All square for the first match of the New Year at La Rosaleda (2-2)
Málaga CF drew with Real Sporting, at La Rosaleda, on matchday 23 of LaLiga SmartBank. The team rescued a valuable point after trailing by 0-1 and 1-2, with goals from Brandon (penalty) and Ramón, the latter just before the final whistle.
The first match of 2022 at Martiricos featured four changes to José Alberto’s starting-11 compared to last Monday’s winner against Alcorcón. In defence, Juande came on in place of Ismael Casas. Upfront there was a triple change, with the return of Brandon to the starting line-up, plus reserve team players Kevin and Roberto.
Málaga were pumped up and raring to go and soon generated a couple of chances to take the lead, in 8’ and 11’, with shots at goal from Paulino and Kevin. It was precisely the homegrown winger who committed a foul that, following a VAR check, allowed Sporting to take the lead from the penalty spot, the work of Djuka (0-1, 16’). The striker, in 21’, subsequently launched a dangerous shot in minute 21 to the right of the Blue and White goal.
Escassi was shown his fifth yellow card – which carries suspension – shortly before becoming the protagonist inside the area that resulted in a penalty for the locals, after a VAR revision, converted by Brandon Thomas (1-1, 30’). The fifth goal for the Mallorca-born player, MCF’s league ‘pichichi’, who dedicated it to Miguel Ángel, the little boy from Málaga who recently passed away.
Before half-time, Sporting again went in front with a superb goal by Kravets from the left of the area (1-2, 41’).
In the second half, Aleix Febas replaced Juande to become player number 406 to wear the Málaga CF jersey in an official game. Escassi joined Peybernes in central defence whilst Febas formed a double pivot with Ramón.
Víctor Gómez appeared to assist Brandon and Paulino, in 51’ and 54’ in two promising chances to go level. Brandon, in 56’, was unmarked in front of Mariño, but didn’t manage to convert. Then Febas, in 59’, forced the rival keeper to intervene with a good shot from in front of the target.
Another double substitution for the Blue and Whites saw Sekou and Jozabed come on in place of Roberto and Kevin in 61’. Málaga carried the weight of the match, dominated the wide area and made regular approaches to the area. Another winter signing, Álvaro Vadillo debuted in 73’, replacing goal-scorer, Brandon on the left-wing. A minute later, Sekou headed the ball into the hands of Mariño following a good cross from Víctor Gómez.
Djuka, with a stunning shot, nearly had the 1-3 in minute 85. However, straight afterwards, Málaga went level. Ramón, with a beautiful shot from distance, removed the cobwebs from Sporting’s goal (87’, 2-2). The Granada-born midfielder left the pitch for Haitam (88’) to a standing ovation. Jozabed, for protesting, was shown his fifth yellow card of the competition.
With no time for more, the points were shared between both teams, Málaga CF end the matchday in a midtable position, 11th place with 31 points, six away from promotion playoff positions.
