It was all square for Málaga CF and UD Almería with a 1-1 draw at Marbella Football Center. The Blue and Whites went ahead thanks to a superb goal from Jack Harper, however the rival equalised with a penalty. Despite the result the team was orderly and solid in defence.
Muñiz’s men stepped on to the pitch with more impetus and, in the initial stages of play, sent out a warning to Almería. Hicham, in minute 7, narrowly missed out on an early opener as his shot went wide of the target. A few minutes later, Harper didn’t fail, heading in a magnificent cross from Ricca from the left.
Almería’s reaction was immediate and a shot from Rioja, a few minutes later, hit the post. The rival sought out their opportunities in the following minutes of play, however the Blue and Whites’ defence was impregnable. The Malaguistas managed to dominate the game and, again, the goal chances belonged to the Blue and Whites. A promising shot to the baseline from Harper came close to another goal, however Adrián wasn’t able to convert.
At half-time, Málaga CF was settled on the pitch. In the second half the clash continued along the same lines; a Málaga CF safe without the ball and dynamic with it. The entrance of Renato Santos increased the mobility of the Blue and White attack in the initial stages of the second half.
With a good personal display, the Portuguese player had a good chance for glory in 55’, but his shot went slightly off target. The following moments were marked by line-up changes on both sides.
Almería went level in minute 76, when Ian Soler committed a foul on Sekou, who then went on to convert from the penalty spot in front of Munir. In the closing stages equality prevailed and the final result remained a 1-1 draw.
Malaguista coach, Juan Ramón López Muñiz, selected the following players: Munir; Iván Rodríguez (Cifuentes 64'), Luis Hernández (Ian Soler 64'), Diego Glez. (M. Torres 64'), Ricca (Lacen 64'); Mula (Renato 46'), Recio (Juankar 44'), Boulahroud (Iturra 64'), Hicham (Juanpi 64'); Adrián (Antoñín 64') and Harper (En-Nesyri 64').
