Football doesn’t stop in LaLiga SmartBank. The third match in a week and back at La Rosaleda three days after the last game, to host CD Mirandés on matchday 8 of the competition. The demands of the calendar meant that Pellicer refreshed the starting line-up, with six new faces in relation to the last match. Lombán and Jozabed debuted in the starting-11 this season, Juan Soriano was in goal, Matos returned to the left wing, Jozabed was in midfield whilst Jairo was on the right wing.
The Blue and Whites, highly recognisable in their concepts, went out there and piled the pressure on the Red and Blacks. Following certain transitions with a lack of finish, Málaga were rewarded with a goal in 16’. With an opening to the left, Matos sent a low cross to the heart of the area that Jozabed netted with a delicate touch to the left of Raúl Lizoian. The action was revised by VAR and the Blue and White goal was awarded. A few minutes later, Iván Calero tried his luck from 20 metres away, whilst the team from Miranda de Ebro sought out the goal from outside, with former Blue and White reserve team player Javi Jiménez highly motivated yet lacking a finisher. At the end of the first half, play was focused in midfield, with barely any attacking actions.
In the second half, the visitors took a step forward with more direct play which led to the equaliser in 52’. Iván Martín made a pass to Jirka on the right who surpassed keeper Juan Soriano. Mirandés went on to generate another opportunity with a left-footed attempt by Iván Martín that was blocked by the Malaguista keeper. Between 60’ and 65’, Pellicer made two double substitutions, bringing on Yanis and Chavarría first, followed by Luis Muñoz and Ramón. Víctor Gómez from the visitors skied the ball in 68’, followed by Yanis who also propelled the ball over the crossbar, whilst Djouahra forced Juan Soriano to intervene. In 76’, VAR annulled a penalty for a possible Mejías hand ball. David Larrubia joined the game in the final stages to breathe fresh air into the Malaguista attack. Sergio Moreno, in 89’ headed the ball straight into Juan Soriano’s hands, and Luis Muñoz had the last chance of the match with a left-footer stopped in its tracks by Lizoian at the left post.
With this draw, Málaga CF have accumulated 14 points in eight games. The next league match is on Thursday 29th at 19:00 in Mallorca.
