Despite playing a good game, the Blue and Whites come home empty handed against Levante UD. A solitary goal by Iborra in 62’ kept Mel’s men away from the points.
Málaga CF were away to Levante UD on matchday 18 of LaLiga SmartBank on this cold 4th December evening, in front of 11.461 fans at the Ciutat de València stadium.
Equality prevailed throughout the first half. The locals tried to take the initiative in attack, but the expeditious and well-organised Blue and White defence, didn’t permit too many dangerous attempts. Two of the rival’s clearest chances – two shots from both sides of the area – were deactivated by Rubén Yáñez. In addition, a powerful direct free kick from Joni Montiel in 20' hit the post.
When it came to the Blue and Whites, the danger had a first and last name, Rubén Castro. The number 24 came up against the rival goalkeeper in 17' in a one-on-one inside the area. Javi Jiménez crossed a lethal pass between the lines that the striker picked up facing goal. Cárdenas’ reflexes, covering the goal with precision, prevented the 0-1.
In the last action of the first half, Rubén Castro finally managed to score a goal. Febas orchestrated a great counterattack, delivered on the right wing for Villalba who, mischievously, served up a cross to the striker. He effectively outwitted the local goalkeeper but was declared offside. VAR corrected the referee’s decision after initially awarding the goal. After 45 minutes, the scoreboard remained at 0-0.
The second half got underway with a similar tone to the first. Mel’s team, strong in defence, attempted to keep the locals away from the goal. However, Levante UD opened the scoring in the 62nd minute. Iborra took control of a clearance in the heart of the area to head the ball into goal and take his team 1-0 up.
The Blue and Whites didn’t allow the goal to undermine their morale and went in search of an equaliser by increasing their presence in the rival area. MCF kept insisting, but the goal didn’t arrive. Yáñez once again gave an example of his extraordinary reflexes, preventing a one-on-one against Brugué in minute 78.
An explosive and dynamic Fomba, since joining play in 68', narrowly missed out on glory. He launched a powerful shot at goal, but the rival keeper responded forcefully, clearing the chance in 80'.
Loren again shook the Ciutat de València in 89'. The striker finished a precise cross from Javi Jiménez from point-blank range, but the local goalkeeper’s accuracy kept his team in front.
At full-time the 1-0 win went to the locals and the three points remain in Valencia.
