FC Andorra Resumes Training After Break, Eyes Ceuta Clash

FC Andorra resumed training at Estadi Comunal yesterday after a Christmas break, gearing up for their first official match of 2026 against Ceuta on Sunday at 4:15 p.m.

The squad returned to action following their final game of 2025, a home win over Deportivo de la Coruña in Encamp. With the league on pause for a week, the Tricolors used the session to regain competitive rhythm ahead of the January 4 clash. All available players participated except goalkeeper Jesús Owono, who remains with Equatorial Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. His team plays its last group-stage fixture on December 31.

Imanol García and Martín Merquelanz, in the final stages of injury recovery, stayed apart from the group but are due to rejoin soon.

The midday workout marked the start of a new training cycle, with the team now midway in the Segunda División table—six points from the play-offs and three above the drop zone. This position follows a dramatic 2025 season under owner Gerard Piqué, likened by observers to Dante's Divine Comedy.

The campaign began strongly in "Paradise," with a club-record seven points from the first three league games, including draws at Las Palmas and Zaragoza, plus a home win over Burgos. Early highlights continued with a draw at Mirandés and victories against Córdoba and Racing Santander, briefly placing Andorra third.

A home loss to Leganés dropped them to "Purgatory," exposing areas for improvement. Form then worsened with a heavy defeat at Real Sociedad, a draw against Granada, and a poor showing at Málaga, leading to an eight-game winless streak capped by losses to Albacete and Castellón in Encamp. That slump saw coach Ibai Gómez offer his resignation, which the club accepted the next day.

An interim trio of Aitor Yeto, Daniel Ortiz, and Carles Manso—supported by Piqué and sporting director Jaume Nogués—took charge. They steadied the ship with a near-win at Sporting Gijón, though cup and league losses to opponents including Almería followed. Relief came with away success at Valladolid and the Encamp triumph over Deportivo, lifting spirits into the break.