Málaga CF were away to SD Huesca at El Alcoraz on matchday 11 of LaLiga SmartBank. Both teams arrived at this game separated by a point, 14 for the rival and 13 for the Blue and Whites.
José Alberto López opted for a 1-4-4-2 formation. Dani Martín was in goal; the line of four defenders was made up of Víctor Gómez, Peybernes, Lombán and Javi Jiménez; with Escassi and Genaro on the double pivot; Paulino on the right wing and Kevin on the left; Brandon acted as a second striker whilst Sekou, making his debut in the starting-11, was more upfront. In regard to the previous match, Lombán, Escassi, Paulino and Sekou replaced Juande, Ramón, Jozabed and Roberto.
The locals got off to a strong start, generating two opportunities in the initial minutes. In 5’, a Florian Miguel shot went wide from the left of the area. Immediately afterwards, former Malaguista Joaquín, who was highly active in the initial stages, created the best chance of the first half when he hit the post from more than 30 metres away following a Dani Martín clearance.
The Blue and Whites, dressed in white shorts today, also had a chance to take the lead. In minute 18, Brandon gained possession from local keeper Andrés Fernández inside the area, who rallied to eliminate the danger.
Escriche narrowly missed out on a goal for the home side, in a one on one with Dani Martín in 28’, but his shot missed the goal by centimetres. Two minutes later, Javi Jiménez sent the ball into the area that Paulino crossed into the hands of the local goalkeeper, where Sekou was around to finish. Huesca had a couple more chances in the first half; a shot from Nwakali that went wide and an east save for Dani Martín from a Buffarini attempt. Huesca’s Joaquín sustained injury and was forced to abandon play in 38’, with Lombardo taking his place. The last notable action of the first half was a Lombán header that went high following a Víctor Gómez free kick.
Lombán, the last to generate an opportunity of the first 45 minutes, was the first to come close to opening the scoring in 49’. A cross from Víctor Gómez was headed by Lombán to the post. The clearance was finished off by Genaro and saved by Andrés Fernández, but that second play was declared offside.
The Malaguistas were highly dominant on the attack and three minutes later, in 52’, Sekou had a chance that was stopped in its tracks by the keeper, and Lombán’s attempt in the rebound was repelled by the defence. The match maintained a high rhythm. In an exchange of goal chances, Lombardo hit the post, this time to the left of Dani Martín. Málaga continued to advance, feeling more comfortable on the pitch and setting the pace of play.
Escassi, with a masterful long-range free kick, forced Andrés Fernández to fly to save the goal that slipped to his left. The opportunity was preceded by a foul received by Paulino faced with three rival defenders. Nwakali tested Dani Martín from a distance in minute 73, but the Malaguista, very secure throughout the game, saved the attempt without a problem. José Alberto made a double substitution in 84’ to refresh the physically exhausted team. Roberto and Jozabed came on in place of Sekou and Kevin.
In 87’, referee Gálvez Rascón disallowed a Genaro goal after a VAR check. The action started with a Jozabed corner, it was picked up by Paulino, cleared by Cristian Salvador, picked up by Peybernes, in an advanced position after the rebound, and finished by Genaro. Neither side managed to get a goal during the remainder of play. Marc Mateu sent a free kick high for the locals, whilst the Malaguistas could have scored from a late corner kick.
Málaga CF claimed a well-earned point at such a difficult ground as El Alcaraz, to reach 14 and stay in a mid-table position. On Saturday at 20:30 the Malaguistas will host CD Lugo at La Rosaleda on matchday 12.
