Las Palmas pays dearly for its defensive mistakes (2-1)
UD Las Palmas paid a high price for their game in Granada. They were defeated 2-1, losing their direct promotion spot and Vitolo was sent off with a straight red card. In addition, Jonathan Viera received a card in extra time, which means he will not be able to play against Levante in the next match.
It all started badly, in an afternoon with a lot of yellow colors in the stands of the Nazarí stadium. Las Palmas couldn't find their place in the first part of the game, with a rival that came out with clear depth in their pressure. The islanders felt uncomfortable from the initial whistle. The first warning was also early, by Myrto Uzuni, at 5 minutes. But the Albanian's shot went high, forced by the marking of the visiting center-backs.
Before the first quarter of an hour, Granada scored the first goal, through Melendo. The goal was an unfortunate play of defender Sergi Cardona who, involuntarily, made contact with a ball hung into the area. However, Melendo picked up the rebound and scored into an empty net.
Once again, García Pimienta's team had to face the game from behind. As the minutes passed, the yellow team began to take control, although their depth did not allow them to find a shooting zone.
The first shot by the Canarian team was by Mfulu, in the 27th minute. He had received a pass from Moleiro near the area. But the attempt by the Franco-Congolese player went high.
Although the scoreline was not in the expected direction, the game seemed to be starting to change. But an error in the pass (from Park to Mfulu) allowed Uzuni to run towards the area and beat Valles with a low shot. The 2-0 for the home team came in the 40th minute, a hard blow to go to the locker room to assimilate what happened in the first half.
The scenario changed in the second half, with chances on both goals. Uzuni missed a shot in front of Valles, shooting wide before the excitement rose with the goal of Saúl Coco, from a corner kick. The 2-1 arrived on the scoreboard at Los Cármenes in the 49th minute, with time ahead to close the reaction.
The game had taken another direction. Las Palmas continued to take defensive risks, but also managed to question that advantage of the first half.
In the 66th minute, Álvaro Jiménez had an optimal chance. But Raúl Fernández stretched to reject the shot of the yellow team. In the final stretch of the match, the merits accumulated for the visiting team, with several arrivals to the area and some complicated situations for the local goalkeeper. But the scoreline did not move, despite the fact that with ten players on the field (after Vitolo's expulsion) Granada had to lock themselves up to protect the final minimal advantage.
A new defeat that forces them to turn the page to face Levante UD, another direct rival who will pass through the Gran Canaria Stadium.
