Retro look, real stakes
Matchday 35 brings vintage kits and a huge opportunity in the tight promotion race
Modern football moves fast like WhatsApp voice notes on x2 but this weekend will have more of a nostalgic, old-school feel. On Sunday, it will be 448 days since UD Almería last topped LaLiga Hypermotion and by the end of Matchday 35 highlighted as a key date for its special ‘retro’ theme, fans could be flicking through the channels to see a table where up to 3 teams might sit at the summit: Deportivo de La Coruña, Racing Santander and UD Almería.
From a retro look to real stakes. In recent months, much has been said about the number of chances Rubi’s side have had to break into the top-2, but less about the fact the Rojiblancos have earned every one of those opportunities on merit. So far, they have not yet gone top of the table, despite spending 26 consecutive Matchdays in the promotion play-off spots, including 4 in second position.
The squad trained behind closed doors on Thursday and will continue preparations in the same manner right up until Sunday, a day that promises to be both historic and significant for the division. Back in the 90s, this would have been close to a unified Matchday in the Segunda, with fewer teams in the league. Now, Matchday 35 is spread across 3 days and instead of waiting for a late-night highlights show, fans can follow every detail live even the expected goals (xG) as the action unfolds.
What the future holds for football and for retro Matchdays like this remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the fans will always remain at the heart of every club.