Málaga CF faced Real Oviedo on matchday 12 of LaLiga SmartBank this Monday 24th October at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium. Manolo Reina; Juanfran, Burgos, Escassi, Javi Jiménez; Febas, Dani Lorenzo, N'Diaye, Luis Muñoz, Cristian; and Rubén Castro made up Pepe Mel’s starting-11.
From the outset, the Malaguistas sought control of the match through possession of the ball. The locals meanwhile countered the Blue and Whites' attempts to attack. Cristian was the first to seek out Tomeu Nadal's goal. The player from Marbella launched a direct free kick from the edge of the area yet his attempt grazed the post.
As time went on, Rubén Castro generated several chances, but didn’t manage to put his team in front. However, it was Luis Muñoz and Febas who created the most dangerous opportunities for the Blue and Whites. First the Malagueño captain, who finished off a good attacking combination with a shot from the edge of the area that went wide. Subsequently, just before half-time, in the 44th minute, came the clearest chance. Javi Jimenez propelled a great cross which Febas headed towards the target, but the ball went slightly wide.
The referee added three minutes of stoppage time. Real Oviedo headed down the right wing and, stemming from an Oviedo header after a cross, Escassi committed a foul for a hand ball. Borja Bastón, during the last action of the first half, made it 1-0 from the 11-metre mark.
In the second half, MCF went all out in search of an equaliser. Fran Sol came on in 51’ in place of Luis Muñoz, and in 61', his header narrowly missed the goal.
Málaga CF kept insisting. Pepe Mel brought on Issa Fomba and Loren and, later, Ramón and Jozabed. The team looked to go level until the end, but the final result was 1-0.
On Sunday, LaLiga SmartBank matchday 13 will take place at La Rosaleda. The Blue and Whites will be seeking the three points against SD Eibar with the aim of leaving the relegation zone.
