A cold and very rainy Friday night didn’t stop 23,254 spectators from filling the stands. Before kick-off, a respectful minute of silence was observed in memory of the victims of the recent railway tragedy in Córdoba, as well as for former CD Málaga player Manolo Toledano, who passed away yesterday.
Funes made just one change to his starting-11 compared to last week’s match against Córdoba CF. Joaquín replaced Niño on the left side of Málaga’s attack, in the familiar 4-3-3 formation favoured by the coach from Loja.
Málaga started the match controlling possession in the opening stages, against a Ramis-led side focused more on defensive duties. The first shot on target came in the 12th minute, when Dani Lorenzo tested Cantero, who made a confident save. In the 21st minute, Dotor tried his luck from the edge of the box with a left-footed strike, but to no avail.
Dani Lorenzo was involved again in the 23rd minute with a fine move that ended in a shot and another save by the visiting goalkeeper. Curro led Burgos’ first attack of any real danger in minute 26. Just after the half-hour mark came a spectacular goal: David Larrubia beat two opponents and, from a tight angle, almost with no room to shoot, curled the ball into the top corner (1-0, 33’).
The rain eased slightly at times, but what never let up was the attacking flow of Funes’ side. As a result, the second goal arrived. A well-worked team move ended on the right flank, where Puga delivered a lofted cross that Chupe headed home with precision (2-0, 38’). The 10th league goal for the homegrown number ‘9’.
Before the break, Chupe went in search of a third, but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper. The 2-0 scoreline reflected Málaga CF’s excellent form in both play and results in a strong first half.
After the restart, Ramis’ side enjoyed more of the ball, although Málaga remained solid and faithful to their game plan. Larrubia, with a trademark slalom run, fired over the bar in the 54th minute. A minute later, Alfonso Herrero produced a superb save to deny David G. in what was the visitors’ best chance up to that point.
Funes turned to his bench in the 71st minute with a double substitution, bringing on Rafa and Aaron Ochoa in place of Dotor and Joaquín. Burgos, showing more heart than football, tried to pull a goal back as the match entered its closing stages. In the 78th minute came Málaga’s second double change, with Niño and Dorrio replacing Chupe and Dani Lorenzo.
And it was Adrián Niño who joined the celebration at La Rosaleda. The striker from Rota found the net to score his sixth league goal of the season (3-0, 86’). Juanpe replaced Izan Merino in the 88th minute, amid the euphoria of a crowd that never stopped chanting for their team.
The final 3-0 result secured Málaga’s sixth consecutive victory, taking them to 38 points and provisional fourth place, level on points with the teams in second and third, and firmly in the promotion playoff spots. Vamos, Málaga!
