Málaga CF played AD Mérida this Sunday 5th May, Mother’s Day, on Primera Federación matchday 35. The game was held at La Rosaleda in front of 16,209 fans.
Sergio Pellicer’s starting-11 consisted of A. Herrero; C. Puga, Nelson, Juande, Víctor; Genaro, Ramón, Ferreiro, Dani Lorenzo, Kevin and Dioni.
The Blue and Whites took to the pitch with the firm intention of imposing their gameplay quickly, but the match soon turned into an uphill struggle. Busi for the visitors took advantage of a counterattack to beat Herrero in a one-on-one (0-1, 8').
The goal didn’t discourage the locals who generated two consecutive attacking plays, but without much success. After the 20th minute, Ramón had to be replaced by Larrubia due to discomfort in his right quadriceps. The player left the pitch as a precaution ahead of medical tests to determine his condition.
After several Blue and White approaches, the score remained 0-1 at half-time.
At the start of the second half, Ferreiro came very close to going level. The winger volleyed to the near post, but the rival keeper managed to stop the attempt. Herrero, for his part, created another one-on-one in the 47th minute after a rapid counterattack, yet the keeper once again made a spectacular save.
Málaga CF intensified their attacks and prowled the opponent's area with greater danger. An active Larrubia made two shots in the 48th and 53rd minutes (the latter was cleared with great difficulty by the opposing goalkeeper).
The Blue and Whites’ insistence was finally rewarded in minute 58. Play involving Genaro, Nelson, Dani Lorenzo and Ferreiro culminated in a pass from the winger to Dioni who got the goal. A goal that the team and the fans celebrated with a mixture of joy and anger (1-1, 58').
In the final stages, the locals launched themselves into the attack, bottling up the rival in their area. Antoñito Cordero was close to scoring a direct free kick from the front and the Blue and Whites chained several consecutive corner kicks, but the rival defence didn’t allow the scoreboard to move any further. With three whistles from the referee, the distribution of points was declared.