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Fight to the end with no reward (1-2)

Málaga CF were defeated by Valencia CF at La Rosaleda following an opening goal from Cop for the Malaguistas and a Kameni own goal, whilst Cheryshev scored for the visitors.

It was a hectic start to the match, with Málaga piling the pressure on Valenica on their half of the pitch with intense game play, particularly on the left wing, where Chory Castro returned to the starting-11 following injury.  It was precisely the Uruguayan player with a cross in minute 3’, who sent out a warning signal of what was to come within the first 15 minutes.  A stumbling Juanpi in the visitors’ area led Duje Cop to gain possession and fulfil his wish expressed before the game; to score at home.  The bombshell from the Croatian striker cleared away the cobwebs from Alves’ goal (1-0, 14’).

After scoring his third League goal, Cop was forced to leave the pitch due to injury in minute 23’.  Javi Gracia, during his 100th official LaLiga game as coach, opted for Ricardo Horta as substitution, leaving Charles as a clear reference upfront.  Following the initial blow, Valencia tried to relieve some of the pressure upfront from the Malaguistas after the first part of the initial 45 minutes, with Feghouli and Cheryshev key players on the wings.

Following a corner kick in minute 40’, Gary Neville’s men began to cause trouble for Kameni.  Just a minute later, the Cameroonian-born goalkeeper scored an own goal from a Paco Alcácer pass on the right (1-1, 41’).  The unease spread throughout the Blue and Whites’ squad, who deserved to go to half-time with a better score than the draw.

And, as is football, Valencia scored their second goal soon after the second half got underway.  An excellent pass from André Gomez allowed Russia’s Denis Cheryshev to slam the ball into the back of Kameni’s net from the left (1-2, 49’).  Despite this goal, Málaga reacted with courage in order to level up the score board.  Gracia brought on Santa Cruz in place of Juanpi (58’), and soon after, Valencia striker, Alcácer forgave a clamorous action on a clear counter-attack.

As the first 15 minutes of the second half continued, then came the controversy in the form of a brawl between several players, a possible aggression by Feghouli, the fifth yellow card for substitute, Duda (carrying a sanction) and the expulsion of Javi Gracia, which fanned the flames of the crowd who weren’t about to forget the referring errors of previous games that deprived Málaga of several points.  After the storm, newly incorporated Rodrigo in minute 73’ missed a clear opportunity to increase the lead.

The entrance of Atsu in place of Horta (75’) was the last bullet in the Blue and Whites’ armour.  Chory on the left, tried his luck with numerous shots, and direct play taking advantage of the aerial strength of Santa Cruz was sought as another resource to outwit Alves.  Málaga maintained their honour and tried until the end, even with Kameni finishing off a corner in stoppage time, as well as Albentosa ‘a lo Alexanco’, but it wasn’t to be.  The final result was a 1-2 defeat, and the team hopes to return to winning ways on Saturday at Riazor against Deportivo, (10:05 p.m., La 1).