Málaga CF came up against CE Sabadell for the first time in an official match, at the Nova Creu Alta Stadium on matchday 11 of LaLiga SmartBank. Antonio Hidalgo, well-known to Malaguismo, is the Sabadell coach.
There were four new additions to the Malaguista starting-11, wearing yellow today, in relation to the previous league game. Ismael Casas featured on the right wing after several weeks out of action due to injury; Mejías returned to the axis of three central defenders; Jairo was on the attack; along with Julio who made his starting debut in LaLiga SmartBank.
The first half got underway and the Malaguistas were raring to go, generating the first opportunity a few seconds after kick-off, the work of Chavarría, whose shot was halted by Mackay. In 13’, Néstor – the most incisive of the locals on the attack – tested out Dani Barrio following a counter-attack. After the first quarter of an hour, Iván Calero put the Malaguistas in front. Luis Muñoz started the play in midfield, to allow the right-back to open the scoring with a precise cross into goal. The joy was short-lived for Pellicer’s men, as in 19’ the locals went level with a header from Néstor following an Ozkoidi cross from the left. From then on, Hidalgo’s team had the best chances to take the lead, with attempts by goal-scorer Néstor and Stoikchov denied by Dani Barrio. An active Julio, with a deflected shot, created the last chance for the Malaguistas in the first half.
Cristian joined the match in the second half and his first action was a lateral free kick that Julio skied. The pace of play reduced somewhat compared to the first half and changes took place on both sides. In 75’. One of the players who came on in the second half, Yanis Rahmani, launched a perfect cross from the left with his right foot, that Chavarría headed into goal. The Malaguistas knew how to minimise Sabadell’s attempts, who sought an equaliser to no avail, to seal a very hard-fought win.
Málaga CF now have 17 points from 11 games, moving up the table. The next match for Pellicer’s men is on Sunday 15th November against SD Ponferradina at El Toralín.
