There was an incredible atmosphere in the stands for the first home game of the season, with a minute’s silence held at the start in memory of all the illustrious Malaguistas who passed away last season. Muñiz only introduced one change in respect of the last starting line-up that won last week in Lugo, bringing on Juankar in place of Ontiveros on the left profile of the attack.
From the outset the team showed immense solidity and a great fighting ability – recognised by the fans – in every ball, as well as impressive entrances on the wing by an active Cifuentes on the right. Harper, during his home debut with MCF, generated the first opportunity in minute 13, assisting an unmarked Recio who skied his shot at goal. It wasn’t until minute 24, with a long shot from Jonathan Pereira saved by Munir, when Alcorcón appeared on the attack.
The Madrid-based rival improved in the final stretch of the first half, however Málaga never lost control of play. Adrián, in minute 42, tried his luck with a right footer following a rehearsed set piece. A Recio free kick saved by Dani Jiménez was the final shot at goal before the break.
There wasn’t much change as play resumed in the second half. Renato Santos, with a dangerous shot that hit the post attempted to open the scoring in 55’. Five minutes later, Muñiz made a double substitution to revolutionise the attack, with Blanco Leschuk and homegrown player Hicham coming on in place of Adrián and Renato. In the 64th minute came the first action from the Hicham-Leschuk duo, with a cross from the first and a shot from the latter that was stopped by the rival keeper.
Ontiveros for Juankar, in 76’, was the third Blue and White substitution to try and take the lead. Álvaro Peña, with a distant shot, sought to surprise Munir in 79’. The Ontiveros imbalance produced a goal that was a long time coming. A sweet cross from the Marbella-born player from the left of the area resulted in an unforgiving point-blank goal from Blanco Leschuk (1-0, 82’). Hicham, making the most of the positive impact of the goal, sought a second goal with a 30-metre shot that grazed the target.
Ontiveros was sent off in stoppage time for a harsh foul on an opponent. After protesting, the referee also sent off Bellvís from the visitors. It was the abrupt epilogue of MCF’s second win of the 18/19 season, in line with the team’s three winning precedents on Second Division matchday 2, also by 1-0. Vamos Málaga!