Las Palmas gained another league draw against Málaga, with neither side deserving victory. With Javi Castellano taking the place of the suspended Gaby Peñalba, Paco Herrera’s side were able to assert themselves on the pitch at La Rosaleda. For long periods of the match they moved the ball quickly around, forcing the home side to let errors creep into their own play. The script was an expected one in a game with a lot at stake. Both sides are finding it hard to kick on. Lots of horizontal passing and little quality in parts of the pitch where games are decided.
Málaga preferred to concede possession and play true to their own style, forcing errors out of their opponents and counter attacking at speed. The game seemed strange at times, with no chances created and nobody bold enough to go for goal. The first shot on goal didn’t arrive until the 35th minute with Raúl Fernández saving an effort by Alejo.
Las Palmas suddenly switched off and allowed Adrián González to score from a corner. The referee however ruled that the ball had drifted out of play before reaching the goal area and disallowed the goal.
Before half time Rubén Castro struck a free kick over the crossbar in the yellows’ most threatening move. The game seemed to grow in intensity, as the two sides settled for a draw as they went in for half time.
The second half began with the unfortunate muscular injury to Timor. He was replaced by Deivid. The game now changed gear, as Málaga looked to play wider and with added physicality. Las Palmas stayed solid at the back, while they were never able to threaten the goal at the other end defended by Munir.
The game then swung in favour of Las Palmas with the sending off for two yellow cards of home player Bare in the 58th minute. The game was being constantly interrupted with fouls. One such foul led to a straight red card for Deivid. Málaga were lifted by this and began to play as they did at the start. Neither side was better with ten men, and the game drifted into a draw, which for Las Palmas at least felt like two points dropped.
