Málaga CF’s juveniles won’t forget their first UEFA Youth League match easily. Board member of the Club, Rakel Al Thani; adviser, Abdullah Ben Barek; MCF Academy coordinator, Miguel Ángel Calzado; and Spanish Ambassador in Slovakia, Félix Valdés y Valentín-Gamazo, all witnessed this unforgettable match.
Pellicer’s team dominated the ball and attempted to determine the pace of play, but FC Nitra approached the Malaguista area with vertical play on the counter attack. Both sides exchanged approaches to the area, but it was the Slovakian side that took an early lead. In minute 13, Balaj overcame Kellyan to open the scoring, forcing the Blue and Whites to launch their attack (1-0).
The MCF Academy team maintained ball possession and tried to overcome the rival defence, without success. At half-time the score remained 1-0.
In the second half, the match continued along the same line. Possession belonged to Málaga CF, although FC Nitra trod repeatedly in the attacking half.
In minute 55, Kuki managed to outwit the home side’s expeditious defence to score the 1-1 after finishing off an intricate display inside the area. The draw was short-lived, A. Fabry put the locals back in the lead in minute 57, making the most of a rapid action from a throw-in (2-1).
Málaga’s juveniles didn’t let the goal get them down, and went all out on the attack. Time went on, but nerves didn’t condition Málaga’s gameplay. In minute 86, Kuki levelled up the scoreboard with a fantastic goal; the number 10 converted a great shot on the half turn to make it 2-2.
With 4,600 Slovakian fans in the stands, everyone was counting the seconds until the final whistle, but the referee added four minutes of extra time and the battle with Málaga continued.
Hicham got the ball to the area, and in minute 92, adjusted an impossible shot for the rival keeper to save, at the base of the post (2-3).
Ontiveros was at the point of scoring the fourth Malaguista goal with a precise shot at the target that sailed just a few centimetres over the crossbar.
At the final whistle, the score was 2-3, Málaga CF’s first victory in the UEFA Youth League, something the players won’t forget in a hurry. The return leg of this first knockout round will take place in Málaga on 19th October.
Match stats
Team line-ups:
FC Nitra: Sipos, Guzik, Krajcovic, Macho, Zahon, Balaj, M. Fabry (Tkac, 80’), A. Fabry (Szabo, 75’), Fabis, Homola and Kunik.
Málaga CF: Kellyan, Álex Robles, Luis, Álex Sánchez, Cedenilla (Juande, 46’), Arturo (José Carlos, 50’), Maty, Hicham, Ontiveros, Kuki and Joel (Jony, 76’).
Goals:
1-0, Balaj (13’)
1-1, Kuki (55’)
2-1, Fabry (57’)
2-2, Kuki (86’)
2-3, Hicham (90’)
Referee: Hungarian referee, Ferenc Karakó showed the yellow card to local players: Homola (44’), Krajvovic (66’) and Kunik (72’).
Information: First leg of the first knockout round of the UEFA Youth League, held at the Stadión pod Zoborom (Slovakia) in front of 4,600 fans.
