Málaga CF qualified to the Copa de Campeones for the seventh time, the fifth time on the run, having won División de Honor Juvenil Group IV. The Blue and Whites had an excellent regular season in the competitive ‘liga andaluza’ with 72 points, allowing them to reach the final phase of the tournament. The Malaguistas were eliminated by FC Barcelona in the quarter-final clash held in Ciudad Real, where the 17/18 competition is taking place.
From the outset, Málaga CF sought possession of the ball, and didn’t waste any time in marking the pace of play. The Blue and Whites moved fluidly with the ball on the pitch and, little by little, began to arrive at the rival area. The bad news in the early stages involved Chapela who had to be substituted by Mario in minute 13 due to injury.
Mini sent out the clearest warning from the Malaguistas in the first half. In 30’, he didn’t manage to hook the ball clearly inside the area, and his shot went out a few millimetres past the post. The Malaguistas felt very comfortable on the attack and frequented the rival goal.
With verticality on the wings and forcefulness in midfield, the MCF Academy team had a magnificent first half. Even part of the crowd chanted “Málaga, Málaga” in certain sections of the game. Álvaro had to work hard to prevent a shot from in front of the target finding the net, in order to maintain a level scoreboard. The goalkeeper, with a great stretch, sent the ball to the post. At half-time the score remained 0-0.
Shortly into the second half, a harsh setback shook the Malaguista squad. Barça’s Collado made the most of an inaccuracy by the Blue and White defence to put his team in front (0-1, min 48). Despite the blow, David Cabello’s boys steadied their nerves and maintained their dynamic of play.
However, FC Barcelona surprised the Málaga side again with a second goal by Riqui Puig (0-2, min 53). The MCF Academy side tried to continue with their personal script, but the rival goals began to weigh heavy and cooled the pulse of the game.
Finally, Guillem (0-3, min 66) and Alejandro Marqués (0-4, min 77) sealed the 0-4 win and the match came to an end.
Match stats
Málaga CF: Álvaro Fernández; Benítez (Carmelo, 81’), Juande, Yousef, Meléndez; Iván Jaime (Rodri Zalazar, 62’), Mini, Juan Cruz (Rubén, 70’), Hugo; Alberto (Kara, 59’) and Chapela (Mario, 13’).
FC Barcelona: Iñaki; Mate (Arnau, 83’), Mingueza, Chumi, Miranda (Martín, 58’), Jandro (Calavera, 78’), Guillem, Collado (Lucas de Vega, 71’), Alejandro Marqués, Riqui Puig and Edgar (Konrad, 69’).
Goals:
0-1, Collado (min.48)
0-2, Riqui Puig (min.53)
0-3, Guillem (min.66)
0-4, Alejandro Marqués (min.77).
Referee: Alberola Rojas, Antonio from the Castilla La Mancha Committee. The yellow card was shown to Malaguistas; Mini, Yousef and Rodri; and from Barça; Miranda and Collado.
Information: Match corresponding to the quarter-finals of the XXIV Copa de Campeones Juvenil, held at Ciudad Deportiva Sur in Ciudad Real. Approximately a thousand people were in the crowd.