Málaga send the islanders packing
The Blue and Whites score three in an emphatic win over Atlético Baleares. Roberto grabbed a brace in the first half before Ofoli scored an own goal to give the home side all three points and send them back up to third in the table.
Los Boquerones came into today’s game against Atlético Baleares with the hopes of reducing the gap between them and Castellón. The league leaders drew on Saturday afternoon against Atlético Madrid B at the Estadio Cerro del Espino. A surprise for many as Los Orelluts have been wiping the floor with most teams this season. Pellicer’s men were coming off the back of a 2–0 win over Recreativo Granada last weekend and the odds were in their favour to pick up a similar result against Atlético Baleares who sat in 17th with just four wins to their name.
The first fifteen minutes were nothing to write home about as neither side found any rhythm going into the final third. The story of Málaga’s season has been their slow starts and today was looking much the same until in the sixteenth minute, Roberto found himself on the end of a cross from new signing David Ferreiro to finish brilliantly past the keeper. Things got even better for Los Boquerones as four minutes later, a corner swung in from the right-hand side and Roberto lost his marker to fire a header into the back of the net to make it 2–0!
For the remainder of the first half, Málaga looked in control and were able to deal with any Baleares attack with ease. On the half-hour mark, Dioni whipped in a low ball across the box which found Roberto who was unlucky to not find the back of the net. His shot cannoned off the bar and the ball was cleared away. The hosts were cruising for the last fifteen minutes of the first half and headed into the break with a comfortable lead.
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The second half was as entertaining as the first and the Blue and Whites seemed comfortable hanging onto their two-goal advantage. It could have been three on the hour mark when Dani Sanchez put in a well-placed cross for Roberto but the forward was unable to convert. Málaga’s goalscorer and potential man of the match was taken off not long after for Dani Lorenzo. A peculiar decision given his superb first-half performance but perhaps Pellicer has one eye on upcoming fixtures. David Ferreiro also came off, making way for David Larrubia in the midfield. His impact was almost instantaneous as on the sixty-fifth-minute mark, he sent in a cross that Baleares defender, Ofoli, headed into his own net to make it 3–0.
It was relatively plain sailing from that point on for the Andalucians as Javier Áviles came on for his debut with fifteen minutes to go. There was a minor scare towards the end as Ofoli attempted to make amends for his own goal. His header struck the bar but the the ball was cleared away.
This win puts Málaga back in third, one point above Córdoba and twelve behind leaders, Castellón. A wonderful day out for both players and fans as Roberto’s brace now makes him the second top scorer in the division and Luke and Nick were able to see their side win. Next up for Los Boquerones is a trip to the Spanish enclave, Melilla. Pellicer will be confident of picking up another three points as Melilla are sat in 19th, six points from safety.
If you were unable to make it over to La Rosaleda this weekend, keep an eye on our YouTube channel as Chris will be uploading a matchday vlog. As well as that, we will be recording our weekly podcast which will be out next Thursday, analysing this wonderful win.
