Impressive Castellón overcome Málaga in high-octane opener (2-1)
The Albinegres were the better team throughout and get their season off to the best possible start.
Dick Schreuder’s teams do not mess about. Castellón executed on the plan and outplayed Málaga in an intense battle to give them all three points and make a statement on the first day of the season.
It was a blistering start, with Cristian almost giving Castellón the early lead, but his looping cross hit the crossbar. They possibly should have had a penalty, but a foul by Málaga was deemed to have been just outside the box.
It didn’t matter though, as minutes later Castellón took the lead through Haris Medunjanin, who pounced on the rebound from Isra Suero’s initial shot which was well saved by Herrero. It was a beautiful ball over the top that surprised the Málaga defence, leaving them shell shocked and behind after a dominant first 15 minutes from the Albinegres.
Castellón continued their pressure and had a great chance to go in front 10 minutes later, but Raúl Sánchez somehow put it wide. It was only on 34 minutes that Málaga had their first real chance, but the header went over.
However, they leveled soon after, totally against the run of play, after Castellón were deemed to have handled in the box. Dioni hit the post with his initial attempt, but Málaga’s Genaro was quickest to the rebound.
Another cross from Salva Ruiz caused trouble for Málaga just before the end of the half, and the first 45 minutes ended with a chorus of boos for the referee from the home fans.
There were worrying scenes for Raúl Sánchez barely a minute into the second half, as the Castellón forward was knocked out and taken off on a stretcher after a clash with the Málaga keeper. Despite the setback, the Albinegres did not let up, and a header by Cristian was well caught by Herrero in the Málaga goal.
Málaga responded with their best chance of the second half after 60 minutes, but Sangalli’s long-range effort was well tipped over by Crettaz. Despite a period of continued Castellón dominance, it was Málaga substitute Kevin Medina who made Crettaz work again, the Argentine getting down well to save a powerful low drive from 30 meters out. It became a hat trick of saves on 80 minutes, as Málaga dialed up the pressure, with Dani Lorenzo failing to beat the Castellón keeper after being played through.
The Albinegres came back after a marauding Herrero briefly allowed Medunjanin the sight of an open goal, but he was quickly closed down and only a corner resulted.
Sometimes though, an individual moment of brilliance is all that’s needed, and that’s what Castellón got when substitute Jesús De Miguel cut into the box from out wide, beat his man, and coolly slotted home to send Castalia into a frenzy and give Castellón the lead with two minutes left in normal time.
Óscar Gil’s sending off for a second yellow did nothing to sour the mood, and although Málaga pushed hard during the nine minutes of added time, they only managed to put the ball in the net from an offside position, much to the relief of Castalia.
Dick Schreuder: “From what I’ve seen today, I’m very happy. I hate defending the one point. If you want to win, you have to put strikers on. You have to go for a win, and if you go for it, a lot of times you will get it. The fans in Castellon are crazy and passionate about football, it will be very difficult for teams to win when we’re at home if they continue like this.”
Castellón XI: Crettaz, Alberto, Indias, Óscar Gil, Manu Sánchez, Salva Ruiz (De Miguel 80), Calavera, Cristian (Borja 90), Medunjanin (Carles 90), Suero (Gronning 80), Raúl Sánchez (Fale 46)
Málaga XI: Herrero, Gabilondo, Einar, Juande (Monte 46), Juanpe, Victor (Murillo 46), Genaro, Sangalli, Hernández (Medina 70), Dioni, Roberto
Referee: Armando Ramos Andrés