The Malaguistas dominated during the initial stages of play. The only new face in the starting-11, in relation to last week, was the entrance of Juanpi in place of injured Koné. In the first quarter of an hour, Muñiz’s men made two approaches. In 10’, Pau grazed the crossbar following an Ontiveros set piece; and in 15’, Renato launched a powerful shot at the target, straight into the hands of local keeper, Álvaro.
The first goal opportunity for the home side came from a corner in minute 24, headed high by the ‘pichichi’ of the category Enric Gallego. Shortly afterwards, Extremadura captain Kike Márquez chased possession and with a great long shot slammed the ball past Munir (1-0, 32’). In the 37th minute Valverde, with a pass from Gallego, came close to netting the second goal for the locals.
In minute 40, Muñiz made his first substitution. Hicham replaced Renato on the right profile of the attack. Munir, in 44’, saved a promising shot by goal-scorer Márquez. At half-time the scoreboard stayed at 1-0.
In the second half the Malaguistas stepped up the attack with the entrance of Héctor for Juanpi to form a ‘double 9’ with Blanco Leschuk. It was precisely the Argentine striker, in 52’, who almost went level with a header deflected by the goalkeeper to hit the right post. Ten minutes later, Ontiveros, from a free kick, sent the ball extremely close to Álvaro’s goal.
The team generated situations that led to lateral free kicks and corners midway through the second half. In 67’, Ontiveros executed an indirect free kick that Pau, with a header, shot over the crossbar. Lacen, in 73’, came on in place of Iván, moving N’Diaye more central and Diego to the right. Immediately afterwards there was another clear occasion for MCF. Ontiveros from the left set up a chance for a Leschuk header that grazed the post (75’).
In the closing stages, Málaga kept insisting against an Extremadura that maintained their lead on a scoreboard that didn’t change (1-0). No points for MCF on their visit to Extremadura, nor being able to dedicate a good result to the 500 fans supporting the team at the stadium for the 90 minutes. The Blue and Whites, with 29 points, finish the matchday in third place in the competition.