Saturday night with a notable presence of Malaguista fans who had travelled to support Sergio Pellicer’s team. The coach made two changes to his line-up in regard to the previous match. Reserve team player, Juande came on in place of injured Diego González on the left profile of the defence, whilst Pacheco replaced Renato on the second line of the attack.
Málaga got off to a good start. With the ball, super quick transitions, arrivals and crosses from the wings; without the ball, high pressure on the local defence and good placement on the pitch. In minute 13, there was an opportunity for Hicham, with his shot forcing a superb save from Badia. Midway through the first half, the incombustible Nino appeared with a long shot in 26’. Pacheco, immediately afterwards, responded with a dangerous shot from a lateral free kick.
Pere Milla, finishing a good collective display, put Elche in the lead (1-0, 29’). Shortly afterwards, Juankar retired due to injury and Antoñín came on in his place wearing his new professional number, ‘19’. Munir saved an attempt from Nino in 37’, then Antoñín went in search of an equaliser in 41’, with a shot saved by Badia. Before the 45th minute, Gonzalo Verdú sent the ball to the post from a corner kick. At half-time the scoreboard remained 1-0.
Hicham, from a Juanpi pass, tried his luck from the right no sooner had the second half got underway. Pacheta’s team stood firm whilst maintaining their minimal lead, whilst Málaga advanced seeking to have more bite on the attack. Local scorer, Pere Milla narrowly missed a header into goal in 57’. Folch, in 59’, then launched a powerful shot at the target following a corner. Juanpi responded with a free kick that hit the crossbar. In 62’, Pellicer made a second substitution with Boulahroud coming on in place of Pacheco.
In the closing stages, Buenacasa substituted captain Adrián in 77’. Two minutes later – VAR check included - Escriche scored the second goal for the home side (2-0, 79’). This is the first defeat for Pellicer and the end of a nine-match undefeated streak for MCF in LaLiga SmartBank, at this historically cursed place for the Blue and Whites. After 26 matches, Málaga CF have 28 points in the pot and are in the danger zone.
