Córdoba aim to stop the rot at Valladolid with a clean sheet target

Córdoba CF arrive calmer after their second win of the season, achieved at Carlos Belmonte in Albacete. Even if the performance and sensations weren’t the best, the 1-2 result gave the blanquiverdes some much-needed serenity heading into the next league fixtures, as Sport reports.

The defensive issue

The main concern remains balance at the back. As Sport highlights, Córdoba are the second worst defence in Segunda this season with 13 goals conceded—only the bottom club (16) have let in more. The same source also points out that in both of the previous campaigns since returning to professional football, Córdoba conceded over 60 goals in the 42 league matches. The implication is clear: if they want to aim higher than survival, those numbers need to drop.

Big chance in José Zorrilla

This Sunday, Córdoba have a rare chance to change their defensive numbers by keeping their goal for the first time without conceding in 2026-27. Their opponent will be Real Valladolid, coached by Fran Escribá, whose job is under scrutiny. Sport notes that club sporting director Víctor Orta said this week that Escribá is not in trouble, but it also suggests that a negative result in the José Zorrilla could end up costing him his position.

What Córdoba will face is a Valladolid struggling to score: Sport says they’ve managed only three goals so far, averaging one goal every 180 minutes, and they are alongside the bottom team among the least prolific. Those three goals have brought them five points (one win and two draws), one less than Córdoba. The article adds that Valladolid’s attacking output has come in a run of late/clustered moments, and one of their goals even came from an own goal.

With the kick-off scheduled for Sunday at 14:00, the match looks crucial for Córdoba: tighten up defensively, secure a first clean sheet, and—according to Sport—turn their back-to-back away trip into a perfect two-game haul.