It was a festive Monday night commemorating a historic date: the 125th anniversary of the sinking in Málaga of the German frigate Gneisenau, marked by an emotional minute of silence in memory of the victims. The crowd also remembered the charismatic sports photographer Paco Rodríguez, who recently passed away.
Funes’ Málaga side, wearing the away kit in honour of the city’s motto ‘Muy Hospitalaria,’ used the same starting-11 for the third consecutive league match. It was a milestone day for the captain, Alfonso Herrero, who reached 100 official appearances in the Blue and White shirt.
The team got off to a strong start and, in the 2nd minute, had the first chance at the feet of Dani Lorenzo after a good move by Niño. After the first quarter of an hour, the goal arrived. Víctor delivered a free kick that the Zaragoza defence cleared; Izan Merino shot, and Einar deflected it just enough to send it into the net (1–0, 17’). It was the Basque centre-back’s second consecutive home goal.
Real Zaragoza felt the blow, as Málaga CF controlled the tempo of the match with Dani Lorenzo and Carlos Dotor active between the lines. Kodro, in the 36th minute, produced the first somewhat dangerous chance for the rival. With no major incidents, the scoreboard showed 1-0 at half-time.
At the start of the second half, the visiting side tried even harder to dominate possession of the ball (58% in the first half). Málaga CF, meanwhile, stuck to their game plan. Dani Lorenzo, from a Larrubia pass, had a headed chance for the second goal in the 49th minute.
Soberón tried his luck in the 53rd with a left-footer from a tight angle that went over Herrero’s goal. Niño, in the 61st minute, could have scored from a Joaquín pass, but his shot was blocked by Andrada. Larrubia, intense and hard-working, grew into his role on the right side of the attack, earning applause from the stands. For the opposition, former Malaguista Keidi Bare stood out in midfield.
Rafa came on for a much-applauded Dani Lorenzo, Funes’ first substitution in the 66th minute. A few minutes later, Chupe and Lobete entered the pitch for Niño and Joaquín (73’). In the 78th minute, Alfonso Herrero prevented the equaliser by winning a one-on-one against Dani Gómez.
In the final stretch, Zaragoza pushed hard in search of an equaliser, while Málaga confidently managed their lead. Gabilondo came on for Puga and Aaron Ochoa replaced Dotor in minute 83, the last substitutions of the match for the Blue and Whites.
Chupe and Larrubia, on separate counterattacks after the 90th minute, could have extended the lead, but the score was levelled just before the final whistle. The referee awarded a penalty that Dani Gómez converted for Real Zaragoza (1–1, 95’). Immediately afterwards, Chupe, and especially Lobete, had chances for a second goal, but the scoreboard didn’t change, resulting in a share of the points.
Málaga CF move up to 20 points, sitting in 14th place in LALIGA HYPERMOTION table after 17 league matches.
