Draw at La Rosaleda against Real Valladolid (3-3)

A Saturday night with a great atmosphere in the stands (26,420 spectators) welcomed one of the historic clubs of the division. On the pitch, Funes made two changes compared to the starting lineup that won in Granada, completely renewing the left flank: Víctor and Joaquín came in for the suspended Puga and Lobete, respectively. Rafita therefore returned to his natural position as a number ‘2’.

The start of the match couldn’t have been better for Málaga. Chupe won a penalty 10 minutes into the game and the striker himself confidently converted it (1-0, 11’). It was the Malaguista top scorer’s 11^th league goal of the season.

Shortly after came the second. A spectacular slalom run by Larrubia and his subsequent shot, cleared by the defence, fell to a perfectly positioned Dotor, who beat the visiting goalkeeper (2-0, 14’). It was the Madrid-born midfielder’s first goal wearing the Blue and White shirt.

Real Valladolid CF didn’t threaten Alfonso Herrero’s area until the 18^th minute, when a move ended with a shot from Peter that Víctor cleared. Then in minute 25, Chuki made an attempt, and a couple of consecutive corners put pressure on Málaga CF’s goal.

Joaquín Muñoz, in the 35^th and 38^th minutes, looked for the third goal with a trademark run and a long-range shot, respectively. Chuki again threatened for Valladolid in the 39^th minute with a shot that went close to the top corner.

Just before halftime, deep into first-half stoppage time, Peter Federico reduced the deficit on the scoreboard (2-1, 45+6’).

At the restart, Funes turned to the bench, bringing on Recio for Montero, who had already been booked with a yellow card. Very soon Málaga scored the third. Víctor delivered a free kick that Chupe slightly touched, and the ball ended up in the net. Although it was initially ruled offside, after a VAR review the goal was awarded (3-1, 48’). It was the striker’s fourth brace of the season, taking his tally to 12 goals in this campaign.

A few minutes later, the referee sent Víctor off with a straight red card (56’). Funes reacted by substituting Joaquín for Gabilondo (59’), with Rafita moving to left-back.

Real Valladolid CF scored again to reduce the deficit. An indirect free kick taken by Chuki went into the net after deflecting off Chupe (3-2, 65’). Then, in the 73^rd minute, Funes made a double substitution: Niño and Rafa came on for the goalscorers Chupe and Dotor.

Fran Escribá’s side, with a numerical advantage, pushed for the equaliser against a battling Málaga CF backed more than ever by their loyal fans. In 86’, another set-piece taken by Chuki led to a foul on Herrero, which ruled out the subsequent goal.

Juanpe replaced Dani Lorenzo in the 89^th minute to add fresh legs in midfield during the closing stages. On the edge of the 90^th minute, Niño fired a right-footed shot into the side netting. Two minutes later, Latasa equalised with a header from a Chuki assist for Real Valladolid CF (3–3, 92’). Deep into stoppage time, a collision between the visiting striker and Alfonso Herrero extended the match until the 105^th minute, when it finally ended in a draw.

After 29 matches, Málaga CF reach 48 points in the LaLiga Hypermotion standings and remain provisionally in 5^th place, within the promotion playoff spots.