few visiting players capable of overcoming this scenario was midfielder Pablo Parrilla, who displayed quality and vision to activate the Galician team's offensive transitions.
Another key to the second leg will be the performance of Reus's three-man central defense, which is in great form after keeping three clean sheets. Pol Fernández has stood out for his ability to drive forward and make long passes, while Andy Alarcón brings speed and strength to the right flank of the defense. As for Lluís Recasens, his defensive reading and anticipation were decisive in neutralizing the Galician attack, which generated practically no danger on the goal defended by Dani Parra.
Despite the defensive solidity, the Reus players know that resisting will not be enough. Reus is obliged to win: any draw or defeat would mean elimination. However, the offensive arguments invite optimism. Ricardo Vaz arrives at the decisive stage of the season in his best footballing moment, while Kenneth Soler continues to provide verticality and imbalance from the right wing.
The great news for Reus could be the recovery of Miquel Ustrell. The 24-year-old player, who joined from Sabadell, has traveled with the squad and could get minutes after the shoulder injury that forced him to leave the first leg match in the 32nd minute following a spectacular fall.
Like all matches of the season, the initiative of Reusdigital.cat, LANOVA Ràdio de Reus, and Plataforma Sempre Reus 1909 will offer live coverage of the match. The broadcast will feature narration from the LANOVA Ràdio de Reus studios by Nill Llambrich and Sergi Escolà, as well as the presence of Joan Gomis. To follow everything happening at the O Couto Stadium in real-time, journalist Andreu Rauet will provide live connections from the Galician city.
