Málaga CF visited Montilivi to face Girona FC, who arrived in fourth place in the standings, on matchday 34 of LaLiga SmartBank.
For this match, Natxo González made six changes in regard to the previous match, opting for a 1-4-1-4-1 formation, with Dani Martín in goal; Víctor Gómez, Peybernes, Lombán and Javi Jiménez in a line of four defenders, Escassi as pivot; Jozabed and Febas in front, Paulino and Brandon on the wings and Antoñín at the front.
After the first ten minutes of positioning, the Malaguista team dominated play, generating up to three chances to open the scoring.
First, it was Paulino who flirted with the goal, heading a Febas cross in the 12th minute following a throw-in. A minute later, Brandon tried his luck from in front of the target, leading to two saves by Juan Carlos. Then, in the 15th minute, Febas again locked horns with the Red and White keeper.
After this stretch in which the Blue and Whites, today wearing black, found themselves comfortable on the Girona pitch, Míchel’s men sought to gain control with more leisurely possessions, only disturbing Dani Martín with a shot by Iván Martín.
The Malaguistas maintained their gameplay in the second half, in search of that well-deserved goal. Brandon made another two attempts, in 53’ a cross from the left and then again in 61’ after receiving a pass from Antoñín and crossing to the far post, where he met the Girona goalkeeper's clearance.
Natxo González introduced his first substitutions in 71’, with Antoñín and Febas making way for Kevin and Genaro, the latter who once again enjoyed minutes on the pitch, following his absence since 18th December, having overcome a meniscus injury.
Having been officially announced yesterday as a Malaguista player, Adrián made his debut in 81’, substituting Paulino.
In 82’, in an isolated and unfair action, Girona went in front on the scoreboard. Iván Martín assisted and Nahuel Bustos defined inside the area (1-0).
The Malaguistas didn’t give up and kept on insisting, despite the difficulty. In 89’, Natxo González made his final changes, bringing on Vadillo and Roberto in place of Escassi and Brandon.
The final result was a 1-0 defeat for Málaga CF, who deserved more from this match.
Next weekend, the Blue and Whites will return to La Rosaleda to face Real Valladolid on Saturday 9th at 18:15.
