C.D. Leganés overcame A.D. Alcorcón (1-0) in the derby played at the Estadio Municipal Butarque in what was the 25th LaLiga SmartBank matchday. Juan Muñoz's 65' penalty proved decisive in the pepinero victory as the team were propelled forward by a roaring Butarque crowd.
Javi Hernández with the best first half chance for Leganés
The C.D. Leganés starting XI had six changes in comparison to the lineup that opened the defeat in Burgos last week, with Riesgo, Nyom, making his return in a blanquiazul strip, Omeruo, back from international duty at AFCON, Quintillà, Juan Muñoz and José Arnaiz refreshing the team. Quintillà made good on his starter status to spearhead Leganés' first dangerous approach in the 10', producing a corner for the home side.
Possession-wise, the pepineros were indomitable, yet they were up against a rival side with a robust formation packed into the final third that allowed little space to penetrate towards goal. They looked equally threatening on their bursts of counter-attacking football, with David Fernández recording their first attempt on goal in the 41' with a free kick. The next sequence saw Randjelović leap to head a left-flank ball from Quintillà, though it lacked the required accuracy. Finally, in the 44', Javi Hernández brushed the post with his mid-range effort. The score remained level at 0-0 after 45 minutes.
Juan Muñoz scored the decider in the 65'
No changes were made to the XI during the break, but consistency looked like the right path as Quintillà led another charge to force Dani Jiménez into a serious save. Juan Muñoz began to join the fray in the 58' with an aerial attack that demanded another response from the visiting keeper. The pressure was unwavering; Randjelović probed the alfarero goal the next minute and then in the 65' the seal was broken. Galech Apezteguia awarded the home side a penalty, which Juan Muñoz coolly converted to notch his second LaLiga goal and fourth of the season in all competitions.
The 68’ minute also saw Qasmi make his pepinero debut as a substitute for Bautista, with replacements Garcés and Cissé for Rubén Pardo and Juan Muñoz. The visitors did not relent in their hunt for an equaliser and came close with two shots ricocheting off the frame. The goal threat continued without end product. Leganés' final change was Naim's introduction for Arnaiz in the 89'.
That was all as the final whistle blew; the victory leaves Leganés with 29 points in the table. Their next league fixutre is scheduled for Sunday 6th February at 21:00 (CET) in the Heliodoro Rodríguez López against C.D. Tenerife.
