It was a sunny Saturday afternoon with a good crowd of loyal Malaguistas in the stands, who accompanied the team for the last home game of the 21/22 season.
Ayala’s starting-11 was made up of María Arrabal, in goal; Encarni, Ruth ©, Yoli and Olmedo, in defence; Silvia Mérida and María Cortés, on the double pivot; Lorena and Farfán on the wings and, upfront heading up the attack were Futu and Torralvo.
Badajoz started out with great intensity and took the lead on the scoreboard with a goal from Erica (0-1, 8’). They also generated other chances to go 0-2 up, particularly with an opportunity that was disrupted by Lorena on the goal line. However, the Blue and White reaction arrived midway through the first half in the form of goals.
Torralvo went level with a superb goal (1-1, 25'), the 17th in the league for the ‘pichichi’ from Granada. A few minutes later, it was Silvia Mérida who once again showed her power in aerial play and scored a goal (2-1, 30'). The sixth league goal for the Benalmádena-born player. Before the half-time whistle, Badajoz went level with a goal from Andrea Albiol (2-2, 43’).
In the second half, logically, the rhythm of the match slowed down and there were less chances for both sides. The physical impact, partly due to the high temperatures (there was even a water break) and the tension between the top two teams in the standings, made the clash more tactical and less attractive.
Ayala brought on Judith and Carmen Gómez, two of the most on-form players in the second half of this campaign. Although the standout goal opportunity was down to Futu in 67’ with a header that sailed over the crossbar following a corner.
At full-time the final score was 2-2 and there was a well-deserved ovation from the fans at the Roma Luz ground to bid farewell to the girls until next season.
Málaga CF, out of 25 matches played, remain undefeated with 67 points at the top of the table, and indisputable champions with +15 points above CD Badajoz. A total of 21 victories, four draws and no defeats in what has been an immaculate season which will come to an end in a fortnight away to CF Femenino Cáceres Atlético.
