Piqué Leads Snow Clearance for FC Andorra's Dramatic 1-1 Draw

Heavy snowfall forced FC Andorra owner Gerard Piqué and over 100 fans and staff to clear nearly 2,000 tonnes of snow from Nou Estadi de la FAF in Encamp on Saturday, allowing their LaLiga Hypermotion match against Cultural Leonesa to proceed despite storm Goretti. The eight-hour effort with shovels, brooms and machines shifted kick-off to 18:30, two hours late.

LaLiga had sought suspension via the Real Federación Española de Fútbol's delegate due to the natural grass pitch, but a morning meeting with both teams and referee Saúl Ais Reig's officials greenlit play if safety was ensured. This avoided a Sunday postponement, clashing with Cultural's Tuesday Copa del Rey clash against Athletic Club and a 17:00 flight from Barcelona. Piqué's social media call to action rallied locals, including Alba and teenagers Nil and Ramon, who used club tools. Helpers received free tickets, with 20 workers refining the surface as 1,100 spectators watched.

Andorra controlled 72% possession and generated 1.29 expected goals to Cultural's 0.58, yet trailed 1-0 at half-time after Luis Chacón finished a Thiago Ojeda cross past Áaron Yaakobishvili in the 14th minute. Coach Carles Manso adjusted at the break, substituting Marc Doménech, Aingeru Olabarrieta and Josep Cerdà for Álvaro Martín, Minsu Kim and Manu Nieto. Cerdà equalised in the 57th or 58th minute with a volley from a Thomas Carrique or Olabarrieta rebound, then pressured the defence relentlessly. Andorra hit the post twice through Lautaro de León and Dani Villahermosa, but Édgar Badia held firm. Late penalty claims for Cerdà were waved away, securing a 1-1 draw.

Both sides stayed on 25 points, mid-table and safe from relegation in a congested standings. It hit the halfway mark for Andorra: six wins, seven draws, eight losses, 23 goals for and 29 against—improved from 23 points at this stage last season, though short of 29 from their 2022-23 bow. Around 48-49 points typically ensures survival.

Manso expressed disappointment at dropping points but praised the second-half push. "With this style and attacking volume, we're convinced the second half of the season will be better," he said. Cerdà, breaking through after sparse minutes, noted personal satisfaction but team-wide frustration. Manso thanked fans: "It was an example. We had to win for them today."

Tunnel scuffles post-match saw Manso and Cultural coach José Ángel Ziganda yellow-carded for words exchanged without insults. Physio Pere Tarradellas received a red for dubbing Ziganda "a clown," facing at least a one-match ban.

Ahead lies Tuesday's Copa Catalunya quarter-final away to fourth-placed Europa at Nou Sardenya (20:00). Manso plans rotation for lesser-used players, protecting those from the Leonesa game. Cerdà is set to start again after impressing, while debutant Yeray Cabanzón—on loan from Racing Santander—will feature for his long-range passing and finishing threat. New arrival Edgar González remains sidelined by muscular discomfort. Europa, coached by Aday Benítez, lead Primera RFEF Group 2 with one loss in eight, boasting leaders like the Cano brothers, Òscar Vacas, Adnane Ghailan and Julián Mahicas. Manso anticipates a "compact, direct and combinative" outfit spurred by passionate home support on artificial turf—a surface Andorra know from recent Estadi Nacional sessions.

"It's a good moment to give chances to those with fewer minutes," Manso said, stressing the competition's value. Andorra, with titles in 1994, 2023 and 2024, match Europa's haul (1997, 1998, 2015). "The squad isn't closed," he added, eyeing market moves but needing an exit to register winter signings amid a full roster. The tie could sharpen preparations for Sunday's key league clash with Mirandés (14:00).