Málaga CF and Atlético Baleares met this Sunday at Estadio Balear where around 300 Malaguistas came to support the team. The Blue and White fans defied the high temperatures and didn’t stop cheering on the lads throughout the match.
The Blue and White starting line-up consisted of: Herrero; Jokin, Einar, Juande, Victor; Genaro, Dani Lorenzo, Larrubia, Kevin; Dioni and Roberto.
The locals team stepped on to the pitch with the clear intention of taking an early lead, which they did in minute 13. Villapalos put his team ahead at the exit of a corner.
Pellicer's men worked hard to stop the rival attacks and approached the opposing area more frequently. The Blue and Whites, wearing green and purple on this occasion, made numerous dangerous attempts. Roberto featured in the clearest chances: In 16', with a one-on-one that goalkeeper Jero Lario managed to stop; he provoked a controversial move punishable by a penalty that the referee didn’t award (33'); and a shot halfway into the heart of the area in the 37th minute.
These options were the prelude to the 1-1 equaliser by the Córdoba-born striker, as he finished off a delicate lateral cross from Víctor García at the near post (1-1, 40'). A beautiful definition of a superb play originating from a great triangulation on the left wing. With this result came half-time.
In the second half, Pellicer's men multiplied their movements into the rival area and managed to alter the scoreboard again in the 53rd minute. Dioni recovered a lost ball in the area after a chain of rebounds and cleverly slammed it into the back of the net (1-2, 53').
The home team had a great chance in minute 63. Jorge Martínez was unmarked against Herrero, but the goalkeeper managed to take down the option with a great save, also guarded by central defender, Nelson who prevented a second shot from the Balearic attacker.
Genaro came close to making it 1-3 in the 70th minute. The midfielder violently headed a corner into the epicentre of the area, yet the rival keeper took a miraculous hand to the bottom of the post to prevent a goal.
Another two clear chances could have widened the gap. First Juan Hernández, and then David Larrubia, came up against an inspired Jero Lario.
At the end of 90 minutes of regulation time, plus an added six minutes, the final score was 1-2. After this second consecutive victory, Málaga CF will host Recreativo Granada at La Rosaleda next Saturday 16th at 21:30.
