Málaga CF made their debut in LaLiga Hypermotion 24/25 at the Estadio A Malata against Racing Club de Ferrol this Saturday 17th August at 17:00. This much-anticipated return to the second division comes after playing last season in the Primera Federación. The match was held within a lively atmosphere with 7,541 spectators in attendance, including over 200 Málaga fans who travelled for the game.
Sergio Pellicer opted for the following starting-11 for the first match of the season: A. Herrero; Gabilondo, Nelson Monte, Pastor, Víctor; Manu Molina, Juanpe; Larrubia, Kevin, Aaron Ochoa, and Baturina.
Both teams took to the pitch with clear ideas and fought intensely for control of the game. The first 45 minutes were evenly matched.
The home side hit the post in the 8th minute and faced an unbeatable Alfonso Herrero in minute 22. The goalkeeper made a stunning save, denying a point-blank header from the heart of the area following a corner.
Three minutes later, Aaron responded with a tight-angled shot that goalkeeper Jesús Ruiz struggled to save. The homegrown player burst into the penalty area from the left side with great speed and unleashed a surprising shot, which the keeper managed to save.
In the final moments of the first half, Kevin Medina produced a moment of brilliance to seal the 0-1 lead. Playing on the opposite wing, the winger dribbled past several defenders along the edge of the box, reaching the top of the post. From there, he unleashed a powerful and precise shot, sending the ball straight into the top corner (0-1). The stunning goal brought the first half to an end.
Málaga CF came out in the second half determined to make it 0-2. Pellicer's side increased their movements into the opponent's half and posed a constant threat to the home team's goal.
As time went on, the play between both teams evened out, and the home side managed to equalise. Striker Jauregui capitalised on a rebound in Málaga’s box, scoring to make it 1-1 in the 69th minute.
After the home team's equaliser, both sides pushed for the winning goal, approaching the final stretch with ambition. First, Álex López tried his luck from the edge of the area, but Alfonso Herrero made a superb save. For Málaga, the double substitution of Lobete and Antoñito C. had an immediate impact.
Just a minute after both players came on, the newly signed player beat his marker on the wing and delivered a cross that found Gabilondo. Antoñito was there in the six-yard box to tap it in, putting Málaga CF back in the lead (1-2, 79’).
However, the Malaguista lead didn’t last long. Just four minutes later, in the 83rd minute, Jauregui once again capitalised on a rebound in the Málaga area to score his second goal and level the score at A Malata. Both teams, determined not to settle for a draw, continued to push for a winning goal. Racing de Ferrol and Málaga CF were eager to start the season with a victory.
Baturina and Antoñito led offensive actions in the final minutes, but the score remained unchanged, and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Málaga CF will play their next match on Saturday 24th August at La Rosaleda against CD Mirandés on matchday 2 of the season, with kick-off at 21:30.