Málaga CF and Real Valladolid faced each other in the matchday 16 fixture of LALIGA HYPERMOTION. More than 400 Málaga supporters travelled with the team to the José Zorrilla Stadium on a cold and rainy Saturday night.
Funes went with the following starting-11, the same as in the previous match against CD Mirandés: A. Herrero; Puga, Recio, Einar, Víctor; Izan M., Dotor, D. Larrubia, Joaquín, Dani Lorenzo and Niño.
The match quickly tilted in favour of the home side. The Valladolid team recovered the ball with Alfonso Herrero at the edge of the box, and Peter surpassed the goalkeeper in the 5th minute.
Both teams battled for possession in the following stages. Málaga, wearing black with a green and purple stripe on this occasion, threatened the opposing area several times but couldn’t manage a clear shot on target. The home side also had their chances, but Málaga’s defence dealt with the attacks solidly. The first half ended with the score at 1-0.
The blanquivioleta side began the second half looking to double their lead, but a brilliant Alfonso Herrero and the solid Málaga defence held off the home team’s chances.
Funes’ men gained ground as the minutes passed and began to take control of the ball. In the 59th minute, Víctor García delivered an excellent cross from the left flank that Niño headed home. The striker rose into the air and connected powerfully and precisely with the ball, which nestled beautifully into the back of the net (1-1). It was the forward’s fourth league goal.
In the 68th minute, Funes brought on Dani Sánchez and Rafa for Víctor and Dani Lorenzo, both of whom were on yellow cards. Later on, Chupe and Lobete also came on for Joaquín and Niño, respectively. “Lobo,” just after entering the field, forced a fine save from the home goalkeeper Guilherme (78’) with a dangerous shot.
In minute 80, Chuki struck the left post of Herrero’s goal in Valladolid’s best chance of the second half. Málaga pushed for a second goal and the win in the closing stages, during which the home player Alani was sent off in stoppage time (93’).
The final 1-1 score allows Málaga CF to earn their fourth point out of six since Funes took over on the Málaga bench. In total, 19 points from 16 LALIGA HYPERMOTION matches.
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