Málaga CF faced Real Madrid Castilla this Saturday 25th May on Primera Federación matchday 38, the last game of the regular season. A total of 1,851 fans were at the Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium featuring around 700 Blue and Whites.
Sergio Pellicer selected the following starting-11: A. Herrero; Puga, Nelson Monte, Juande, Dani Sánchez; Genaro, Juanpe, Sangalli; Ferreiro, Kevin and Roberto.
Both teams fought to take control of the match, but it was the Blue and Whites, wearing green and purple on this occasion, who took the lead with a goal from Ferreiro. The winger went deep on the right wing to receive an extraordinary pass from Roberto and sent a cross looking for a finisher. The ball touched Madrid goalkeeper Fran and ended up in the back of the net after hitting the far post (0-1, 16').
After the goal, the locals went on the search for an equaliser and whilst Alfonso managed to dismantle two good options, their insistence paid off. Striker Álvaro took advantage of a defensive mistake that resulted in a bad clearance and headed in from point-blank range in the 33rd minute (1-1). The scoreboard remained all square at half-time.
The second half kicked off with a very similar tone to the first; with Málaga trying to control the pace of the game and Castilla trying to come back from the counterattack, but the Blue and White defence closed the door again and again. Pellicer's men had two consecutive chances in the 62nd minute. Ferreiro tried first with a surprising left-footer from the edge of the area, yet the ball was cleared by the goalkeeper with a great save. Immediately afterwards, Kevin also shot from the front to the base of the near post. The attempt, powerful and precise, went just a few millimetres from the post.
The Blue and Whites continued looking for the advantage and finally got it in the 69th minute. Dioni assisted Ferreiro in the area with a low pass so that the unmarked number '7' took the necessary pause to beat the opposing goalkeeper with class (1-2, 69').
The home team sought to go level again from the wing by Rafael Obrador and Jeremy De León, but the Malaguistas remained firm and defended their lead well.
Pellicer's men looked for quick transitions to take advantage of the home team's advanced positions. Antoñito Cordero scored from the edge of the area, but the local defence deflected it to a corner.
Despite Madrid's momentum, the Malaguista team held their advantage to claim three very important points. As such, Málaga CF reaches 70 points and certifies - thanks to UD Ibiza’s defeat - third place in Primera Federación Group 2.
