Tough draw in the derby with Córdoba (2-2)

A Saturday night with a spectacular atmosphere in the stands (26,149 spectators), highlighted by the large number of fans who travelled from Córdoba. On the pitch, Pellicer repeated the same starting lineup from last weekend in Castellón, except on the left wing, where he brought in Joaquín instead of Lobete.

The first incident of the match, negative for the Blue and Whites’ interests, was the early injury to Juanpe. In the 10^th minute, Darko Brasanac replaced the Jerez-born midfielder at the heart of the midfield. During the opening quarter-hour, Málaga created danger especially down the right side, with an active David Larrubia.

Córdoba took their first shot on target in the 22^nd minute, with a strike from Carracedo that Alfonso Herrero saved. Balance dominated in a tightly contested match between two opponents who knew each other very well. In the 38^th minute, visiting player Isma Ruiz had a header go over Málaga’s goal.

Right before half-time, Darko went down injured, although Pellicer chose not to make a substitution for the Serbian so as not to use up the second stoppage window for changes in the first half. On the counter, Fuentes had a chance to score for the Córdoba side before the referee blew the whistle.

At the restart, Rafa came onto the pitch in place of the aforementioned Darko. Jacobo and Carracedo, on the counterattack, looked like the most dangerous attacking threats for a rival that came out with more bite in the second half.

In the 53^rd minute, the Córdoba CF captain, Albarrán, was sent off by the referee after committing a foul on Larrubia on the edge of the box. Immediately afterward, Víctor forced Iker Álvarez into a good save from the free kick. And the next opportunity found the net. A powerful, well-placed shot from Rafa slipped into the goal (1-0, 59’). It was the homegrown player’s fourth goal of the season, drawing level with Chupe as the top Malaguista scorer.

Córdoba’s reaction was immediate. Fuentes beat Herrero to level the match (1-1, 63’). Shortly afterward, Pellicer brought on Lobete and Niño, who was returning after a long spell out with injury, for Dotor and Joaquín (66’).

With a numerical advantage, Málaga multiplied their attacking advances. Iván Ania’s side, meanwhile, tried to hold defensively while waiting for a quick transition. Eneko Jauregi, right in front of goal, didn’t miss in the 73^rd minute to score what would have been the 2-1, but it was disallowed by the referee after about five minutes of VAR review.

In the 81^st minute, as former Malaguista Kevin Medina came on to a warm ovation on his return to La Rosaleda, Pellicer made his final substitution: Dorrio replacing Rafita. Just before the 90^th minute, La Rosaleda erupted. Rafa, once again Rafa, scored another monumental goal with an incredible strike (2-1, 89’). The fifth league goal for a player in outstanding form.

There were 12 minutes added on and, in the 101^st, Córdoba equalised in extremis through Diego Bri. A 2-2 final score and a share of the points, leaving Málaga CF with 15 on the board after 13 matchdays in LALIGA HYPERMOTION.