Córdoba has a serious problem in defense. The central position gives many headaches to Iván Ania’s coaches. In particular, Martínez’s situation that he cannot overcome his physical problems and cannot complete 90 minutes of a match. Between injuries and sanctions, his role in Cordoba is residual although he is one of the most experienced players in the green and white team.
Martínez arrived during the last winter market to replace Gudelj, who had to withdraw from the playing fields due to heart problems. At 30, he arrived from Dallas, in the United States. But He went four months without competing until he landed in Córdoba, where he found Antonio Fernández Monterrubio, from his previous stop in Granada. He arrived to help Córdoba in its path to the Second Division, which it eventually achieved, but his participation was residual in the team led by Iván Ania.
In 32 league matches between the First Federation and the promotion play-offs, Martínez only featured in eight. AND only out of three managed to complete the 90 minutes. After a few initial weeks of preparation, Martínez made his debut for Córdoba on February 11, coming off the bench against Atlético de Madrid B. His first start came two weeks later against Melilla, but he limped off midway through the match. -time and was replaced by Mati. After that he was injured for more than a month, without being called to Córdoba.
He had already started in April against Real Madrid Castilla and had to be replaced again due to injury after the 60th minute. His best moment came during the month of April, with three consecutive matches as a starter and with 90 minutes in his legs. He was injured again during the match against Recreativo Granada, towards the end of the match. The following week, he returned to El Arcángel against Atlético Sanluqueño and could only play 45 minutes. He had no more minutes for the rest of the season in the First Federation.
7 matches this season
The club has decided to continue betting on him (he has a contract until June 2025), but the feelings have not changed in the Second Division either. Córdoba has played 17 matches this season in professional football. He only participated in seven and he only completed the 90 minutes once, against Burgos on matchday two. With a full pre-season, an immediate performance was expected from the central defender. In his debut against Mirandés, he was substituted in the second half.
Against Huesca, he entered the field in the second half and received a red card in injury time. He barely had a few minutes during the visit to Albacete and with Cartagena at home he was again substituted at half-time after starting. Continuing muscular problems do not allow him to finish a game. And he was injured in his last two matches, against Eldense at home and with Almería last Tuesday. However, Iván Ania assured that he is available for Gijón even if his physical condition remains a mystery for the club’s medical staff.
Iván Ania highlighted about Martínez that “there are several occasions where he starts as a starter and we have to change him, they are doing tests on him, it is something abnormal in football. Sometimes it can may be due to fatigue, but by the 60th minute this fatigue does not usually appear. The doctors are on itthey insist. For us as coaches it’s a mess to have to change a central defender which is normally not common unless it’s something tactical or he has a card. “We have to do this several times and I hope we find a solution to this problem soon.”
He is one of the most experienced players in Blanquiverde’s squad, which does not have many experienced players in professional football. Martínez has two promotions to second and one to first. He played for Atlético de Sevilla, Barcelona B, Granada and Eibar in Spain until in 2021 he left for Dallas in the United States. With Nasrid painting, He gained experience in the highest category. In his record, he has more than 50 matches in the silver category and almost 1,200 minutes in the First Division over 20 matches. A more than notable baggage for the central defender who fails to get noticed in Cordoba.
