Deportivo seal 4-0 preseason win over SD Compostela in Madrid-friendly opener
Deportivo sealed a 4-0 Deportivo preseason win over SD Compostela, with Gijselhart, Eddahchouri (2) and Kevin on the scoresheet as Jensen made a first appearance and several new faces stood out.
Match summary: Deportivo dominate slow-paced opener
The match served as Deportivo’s first preseason outing as the squad ramps up ahead of the new campaign. The game was played at a controlled pace and featured numerous tactical trials as manager Antonio Hidalgo rotated heavily to test options.
Deportivo took the lead through a composed finish by Gijselhart after a Luismi delivery, and extended the advantage in the second half with two strikes from Eddahchouri and a late finish from Kevin. Compostela created limited clear-cut chances and struggled to match the visitors’ cutting edge on the day.
The fixture doubled as an opportunity to assess fitness levels and integrate summer recruits, with Hidalgo deploying different lineups across each half to give minutes to regulars and newcomers alike.
Goals and decisive moments that shaped the 4-0 scoreline
Deportivo opened the scoring when Luismi’s cross found Gijselhart, who headed home from close range to make it 1-0. That opener set the tone for the first half and delivered the confidence the visitors needed to control possession.
Eddahchouri produced the match’s standout personal sequence in the second half, first weaving past his marker to slot the second and later completing his brace with an acrobatic scissors finish from a Samu service. Both goals showcased individual technique and an eye for goal.
Kevin wrapped up the scoring deep into stoppage time, finishing a move that began from the right and was capped by a precise Quagliata cross. The late strike confirmed Deportivo’s superiority and provided a clean sheet for goalkeeper Leo Román.
Compostela’s moments were sporadic; the home side held on to a few spells of possession but ultimately lacked the cohesion and finishing required to trouble Deportivo regularly.
Individual performances: Gijselhart, Eddahchouri and promising debuts
Gijselhart produced a composed display, combining smart positional play with an accurate finish for his goal. His movement proved valuable in disrupting Compostela’s defensive shape and offered a focal point for several attacking moves.
Eddahchouri finished with a brace and high involvement in the final third, illustrating both close control and finishing variety. His second-half volley was a clear demonstration of technique and timing that will please the coaching staff.
Newcomer Jensen, a recruit arriving from Bayern Munich, made his debut in the second half and showed glimpses of the quality that justified his signing. The coaching team will be encouraged by his ability to settle into the tempo of the match despite limited minutes.
Left-back Xabi Campos, promoted from the club’s B team, drew positive comments for his defensive work and link play with the midfield. His understanding with Luismi produced the opening goal and hinted at depth in the left flank.
Tactical approach and rotation under Antonio Hidalgo
Antonio Hidalgo used the fixture to run several tactical experiments, starting with a mixed XI that blended established players with academy prospects. The manager’s decision to change the entire lineup at halftime was deliberate, aimed at accelerating assessment across the squad.
In the first half Deportivo favored measured buildup through the wide areas, often using Luismi’s deliveries to create aerial chances. The second-half shift introduced players with different skill sets, allowing Hidalgo to test transitions and attacking combinations with more direct intent.
Defensively Deportivo displayed compactness, switching effectively between a midblock and more ambitious high-press moments when seeking to force turnovers. The clean sheet will be viewed positively as the coaching staff continues to balance match intensity with preseason conditioning.
Hidalgo’s rotation pattern suggested a clear hierarchy of options but also signalled that fringe players will receive meaningful minutes in competitive contexts if they maintain form and fitness.
Compostela’s selection, tribute and matchday context
Carlos de Lerma’s Compostela side fielded a mixture of regulars and substitutes, with Eduardo Sousa in goal and a backline that included Hermo and Miguel Prado. The home team also used the match to give game time to a wide set of players, reflecting their own preseason priorities.
The fixture included a formal tribute to Compostela captain Samu Rodríguez, an emotional moment that underscored the local significance of the friendly. Such ceremonies can affect match tempo, and both sides treated the game as an occasion to honour club identity as well as to prepare on the pitch.
Compostela’s attack featured Buba and Manu Rivas in positions where they sought to test Deportivo’s defense, but the final third lacked clinical execution. The balance between home-side sentiment and competitive demand made for a subdued tempo across large stretches of the 90 minutes.
Takeaways for Deportivo’s preseason planning and next steps
The victory gave Deportivo clear positives: clinical finishing from multiple scorers, effective use of squad depth, and a clean sheet to build on. Individual displays from signings and academy graduates will feed into training plans ahead of more intense friendlies and the competitive season.
Match fitness remains a central focus, and the coaching staff will use the performance data to calibrate minutes for returning internationals and new arrivals. Tactical continuity will be tested further as Deportivo schedules tougher opponents to simulate the competitive pressures of the campaign.
The club can also use this clean sheet and attacking variety as a foundation when integrating further signings and finalizing a preferred starting XI. Hidalgo’s willingness to alternate systems and personnel suggests a flexible approach that prioritizes adaptability across competitions.
The next fixtures will indicate whether the attacking combinations seen here can be consistently replicated against higher-quality opposition and under greater match intensity.
Deportivo’s 4-0 preseason win over SD Compostela offered both a confidence boost and a constructive evaluation platform as the club steps closer to the competitive season, with several players staking early claims for regular roles.
