Málaga visited Balaídos in their last League match away from home in the 2015/16 season. A difficult match for Vigo, playing for fifth place, plus the added complication of the rain that was present throughout the entire game. The presence of Club President, Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani, along with his sons and Board members, Nasser and Nayef in the VIP box, was another of the images from this trip to Galicia.
The match kicked off to a slow rhythm, that was in crescendo for the 90 minutes. Celta struck first with a goal from Nolito in minute 30, following a wall in the front with Orellana.
During the last stretch of the first half Málaga perked up somewhat, and Recio created two promising opportunities from free kicks that were thwarted by goalkeeper, Rubén and the rival defence. Nolito could have increased the home side’s lead, however Ochoa put on a huge performance and at half-time the score remained 1-0 in the locals’ favour.
In the second 45 minutes of play, the match opened up more, and no sooner had the teams resumed play, Camacho had a great chance to level up the scoreboard. His shot from inside the area was again met by the Celta keeper. The pace of the game increased as the Malaguistas went all out on the attack, leaving dangerous spaces for the rival.
A subsequent one-on-one with Iago Aspas against Ochoa took place, and again the figure of the Mexican keeper emerged, as he adopted a fingertip save to a devilish shot at the target.
Javi Gracia was unable to end the match on the bench as he was sent off for protesting, and was forced to watch the outcome of play from the dressing room.
Málaga didn’t stop in their attempts to equalise, with a very active Atsu. In the final minutes it was Duda who could have secured the tie from a free kick with his magical left foot, but he narrowly missed and the ball grazed the post.
The Blue and Whites, dressed in purple for this game, couldn’t earn points today, but remain in eighth place in the table, keen to end the season well with the last LaLiga match against Las Palmas at La Rosaleda.
