Denied a point from a Sergio Ruiz goal in 90’ (1-0)
Málaga CF suffered defeat by Granada CF, at the Nuevo Los Cármenes, on matchday 29 of LaLiga SmartBank. A goal from Sergio Ruiz in the closing stages led the local side to victory.
Monday night and the closing of this matchday in front of a capacity crowd at Nuevo Los Cármenes. Among the 20,000 fans, nearly 1,000 Malaguistas travelled to Granada. As usual, the Blue and White supporters came to cheer on their team in a very tough game against an unbeaten side at home.
On the pitch, Pellicer selected the following starting line-up: Rubén Yáñez; Delmás, Ramalho, Burgos, Cristian; Villalba, Escassi, Genaro, Febas; Lago Junior and Rubén Castro.
The locals got off to an impetuous start, generating two clear chances that finished in Rubén Yáñez’s area. The first from Weissman, showing good definition with his left foot yet the ball went wide.
Five minutes later, in 15’ came the best chance of the first half for Paco López’s team. Melendo connected a great pass behind the Malaguista defence. The ball was received by the Red and White number '25' unmarked, who served the ball to the LaLiga SmartBank ‘pichichi’. Uzuni finished from point-blank range a few metres away from Yáñez, but the Blue and White keeper made a highly commendable save to maintain the 0-0 tie.
Málaga, despite not enjoying clear chances during the first half, managed to neutralise the home side’s attack. The result stayed all square at 0-0 at half-time.
There were no changes to the 22 players at the start of the second half. Málaga came out raring to go and, via the transitions of Febas and Lago Junior, approached Raúl Fernández’s area. The Malaguista number ‘7’ was the star of a powerful shot that hit the near post (55') which the Granada goalkeeper successfully cleared.
In 69’, Fran Sol came on for Rubén Castro, whilst Javi Jiménez replaced Cristian.
Pellicer’s side was comfortable on the field of play, finding attacking alternatives, particularly on the right wing. However, in 78', on a cross apparently controlled by Rubén Yáñez, Weissman made the most of the lack of control to shoot from an open position. Yet the ball hit the post.
The scoreboard remained 0-0 until the final stages. Yáñez, with another spectacular save from a Uzuni attempt, avoided the goal in the 85th minute. However, Granada didn’t forgive just before the end of regulation time and Sergio Ruiz scored the winning goal (1-0, 90'). As such, Málaga CF remains eight points away from safety in the category, which is marked by next Sunday's rival, Real Racing Club de Santander.
