Málaga CF and CD Eldense faced off on Sunday 11th May (18:30) on matchday 39 of LaLiga Hypermotion. The game was held at the Nuevo Pepico Amat stadium in front of 4,338 spectators, including over 500 Malaguistas.
Sergio Pellicer opted for the following starting-11: A. Herrero; Murillo, Nelson, Einar, Dani Sánchez; Luismi, Izan M., Antoñito C., Lobete, Larrubia, and Chupe.
The Blue and Whites, wearing gold on this occasion, started the match confidently. The clearest chance came in the 7th minute when Lobete pounced on a loose ball at the penalty spot and fired a clever shot on target. However, despite the sharp effort from the number 24, former Malaguista Dani Martín managed to deflect it wide with the tip of his boot.
Immediately after the resulting throw-in, Eldense launched a quick counterattack that left another ex-Málaga player, Sekou Gassama, through on goal. Einar brought him down in midfield as he broke toward the box, and the referee showed a straight red card (0-0, 7’).
Pellicer’s side had to regroup and focus on defensive duties to prevent the opposition, now with a one-man advantage, from capitalising. Although the home team tried to pin Málaga CF back, the Blue and Whites managed to withstand the pressure and reach half-time with a clean sheet (0-0).
In the second half, the Malaguistas managed to slow the pace of the game. However, just as things had cooled down, the home side found the breakthrough. Ortuño scored the opener in the 62nd minute to make it 1-0.
The goal didn’t dampen Pellicer’s men, who threw themselves forward in search of an equaliser. They tried everything, even finishing the match with goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero joining the attack in the opposing box, but the scoreline ultimately remained 1-0 at the final whistle.
