There was a great atmosphere in the stands at Martiricos (27,212 spectators) on a slightly rainy afternoon, with the team stepping out in the ‘Legado’ kit to mark Retro Matchday in LaLiga’s First and Second Division.
Funes made two changes to the lineup compared to the previous match in A Coruña. Dotor, back from injury, came into midfield in place of the suspended Izan Merino, while Niño replaced the unfit Larrubia, forming a front two alongside top scorer Chupe.
The first quarter of an hour was evenly contested, with UD Las Palmas showing their usual defensive solidity and good control of the ball when in possession. In the 27th minute, the visitors had their clearest chance, with a shot from Jesé that went just wide of the left post.
Chupe came close to scoring in the 35th minute after a brilliant individual run, beating two defenders. Four minutes later, from a similar area on the left side of the box, Joaquín tested the keeper with a dangerous curling effort. At half-time, the score remained goalless.
At the start of the second half, just two minutes in, Juanpe was taken off and replaced by Rafa Rodríguez. Another homegrown player, Aaron Ochoa, forced Horkas into action after a good move down the left wing in the 49th minute.
And it was the Irish-born number 35 who played a key role in the opening goal for the home side. ‘Joako’ won a corner, Aaron delivered it from the right, and Diego Murillo rose to power a superb header into the net (1-0, 57’).
Shortly after, Funes made a double substitution: Dorrio and Ramón, who was back wearing the Málaga shirt at La Rosaleda more than a year later, came on for Aaron Ochoa and Niño in minute 64. Málaga were clearly on top and proved it again with the second goal. Joaquín was lethal on the counterattack, finishing with a superb strike that flew into the net (2-0, 68’).
The euphoric fans were carrying their team through the match, aware of the importance of the win against a side also sitting high in the table. Meanwhile, Las Palmas barely threatened Alfonso Herrero’s goal until the closing stages, when Jonathan Viera hit the post in the 87th minute. In the same minute, Lobete and Darko, both back after a long spell out injured, replaced Dotor and Joaquín.
After five minutes of added time, during which Lobete and Dorrio both had chances to extend the lead further, the referee brought the match to a close with a 2-0 win for Málaga CF. It’s now nine matches unbeaten, and three more points take them to a total of 60, placing the Blue and Whites provisionally in 3rd place, inside the promotion playoff spots.
Vamos, Málaga!