The ‘Malaguistas’ were aware of the difficulty of the Mestalla ground for Málaga CF, looking back over the years. Camacho was back in the line-up following several months, forming the partnership with Pablo in midfield, as both Recio and Tissone were suspended from tonight’s game.
The first minutes of play were very much tentative, offering the Blue and Whites’ outfit a good opportunity on the left wing, firstly Charles and then Camacho, but neither reached the Valencian goal area.
Things started going downhill for Málaga CF after 18 minutes. Piatti took advantage of a lateral free kick to put the locals in front.
The night wasn’t about to get much better for Málaga CF, as Angeleri caused a shock when he collided with Kameni in an effort to clear the ball to a corner. The Argentinean-born player was taken off on a stretcher and substituted by Albentosa. Angeleri was taken to the Clínica Quirón in Valencia as a precaution.
With the next corner kick the match became an uphill struggle for the visitors, as Andre Gomes made it 2-0 with a shot that found the net at the near post.
The unlucky curse continued for Málaga. After having been awarded a penalty to try and get back in the game, everything went wrong. Duda gave his all from the penalty spot, but goalkeeper, Domenech put paid to the Blue and Whites’ hopes of joining the scoreboard.
The second half continued in much the same vein as Málaga never lost face, however the locals sealed their win with a third goal from a penalty. An excessive punishment from the start tonight for the Blue and Whites, ending with the hope that Málaga CF will break the curse next season.
