Málaga CF and Albacete Balompié faced off on LaLiga Hypermotion matchday 31 at the Carlos Belmonte Stadium. Nearly 500 Blue and White supporters were present to cheer on the team from the stands. On the pitch, Pellicer made some changes and fielded the following line-up: Alfonso Herrero; Carlos Puga, Nelson Monte, Pastor, Dani Sánchez; Antoñito Cordero, Luismi, Izan Moreno, Yanis Rahmani; Lobete and Dioni started the match.
The game began with a goal from the home team. In the 3rd minute, Agus Medina delivered a cross from the left wing for Kofane, who finished inside the box to put Albacete ahead 1-0.
Málaga sought the equaliser and forced several corner kicks, but they were unable to trouble Raúl Lizoain. With the Blue and Whites – dressed in purple today – pushing to go level, the Albacete side took advantage of an offensive transition. Morci found himself in a one-on-one with Alfonso Herrero, and the winger lifted the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 in the 20th minute.
In the 25th minute, came a decisive moment in the match. After a VAR intervention and the referee's review, Kofane was sent off for an action on Pastor. In the same play, Pacheco also received a direct red card for his protests.
Albacete found themselves with a two-goal lead and down to nine players on the pitch. However, Málaga’s numerical advantage was short-lived as, in the 32nd minute, the referee sent off Izan M. for an action inside the penalty area.
Málaga sought to close the gap on the scoreboard during the remaining minutes of the first half. Antoñito Cordero had the clearest chance for Málaga, but the home goalkeeper managed to make the save.
After the break, Pellicer made a triple substitution. Baturina, David Larrubia, and Aaron Ochoa replaced Dioni, Dani Sánchez, and Antoñito Cordero. Málaga attacked a compact Albacete team, which was defending their lead.
Roko Baturina had the clearest chance when he received a pass from Lobete and found himself in a one-on-one situation, but the home keeper made a save with his left foot.
An hour into the match, Málaga made further changes. Kevin Medina and Chupe came on to replace Yanis Rahmani and Lobete.
Málaga had a sixth substitution due to concussion protocol, with Juanpe replacing Pastor.
The team had several opportunities to find the goal that would bring them closer on the scoreboard. First, David Larrubia had a weak shot that was collected by Raúl Lizoain, and then Juanpe had two attempts from outside the box, one of which grazed the crossbar.
The push from Málaga didn’t bring the desired reward, and the match ended with a 2-0 scoreline.
Málaga CF remain with 39 points, and their next match will be on Saturday 22nd at 18:30 at La Rosaleda against Racing de Ferrol.
