Las Palmas are experiencing a remarkable turnaround under the guidance of Diego Martínez, who has breathed new life into the team. Just a month ago, they were struggling without a win and facing the grim prospect of relegation. However, the arrival of Martínez, a coach known for his attention to detail and charisma, has sparked a revival.
After a recent victory against Rayo Vallecano, where they triumphed 3-1, the players found themselves in a rare moment of relief: for the first time since August, they were no longer in the relegation zone. As they boarded the big yellow bus, filled with Telepizzas and buzzing with excitement, they could be forgiven for sneaking a glance at the league table. It was just past midnight when they left Fofo the Clown Street, heading towards their hotel, with another long journey home awaiting them the next day. The players were likely still processing the whirlwind of events that had led to this moment, but hope was once again alive for UD Las Palmas.
One player, however, was absent from the bus. Manu Fuster had other priorities; his mother was busy helping flood victims at her restaurant in Quart de Poblet, and his brother was waiting outside to take him home. Fuster had made a significant impact in the match, scoring the third goal just two minutes after coming on. “It was very special for everything that’s happened, because it’s my first in primera, and it helped us win,” he reflected before heading to Valencia. “If you’d told us a month ago that we’d be in this position, we would have been in despair. No one would have bet a duro or five pesetas on us, but everything has changed completely.”