La Rosaleda Stadium played host to an intense match from the very first minute, with Rondón having a chance at goal in minute 4. Koné was determined to create goal chances for Levante, with elaborate attacking play against the home side. However Juan Ignacion Martínez’s men were in danger of a Málaga goal within the first 15 minutes of the match, with Cazorla, Rondón and Joaquín creating the goal opportunities.
Málaga’s dominance continued to grow as the game went on, with Monreal, Eliseu and Joaquín Gámez on the wings, Isco in midfield and Toulalan having the most possession in every Málaga attack. Levante tried to prevent the home side’s quick rhythmic play, but were unable to gain much possession during the first half. Even with a fierce shot at goal by Joaquín, saved by Munúa’s hand, and a header from Rondón which was saved by the Levante defence, there was a goalless draw after 45 minutes.
The second half got underway with a dangerous shot by Ghezzal aimed to the right of Willy Caballero, the start of much stronger Levante play, from a team who weren’t prepared to take so much dominance of the match by the Blues and Whites. However when things looked set to change for the visitors, Málaga’s Rondón took a shot towards the left of goal, with Munúa unable to save the ball, putting the home side one nil up on the scoreboard.
Levante went on the attack in search of an equaliser, but the Rosaleda outfit created more danger all over the pitch, even though both teams were alternating possession, the visitors saw little of the ball. Two saves from Munúa prevented another Málaga goal with impressive play between Cazorla and Isco.
A good midfield ball from Ghezzal to Koné was possibly Levante’s best chance to score in the second half. Just after Seba was brought on in minute 77, Levante had another goal opportunity, but a brilliant save from Caballero saw the Blues and Whites still in the lead.
Both teams made changes, the majority being from the home side in the last part of the game. A kick from Cazorla in the last few minutes, and in stoppage time a shot from Levante, saw the whistle blown with a victory for Málaga Club de Fútbol. The Blues and Whites now have 40 points, and in the worst case scenario are in fifth place, tied in fourth place, at the end of the 27th match in the BBVA League.
Match statistics
Málaga CF: Willy Caballero; J. Gamez, Demichelis., Weligton, Monreal; Joaquin (Seba 77’), Toulalan, Cazorla, Eliseu (Camacho 70’); Isco (Duda 89’) and Rondón.
Levante UD: Munúa, Pedro López (Rubén Suárez 78’), Cabral, Ballesteros, Del Horno, Valdo, Óscar Serrano (Botelho 56’), Farinos, Barkero, Ghezzal (El Zhar 88’) and Koné.
Goals:
1-0 (51’): Rondón
Málaga’s dominance continued to grow as the game went on, with Monreal, Eliseu and Joaquín Gámez on the wings, Isco in midfield and Toulalan having the most possession in every Málaga attack. Levante tried to prevent the home side’s quick rhythmic play, but were unable to gain much possession during the first half. Even with a fierce shot at goal by Joaquín, saved by Munúa’s hand, and a header from Rondón which was saved by the Levante defence, there was a goalless draw after 45 minutes.
The second half got underway with a dangerous shot by Ghezzal aimed to the right of Willy Caballero, the start of much stronger Levante play, from a team who weren’t prepared to take so much dominance of the match by the Blues and Whites. However when things looked set to change for the visitors, Málaga’s Rondón took a shot towards the left of goal, with Munúa unable to save the ball, putting the home side one nil up on the scoreboard.
Levante went on the attack in search of an equaliser, but the Rosaleda outfit created more danger all over the pitch, even though both teams were alternating possession, the visitors saw little of the ball. Two saves from Munúa prevented another Málaga goal with impressive play between Cazorla and Isco.
A good midfield ball from Ghezzal to Koné was possibly Levante’s best chance to score in the second half. Just after Seba was brought on in minute 77, Levante had another goal opportunity, but a brilliant save from Caballero saw the Blues and Whites still in the lead.
Both teams made changes, the majority being from the home side in the last part of the game. A kick from Cazorla in the last few minutes, and in stoppage time a shot from Levante, saw the whistle blown with a victory for Málaga Club de Fútbol. The Blues and Whites now have 40 points, and in the worst case scenario are in fifth place, tied in fourth place, at the end of the 27th match in the BBVA League.
Match statistics
Málaga CF: Willy Caballero; J. Gamez, Demichelis., Weligton, Monreal; Joaquin (Seba 77’), Toulalan, Cazorla, Eliseu (Camacho 70’); Isco (Duda 89’) and Rondón.
Levante UD: Munúa, Pedro López (Rubén Suárez 78’), Cabral, Ballesteros, Del Horno, Valdo, Óscar Serrano (Botelho 56’), Farinos, Barkero, Ghezzal (El Zhar 88’) and Koné.
Goals:
1-0 (51’): Rondón
Referee:
Iglesias VIllanueva, from Galicia. Málaga’s Seba was given a yellow card, along with Pedro López, Del Horno and Ballesteros from Levante.
Incidents:
The 27th match in the BBVA League, held in La Rosaleda Stadium in Málaga.
Málaga CF honours lifelong fan Jorge Jiménez, and for his contribution of historic football material to the MCF Museum and Tour
Organisation
Málaga Club de Fútbol holds a minute’s silence in memory of former players Pepe Arias and ‘Juanito’ Franch
Organisation
Pellegrini: “I’m very happy with the match”
First team
Rondón: “We’re on the right track”
First team