Hard fought point under incessant rainfall at Can Misses (1-1)
All square for Málaga CF and UD Ibiza at Can Misses on matchday 20 of LaLiga SmartBank. Chavarría scored for the Blue and Whites, whilst Herrera went level for the locals.
Despite the rain, the Malaguista fans cheered on the team during this crucial match in Ibiza. On the pitch at Can Misses, Mel’s formation consisted of Yáñez in goal; Burgos and Escassi as full backs; Ramalho and Javi Jiménez on the wing to make up the line of four; Genaro as defensive pivot with Jozabed, Febas and Villalba in midfield; and Chavarría and Rubén Castro upfront.
Ibiza and Málaga were more conservative in the opening stages. Adapting to the wet pitch and the importance of the match were key. After a few minutes of back and forth between the two teams, Málaga began to impose their idea of play on the local team.
The Malaguistas enjoyed their first great chance in minute 17. Rubén Castro gained possession in midfield and crossed to Villalba, who arrived in the area in a good position, although he was unable to overcome Fuzato with his left leg.
Midway through the first half, Chavarría, with a steal upfront and Escassi, following a strategic play, continued to seek out the local area. In 31’, Pepe Mel’s men opened the scoring. Villalba received the ball on the left and made way for Javi Jiménez who launched a superb cross to the far post. Chavarría, in an advanced position, entered with force to head the ball into the net and score the first goal of the game (0-1).
The locals took a step forward and looked for an equaliser before half-time. Captain Herrera attempted to go level from in front of the area, but his shot was saved by Yáñez. After 45 minutes, the visitors held on to their 0-1 lead.
In the second half, there were several disputes and little control from either side, who both defended with intensity. N'Diaye replaced Genaro after he was shown the yellow card and Luis Muñoz came on for Jozabed to provide fresh legs. Around minute 70, after a good combination between Javi Jiménez and Febas, Luis Muñoz propelled the ball from the edge of the area, but it went wide.
A minute later, Miki Villar filtered a good pass into the area and Herrera took the home side level (1-1). Now all square on the scoreboard, Ibiza returned to their initial, more reactive approach, while Málaga once again dominated via possession. Loren and Issa Fomba joined the game and offered more dynamics to the attack.
Chavarría was once again the protagonist of an attacking action with a powerful cross shot in the 82nd minute, but the Malaguista attempts failed to convert into a second goal.
The incessant rainfall, as well as the midweek fixture, meant that both teams reached the final stages of play extremely fatigued. Point number 16 of the season for MCF, the same as UD Ibiza. Next Sunday, the final match of the first round of the competition, and indeed 2022, will take place at La Rosaleda against Deportivo Alavés.
