Málaga CF and CF Intercity met this Tuesday 2nd January on Primera Federación matchday 18. The match was held at Estadio Municipal de Los Arcos, in Orihuela, due to the replanting work on the Estadio Antonio Solana pitch, the home of the Alicante team. Around 200 Malaguistas gave their all cheering on their team on this cold night.
As for the game, both teams divided possession in the wide area of the pitch. The Blue and Whites (A.Herrero; Jokin, Murillo, Einar, Dani Sánchez; Izan M., Dani Lorenzo, Sangalli, Larrubia, Kevin and Roberto) tried to surprise early, with a play that ended in a shot by Jokin Gabilondo from the edge of the area in 5’, yet his shot went over the crossbar.
After the first quarter of an hour, Jokin sent an accurate cross from the right setting up a powerful header for Roberto that once again went high.
In the 20th minute of play, a cascade of chances came for the home side. Alfonso Herrero made an impressive save with his foot in a one-on-one against a rival attacker. The subsequent corner ended with a local shot from point-blank range that the goalkeeper again saved with a superb stretch. However, in the 22nd minute he wasn’t able to prevent Intercity's goal. Attacker Nsue once again stood unmarked in front of the goalkeeper and, this time, beat him to make it 1-0.
The Blue and Whites continued in search of the goal; Roberto once again was a main feature. The number ‘19’ sought to surprise from the front with a powerful and well-placed shot that went over the top in the 27th minute. Minutes later, Dani Lorenzo served up a low ball at the penalty spot, yet the intervention of a local defender prevented the tie. With the score at 1-0 the game reached half-time.
Sergio Pellicer made two changes in the second half, bringing on Víctor García for Dani Sánchez and Aaron Ochoa for Murillo.
Kevin came close to scoring in the 46th minute. The winger tried his luck from the corner of the area with great intention, but the rival goalkeeper guessed right and saved the attempt without a problem.
Pellicer's men advanced positions and tried to frequent the opponent's goal with greater intensity. Their insistence was rewarded in the 54th minute. Larrubia shot and Manu Herrera cleared, whilst Roberto was ready and rescued the lost ball to make it 1-1.
However, the tie didn’t last long. Soldevila made it 2-1 in the 57th minute in a quick counterattack against the locals.
Pellicer once again made some changes in minute 68, bringing on Manu Molina and Juanpe for Kevin and Sangalli.
Cordero grazed the crossbar of the opponent's goal in the 77th minute with a precise and powerful direct free kick. The shot, from a somewhat cornered position, was just millimetres wide of the net.
In the final stretch, Málaga looked for an equaliser against a more withdrawn Intercity. In stoppage time, after a counterattack, Moha had a one-on-one that was stopped once again by Alfonso. The score remained 2-1 until the Blue and Whites equalised in minute 94.
Juanpe crossed into the area and, after several rebounds, Dani Lorenzo struck from the edge of the area, adjusting the ball to the post. Manu Herrera wasn’t able to stop the Malaguista midfielder's attack and the score went up to 2-2 in Los Arcos.
The match ended with a 2-2 draw. Málaga CF's next Primera Federación match will be against AD Ceuta on Sunday 14th January. Before that, this Sunday they will play the Copa del Rey round of 32 clash at La Rosaleda against Real Sociedad.