A summer evening in La Línea de la Concepción, with Malaguista fans present in Cádiz despite the high temperatures. Málaga CF and Córdoba CF, both newly promoted to LaLiga Hypermotion, tested their strength against each other one week before the start of the season.
Sergio Pellicer opted for the following starting-11: Alfonso Herrero; Jokin Gabilondo, Pastor, Nelson Monte, Dani Sánchez; Izan Merino, Manu Molina; Larrubia, Ochoa, Kevin; Baturina.
Málaga took the lead very early. David Larrubia, after an excellent individual effort, dribbled past two defenders and finished with his right foot (1-0, 7’). A superb goal. The match started with intense pressure and good transitions from the Malaguista squad, while Iván Ania's Córdoba created a threat in the 18th minute with a long-range, dangerous shot from Albarrán.
In the 26th minute, Albarrán hit the post. On the rebound, Alfonso Herrero prevented the equaliser. After a brief hydration break, Baturina had a good chance in minute 33. The match, intense and entertaining, featured a few yellow cards issued by the Málaga referee Melero López, including one to former Blue and White captain Genaro. At halftime, the score was 1-0.
In the second half, Pellicer made nine substitutions. Herrero and Ochoa stayed on the pitch, while Puga, Galilea, Murillo, Víctor, Sangalli, Juanpe, Antoñito Cordero, Dioni, and the latest Málaga reinforcement, Julen Lobete, came on. The substitutions were completed with Carlos López replacing Herrero in the 65th minute and Chupete coming on for Ochoa in minute 79.
The pace of the match slowed somewhat, although Alfonso, who never rests, made his third notable save in the 54th minute. Málaga continued to showcase their solid and vertical football, and Cordero could have increased the lead in 58’ with a powerful shot that hit the crossbar. The second goal for MCF came in the final stretch, with a classy assist from Ochoa to Juanpe, who fired a powerful shot into the opponent's net from inside the area (2-0, 73’).
Dioni had a chance for 3-0 with a shot that was cleared off the line by the Córdoba goalkeeper in the 84th minute. Three minutes later, Chupete also had an opportunity to get a goal, but the score remained unchanged, ending with a 2-0 victory for Pellicer's side. The final friendly was successfully completed before the official start of the season next week, away from home against Racing de Ferrol.