Football returned to Martiricos with the usual great atmosphere resonating throughout the stands. The main new additions to the line-up were Venezuelans, Juanpi and Peñaranda. Kuzmanovic sustained injury during the warm-up (discomfort to his left leg), which brought Rolón into the starting-11 and introduced Cecchini to the line-up. In the initial stages of the game, Mula and Peñaranda were active on the wings, connecting well with Juanpi and upfront with Rolan.
A well-positioned Leganés at the back had former Malaguista, Amrabat as their main attacking danger. Following the first quarter of an hour of play, MCF attempted to overcome the compact tactical framework displayed by the visitors. Rolón and Recio pulled the team forward in the wide area, but just lacked a bit of punch in the rival half. In minute 33, the first major opportunity for the Blue and Whites was created by Rolan, who crossed the ball to the left post. Mula’s subsequent clearance went too high.
Just after a shallow shot on the edge of the area from Peñaranda, a monumental Roberto appeared in 36’ to save a one-on-one with Amrabat. In minute 44, José Recio was shown the yellow card that carries with it a federative sanction. At half-time, the scoreboard remained at 0-0.
In the second half, Málaga again came out with the intention of dominating the ball, against a solid Leganés in defence, and with an increasingly threatening Amrabat upfront. In minute 52, and particularly in minute 54, each of the Moroccan striker’s counter-attacks put Roberto’s reflexes to the test. Jony substituted Juanpi, and immediately afterwards, Gabriel Pires put the visitors in front (0-1, 56’). In 58’, Rolan came close to heading an equaliser following a great display by Peñaranda.
With half an hour remaining, Ontiveros came on in place of Mula, and in 63’, Amrabat was substituted in the ‘Pepinero’ line-up, receiving an elegant ovation by the crowd. Time passed and went against the Malaguista interests, whilst Legánes prepared for a counter-attack. It was Szymanowski who shaped this action perfectly for the visitors (0-2, 78’). The home side were left with a man down in 81’ as Recio was shown the red card.
In the 84th minute, Cecchini made his official debut wearing the Blue and Whites’ shirt, as he came on in place of Baysse. At full time the three points went to the rival from Madrid, as Leganés better handled the small details of play to secure a 0-2 win against Málaga CF.
