In an intense midweek round of action, Málaga CF welcomed Villarreal CF to La Rosaleda in search of their first win of the season. A total of 28,505 Malaguistas in the stands cheered Juanfran Funes’ side on, with the following starting-11 taking to the pitch: A. Herrero; C. Puga, Recio, Einar, Salinas; D. Larrubia, Martínez, Izan M., Cruz; Dotor and Chupe.
Málaga made a bright start and took the lead in the 11th minute. Larrubia broke forward in midfield and found Cruz on the right flank. The winger took on his man before delivering a superb ball into the edge of the box, where Dotor finished after the ball took a touch off a visiting defender (1-0, 11’).
Villarreal pushed for an equaliser and found it through Moleiro in the closing stages of the first half (39’). Just a few minutes later, Gueye struck again (45+2’) to complete the turnaround just before the break.
After the restart, Málaga made a double substitution, with Rafita and Dani Lorenzo replacing Salinas and Cruz. Just after the hour mark (66’), another double change followed, as Joaquín and Niño came on for Dotor and Izan M. Fifteen minutes later, Ramón completed Málaga’s substitutions, replacing C. Puga. Málaga pushed for an equaliser, but Villarreal exploited the spaces and eventually added a third. Gueye was on target again to complete his hat-trick (1-3, 86’). Full-time at La Rosaleda: Málaga 1-3 Villarreal.
Málaga CF remain on three points and will look to secure their first win of the season on Sunday 20th September, when they travel to the Coliseum to face Getafe CF (14:00).
