ANDMálaga returned to action with a 3-3 draw against Leicester City in the first preparation test of the blue and white team. The Banús Football Center was the scene of a match in which the goals ended up prevailing over the game and which had a frenetic outcome. Pacifier, Aaron Ochoa and Carlos Dotor They were the authors of the Malaguistas’ many goals in an afternoon that served to get back in touch with the competition.
Juanfran Funes presented a starting eleven composed of Carlos López, Juani, Santaella, Recio, Dani Sánchez, Pablo Arriaza, Rafa Rodríguez, Juan Cruz, Joaquín Muñoz, David Larrubia and Eneko Jauregi. The winger, who had recently joined the team, thus played his first minutes in the Málaga shirt.
The blue and white team took a while to get into the game. The first clear opportunity was for Leicester and forced Carlos López in the 9th minute. The goalkeeper was once again the protagonist in the 40th minute, when he stopped a one-on-one against Alves. However, between both actions came the first goal of the afternoon. In the 25th minute, a corner kick taken by Page ended directly in the Malaguista goal after Carlos López failed to clear the ball. The goalkeeper claimed a possible foul, but the referee validated the goal.
Málaga barely found space during a first half with little offensive rhythm. Larrubia had the last chance before the break with a left-footed shot that went over the crossbar. Leicester went to the locker room with a minimal lead.
Funes completely changed the team after passing through the locker room. Andrés Céspedes, Lobete, Otu Jr, Izan Merino, Óscar González, Dani Lorenzo, Dotor, Aaron Ochoa, Haitam, Niño and Chupete entered the field of play. The coach also opted for Lobete as a right back and for an offensive duo that gave another air to the team.
The change was quickly noticed. Child He had the first opportunity of the second half, although his shot inside the area ended up in the hands of the English goalkeeper. Shortly after the tie came. In the 52nd minute, Aaron Ochoa He put the ball low from the corner and Chupete appeared to finish the play with a shot at the near post.
The forward was close to repeating shortly after. His powerful shot from the edge of the area, deflected slightly by a defender, ended up crashing against the post. The Malaguistas’ insistence was rewarded in the 65th minute. Aaron Ochoa received from the front, left two rivals behind with a great cut and stood in front of the goalkeeper to complete the comeback.
The match then entered a round-trip phase. Leicester managed to level the score again in the 79th minute thanks to Ali and, from then on, the match became a constant exchange of chances. Céspedes avoided the third English goal in the 86th minute with a great stop, although just a minute later he was unable to repeat the intervention. Neale took advantage of a rebound on the edge after a corner kick and put the British ahead again.
Goal over the bell
It seemed that Málaga was going to start the preseason with a defeat, but there was still one last action. In added time, Funes’ team found the tie after a great combination between Dani Lorenzo, Izan Merino and Chupete. The play ended in the boots of Dotor, who did not forgive to establish the final 3-3.
Málaga thus closes its first preseason friendly with a draw in a match in which it showed two faces and which left more goals than football conclusions. The next match will come next Thursday, July 30, starting at 8:00 p.m., against Al-Ittihad.