Following last week’s League break, the Málaga CF players missed La Rosaleda, and tonight came on to the pitch, as they had said during the week, “eager to focus on climbing up the table.”
Amrabat returned to the starting-11 tonight, and a combination with Samu García in minute 12 generated the first chance for the Blue and Whites. He passed to Coín-born striker, Juanmi who, during his big week following his Spain debut, launched the ball towards the target, but he was unfortunately declared to be offside.
The ‘Malagistas’ dominated the majority of play, and in the 26th minute Málaga CF could have scored one of the best goals of the season. Two back heels from Juanmi and Samuel following a corner put Real keeper, Rulli on his toes.
The Blue and Whites stepped up their search for a goal in the final part of the first half, whilst Kameni intervened with ease on the few actions by the rival in their attempts to take the lead.
With their batteries fully charged, Málaga CF came out in the second half determined to get a goal. The hard work finally paid off. A Samu Castillejo free kick was picked up by Recio who put the home side 1-0 in front with a majestic header into the back of the net after 58 minutes.
Sergi Darder and Boka continued hammering away at the Real keeper, as fans created an amazing atmosphere in the stands at La Rosaleda using the lights on their mobile phones.
Real Sociedad moved upfront and managed to equalise towards the end of the game. Rubén Pardo was successful from in front of the area as the ball shot past the base of the post in minute 83, rendering a Kameni save impossible.
Málaga CF went all out in search of a winning goal, but the scoreboard remained the same and the Blue and Whites leave Real eight points behind and the ‘Malaguistas’ winning on goal average.
Match stats
Team line-ups:
Málaga CF: Kameni; Rosales, S. Sánchez, Weligton, Boka; Samuel (R. Horta, 61’), Recio, S. Darder, S. Castillejo; Amrabat (Javi Guerra, 89’) and Juanmi (Duda, 73’).
Real Sociedad: Rulli; Zaldua, Ansotegi, Iñigo, Yuri; M. Bergara, Granero (R. Pardo, 64’), X. Prieto, Canales (Hervias, 64’), Chory Castro (Finbogasson, 77’) and Agirretxe.
Goals:
1-0, Recio, 58’
1-1, Rubén Pardo, 83’
Referee: Del Cerro Grande (Madrid Referee School). Yellow cards were shown to local players: S. Sánchez (64’), S. Castillejo (79’), Weligton (91') and Boka (91'); and from the visitors: M. Bergara (43’), Iñigo (58’), Ansotegi (70’) and X. Prieto (85’).
Information: 29th BBVA League match of the season held at La Rosaleda stadium in front of 20,499 fans.