Pulling out all the stops to claim a crucial advantage (2-0)
MCF’s Juvenil ‘A’ defeated FC Midtjylland at the Ciudad de Málaga stadium, in the first leg of the UEFA Youth League second round tie. Jony and Mario, who joined play in the second half, were the Malaguista goal-scorers in the final stage of the match.
In the first half, both teams had a few approaches at goal, although the defenders put on an impressive display. The best chance for the Malaguistas came in minute 24 thanks to Joel, in a first half marked by a nearly 10-minute break, due to a collision between Youssep and Danish keeper, Ottesen half an hour in. The referee added an additional eight minutes of extra time due to the slow recovery of the rival goalkeeper. Before the half-time whistle, Alberto and Hicham could have opened the scoring, but the scoreboard remained a level 0-0.
In the second 45 minutes, Blue and Whites’ wingers, Robles and Sánchez came into play, and both ‘Álex’s’ provided security at the back. In minute 64, there was a triple chance for MCF, with Hicham, Kuki and Alberto putting recovered goalkeeper, Ottesen to the test, who deflected all the shots. The first goal came in minute 77, thanks to Jony, who had not long joined play, and scored from the penalty spot. Another sub, Mario, scored the winning goal for Málaga in stoppage time, with a lethal counter-attack (2-0, 94’).
An excellent result for the Juvenil ‘A’, who will now be preparing for the return leg in Denmark, to keep the dream alive in the best European competition of the category.
Match stats: Málaga CF 2 – FC Midtjylland 0
Málaga – Pellicer: Kellyan; Álex Robles, Youssep, Juande, Álex Sánchez; Hicham (Cristóbal 95’), Arturo (c), José Carlos, Alberto (Jony 71’); Kuki Zalazar and Joel (Mario 88’).
Midtjylland – Andersen: Ottesen; Riis (c), Kirk (Essaisi 88’), Nicolaisen, Vang, Poulsen, Jürgensen, Olsen (Torp 83’), Ogochukwu, Faour and Thychosen.
Goals
1-0: Jony -penalty- (77’). 2-0: Mario (94’).
Referee
Tiago Martins (Portugal). Yellow cards were shown to Malaguistas: Hicham and Arturo; and from the visitors: Olsen, Thychosen and Vang.
Information
Ciudad de Málaga stadium, 3.380 fans. First leg of the UEFA Youth League second round tie, with a large presence from the coaching team and players from Málaga CF’s first team in the stands.
