Andorra is popularly known as “The Country of the Pyrenees.” That phrase has been used as a promotional slogan to attract tourists, and while it fits reality, the principality offers much more—especially for FC Andorra and Albacete.
For visitors, this small nation can be a peaceful escape. For the local team, it’s a place to reach 50 points and secure survival, which is not yet mathematical but feels virtually assured.
For Andorra, however, it’s a land of hope and opportunity. Sitting six points off the playoff spots and riding a four-match winning streak, they refuse to give up on anything—least of all a dream.
The recent turnaround for Andorra can be attributed to several factors, but two stand out by name. First, Josep Cerdà, named MVP of April, whose emergence has been a blessing. Second, Marc Cardona. The striker arrived in winter, suffered an injury, and seemed destined to fade into obscurity at Andorra. But nothing could be further from the truth. In the last two matches—both wins—he found the net, and he was the one to break the deadlock each time. Unsurprisingly, he will start against Albacete, as his coach has hinted.
Coach Manso has warned that reaching the playoffs is nearly impossible, that even picking up 15 points from the remaining games would guarantee nothing, and that Albacete is a tough opponent. This is, after all, part of his job—keeping expectations in check for a team growing by leaps and bounds. He plans to stick with the usual lineup from recent weeks; there’s no need to change anything.
Albacete, on the other hand, arrives for this match with more focus off the pitch than on it. The biggest open question is the renewal—or not—of Alberto González as head coach of Albacete Balompié. As the weeks pass, a deal that seemed straightforward after the club’s Copa del Rey heroics has become stuck.
On the field, Albacete travels to Andorra with a depleted squad, missing key defenders. Pepe Sánchez continues his recovery; his defensive partner Jesús Vallejo has suffered another muscle injury and is being monitored. Higinio Marín, Agus Medina, Víctor Valverde, Antonio Puertas, and Javi Villar also join the list of absentees.
Manso (Andorra coach): “Even 15 out of 15 wouldn’t guarantee us the playoffs.”
Alberto González (Albacete coach): “The renewal is on hold, there’s no progress.”
The visitors will rotate their starting eleven, determined to take points from a ground where they have historically done well in recent seasons. The last five encounters between Andorra and Albacete have ended in away victories—a statistic that breeds optimism during a tough period for González’s side. Last Friday against Eibar, the team suffered another disconnection, eventually being thrashed 0-3 at home.
**Match Info**
Referee: Alonso De Ena Wolf
Stadium: Estadi de la FAF d’Encamp
Television: LaLiga Hypermotion TV
**Table Standings**
**Leaders**
FC Andorra, AND
Albacete Balompié, ALB
**Goals**
Josep Cerdà – 9
Jefté – 10
**Goalkeeper Saves**
Yaakobishvili – 69
Lizoain – 71
**Total Assists**
Dani – 54
Fran Gámez – 51
**Fouls Committed**
Marc Doménech – 43
Alejandro M – 43
