The first official match between the Blue and Whites and the Real Sociedad de Fútbol reserve team for this chilly midweek league clash.
On the pitch, there were five changes to José Alberto’s starting-11 compared to the previous game in Oviedo. Peybernes, Javi Jiménez, Antoñín, Brandon and Roberto were new to the line-up. Xabi Alonso’s team took an early lead. Sangalli, at close range, surpassed Dani Martín (0-1, 7’), yet the home side’s reaction was immediate. Two minutes later, a fantastic cross from Antoñín on the left was headed into goal by Roberto (1-1, 9’). The second league goal for the reserve team striker.
This highly entertaining match continued with a certain tense calm until another blow from Antoñín arrived. The player from La Palmilla provided his second assist of the night. This time the ball was received by Paulino, who with his left foot scored his third goal this season (2-1, 29’).
In 34’ Sanse could have gone level with a goal from Magunacelaya in a one-on-one with Dani Martín. Before half-time, MCF narrowly missed out on increasing their lead with chances for Paulino (40’) and Genaro (41’).
The second half kicked-off with the visitors dominating play against a well-armed Málaga CF in defence. It wasn’t until the 63rd minute that José Alberto López's team arrived at the area. Genaro headed the ball over the crossbar from a very long throw-in by Javi Jiménez. In 67’, Antoñín left the pitch to a standing ovation, as he made way for another homegrown player, Kevin.
There wasn’t much change in the closing stages. Real 'B' had more possession but failed to generate clear goal actions. Whereas Málaga maintained more control with the entrance of Ramón for Brandon in 78’. As always, the fans cheered on the team with their continuous chants, acting as the amazing player number ‘12’.
In the 90th minute, the third and final Malaguista change saw Jairo come on in place of Roberto. With a clear counter-attack in 93’, Paulino could have scored another goal, but the scoreboard didn’t move again. The final result, a 2-1 victory, three more points and the fifth win of the season – all at home – 17 out of a possible 21 points from La Rosaleda fortress. Málaga CF end the first third of the competition in the top 8 of the standings, two points from the promotion playoff positions. Vamos Málaga!
