Starting on the right foot in the Liga Adelante

The Liga Adelante has been the scene for various debutants in the division to have a fundamental role and to shine with their good work. Their freshness, desire and enthusiasm have been key factors in ensuring their coaches focused and relied on them.

As goalscorers for their teams two names stand out: Jaime Mata and Manuel Barreiro. The Girona FC striker made his debut in the second tier at 25-years-old. From the first matchday, Pablo Machín bet on the Madrileño and he wasn’t wrong to do so, Mata ended the campaign with 12 goals in the 40 games he played in to help the Catalans finish third and end the season as the red and whites’ second top goalscorer. For his part, D. Alavés top goalscorer was Barreiro. At 28, the Galician was also able to show his good play in the Liga Adelante, scoring 11 goals and helping the blue and whites to achieve survival without any problems.

Mata and Granell, two debutants who have been key parts in the great campaign enjoyed by Girona this season

Part of the Liga Adelante 2014/15 Ideal XI is Álex Granell. He became essential for Machín during his first season in the Liga Adelante, playing in every game of the Liga Adelante season and the play-offs, accumulating 3,762 minutes with Girona. He stood out both for his ability to start the play, being the player with the most passes in his team (1,832) and for his great attacking play, ending the season with five goals. In midfield the great performances of Daniel Ceballos also stood out, as at 18 he made his debut with R. Betis and ended up scoring five goals, and Cristian Portugués 'Portu', who made Albacete B. his own at 22. The Murcian managed to score six goals and became the player to have played most minutes with the Manchegans (2,936).

If we concentrate on the defensive work, there are three debutants who have shone. Jesús Vallejo has become one of the leaders of R. Zaragoza. The academy graduate is at just 18 already the captain of the Zaragoza side, who have had a great season and been the revelation of the division. The young central defender, who has already scored his first goal in the Liga Adelante, deserved his place in the 2014/15 Liga Adelante Ideal XI. Another inclusion in that side was David Simón.

Vallejo at just 18-years-old have been the captain of a Zaragoza side that were on the verge of promotion

The UD Las Palmas full-back has became essential for Francisco Herrera in his first year as a professional, playing 41 matches with the pio-pio and racking up 3,492 minutes. His pace, forward running and participation in the attack, scoring two goals and giving another eight assists were they keys to making his first season in the Liga Adelante stand out. There should also be a special mention to CD Leganés defender Martín Maximiliano Mantovani, who in his first season with the Pepineros was able to stand out for his displays both defensively and offensively, scoring three goals.

Finally to finish off the line-up, Kepa Arrizabalaga has shone in his debut between the posts for SD Ponferradina. At 20-years-old, the young goalkeeper who came from Athletic Club began to have his chance in the side halfway through the season, starting from January. Ponferradina’s number one managed in 1,800 minutes and a total of 57 saves, a great number compared to just the 19 he conceded.

Thanks to their desire to grow and their will to keep improving, the work of these players has stood out and served as an example to many others who haven’t had the same opportunity. This season has been the best learning experience possible for them and soon all of them will return to prepare for a new season with their teams where they will once again show their worth with an extra factor in their favour: experience.