Málaga CF and CD Alcoyano met this Saturday 18th November with a spectacular atmosphere at La Rosaleda in front of 20,635 fans. Pellicer’s starting-11 consisted of: Herrero; Jokin, Nelson, Einar, Dani Sánchez; Genaro, Dani Lorenzo, Larrubia, Juan Hernández, Dioni and Roberto.
The match started to heat up as time went on. After an exciting applause of support for Haitam after he sustained injury, a great opportunity came for the locals to open the scoring. Dioni delivered a great cross from the right that landed with Roberto. However, the forward’s header came up against the post.
Four minutes later, in minute 12, Juan Hernández delivered a low cross from the left to which Jokin arrived from behind. The fullback failed to direct the ball between the sticks and the shot went wide.
The Blue and Whites focused on the attack on the edge of the area, but it was the visitors who took the lead. Sergi Garcia took advantage of a counterattack unmarked against Herrero to put the ball into the net (0-1, 17'). The locals then saw the rival increase their lead in minute 26 with a goal from José Lara (0-2, 26'), before half-time.
In the second half, the game took a different turn. The locals went on the attack and, finally, managed to narrow the gap. Kevin launched a shot from the front that was stopped by a rival’s hand. The referee then signalled a penalty. Kevin himself was in charge of converting from the 11-metre mark with a powerful and precise shot to the base of the left post (1-2, 53').
A minute later, in the 54th minute, MCF scored again but the goal was disallowed due to a prior foul. Loren managed to score, but the referee signalled a hand ball from the striker.
Málaga CF continued their attempts, cheered on by their fans. Pellicer's men insisted again and again, very active on the wing and on the second line. They frequented the opposing area, harassing the rival, but the end result was a 1-2 defeat.