Defeat for Málaga CF against Real Oviedo, at La Rosaleda Stadium, on matchday 26 of LaLiga SmartBank. A goal from Manu Vallejo in the second half gave a win to the Asturian rival.
It was a chilly night at Martiricos, but with a good crowd in the stands. On the pitch, Pellicer who re-debuted in the ‘Joaquín Peiró’ dugout, made two changes in relation to the last match in Gijón. Febas and Rubén Castro replaced suspended N’Diaye and Álex Gallar.
The first 15 minutes was marked by back and forth between both sides. In 14’, following an action by Lago Junior, Rubén Castro launched Málaga’s first shot at goal. The Ivory Coast-born winger constantly kept the rival defence on their toes with his twists and dribbles.
The visitors' first dangerous arrival took place in 25', with a shot that grazed Viti's crossbar. Álvaro Cervera's men executed the coach’s usual gameplan, based on a strong defence awaiting a rapid transition. Then in minute 40, former Malaguista Borja Bastón forced Yáñez to intervene, who avoided the visitors taking a 0-1 lead with a great save.
Then in the second half, in 53’, Oviedo’s Abel Bretones again tested Rubén Yáñez’s reflexes. Pellicer made some changes, bringing on Loren and Fran Villalba for Febas and Fran Sol (57’). A minute later, a Manu Vallejo header put Oviedo in front (0-1, 58’). In addition, the referee sent off Esteban Burgos for protesting, leaving Málaga with 10 men.
Two consecutive blows for the Blue and Whites, against a Real Oviedo side that gained more possession of the ball in defence. In 74', Pellicer made a second double substitution: Ramón and Cristian came on for Javi Jiménez and Jozabed.
Luismi, with a header coming from a corner, generated a second opportunity for Cervera’s men in 78'. Again Yáñez, with a stunning save, prevented the 0-2 lead in the 85th minute after another dangerous corner from the Asturians. Gallar, in that minute, came on for Bustinza in the last ultra-attacking Malaguista substitution.
The scoreboard didn’t move again, and Málaga CF suffered a 0-1 defeat, following 26 LaLiga SmartBank matches, four points away from safety.
