Málaga CF hosted Algeciras CF on Primera Federación matchday 17 this evening, Sunday 17th December, A total of 20.750 fans were cheering on the team at La Rosaleda Stadium for this last match of the year.
Sergio Pellicer’s starting line-up was made up of: Herrero; Jokin, Murillo, Einar, Dani Sánchez; Genaro, Izan Merino; Dioni, David Larrubia, Kevin Medina; Roberto.
During the initial minutes both teams began to gain contact with the match and Málaga CF took possession and control of play as time went on.
In the first stages of the match, Kevin made several crosses from the wing which Roberto didn’t manage to connect with the goal. In addition, Dani Sánchez also featured in an attack on the wing that culminated in a shot by Izan Merino from the penalty spot that narrowly missed the goal.
As the pressure mounted, Kevin took advantage of a loss of possession by the Algeciras defence to try a shot from distance, which didn’t reach the rival goal due to the intervention of a defender.
Málaga's constant attacks paid off in the 24th minute thanks to a good cross by Dani Sánchez from the left wing that the defence was unable to clear, allowing Jokin to take advantage to put the locals 1-0 up with a low shot to the bottom of the net (1-0, 24').
Being 1-0 in the lead, Málaga continued to control the match and made numerous attacks in the rival area. Einar’s attempt grazed the post following a measured cross from Murillo.
The Blue and Whites stepped up their attack in the final stretch of the first half. Their triple chance kicked-off with an attempt by Dioni, followed by Larrubia from inside the area in an occasion that was stopped in its tracks by the rival. Subsequently, Genaro struck from outside the area, but his shot didn’t find the target and the rival defence sent the ball to the corner.
Minutes later, Izan Merina had two chances to increase the lead after a measured cross from Jokin that rival goalkeeper Lucho managed to stop.
The match reached half-time with the score at 1-0, leaving room for a second half with everything to play for.
In the second half, neither Genaro nor Iván Turrillo were part of the match as both were sent off at half-time. In the first part of the second half, Málaga had the option to increase their lead on the scoreboard thanks to a shot by Roberto that hit the post. After this initial chance, both teams fought for ball possession in a game with few chances.
In the 74th minute, Málaga took a step forward and went further ahead on the scoreboard with a goal from Roberto, who converted a measured cross from Jokin that Lucho was unable to stop (2-0, 74').
Sergio Pellicer made some changes in minute 78. Antoñito C and Moussa came on for Kevin Medina and Murillo.
In the 86th minute, Dioni was shown his second yellow card and Málaga CF were another player down.
Algeciras responded with a goal from Pimienta in the 87th minute through an individual attack in Málaga CF’s area that the Blue and White defence couldn’t prevent (2-1, 87').
Following the expulsion and the rival goal, Loren Zúñiga entered the field of play to replace Roberto, one of the goal-scorers of the match.
The final score was a 2-1 win, allowing the three points to remain at La Rosaleda and Málaga CF to end the year at home with a victory. The team is now in 3rd place of Primera Federación Group 2 with 35 points.