C.D. Leganés fights to the end but can't win at Las Palmas (2-1)

C.D. Leganés could not score at the Estadio de Gran Canaria, losing 2-1 against U.D. Las Palmas. Two cancelled goals, a shot against the post at 1-1 and two sending-offs conditioned a match in which the pepineros deserved more. Rubén Pardo scored the Blue and Whites' goal.

José Luis Martí started with an eleven in which six players were the same as in the last official match against Sevilla F.C.: Bustinza, Omeruo, Javi Hernández, Shibasaki, José Arnaiz and Sabin Merino. Both teams started trying to get the ball out of their defense while their opponents were pressing up front.

Two goals cancelled in a first half that ended with Javi Hernández being sent off.

The first shot for the Pepineros came in the 10th minute through Arnaiz, shortly before two almost consecutive goals were cancelled to Ignasi Miquel, for a suposed handball by Omeruo, and to Palencia, for offside by Javi Hernández at the start of the play. C.D. Leganés continued to look for it, with a new option in minute 23 for Sabin Merino, who received an inside pass from Rubén Pardo and whose shot was deflected just enough by Álex Suárez to miss the target.
The score was level and, before the break, Arnaiz tested Álex Domínguez with a shot that was blocked by the local goalkeeper. In added time, the Pepineros were reduced to ten men after the referee sent off Javi Hernández at the request of the VAR. With the score at 0-0, the half-time whistle was blown.

Sergio Ruiz gave Las Palmas the lead and Rubén Pardo, from a free kick, equalized.

After the restart, José Luis Martí brought on Luis Perea for Borja Bastón to restructure the team, moving Palencia to right back and Bustinza to the left. The home side had a good chance in minute 55 with a free kick by Aridai that went high. Shortly after, it was Cuéllar who cleared a powerful shot by Lemos.The Pepineros coach refreshed the attack in minute 58 with the introduction of Róber Ibáñez and Miguel de la Fuente in place of Shibasaki and Sabin Merino. However, in minute 62, U.D. Las Palmas took the lead with a right-footed shot by Sergio Ruiz that was impossible for Cuéllar. C.D. Leganés did not give up, and in minute 69 they equalized thanks to a free kick by Rubén Pardo, who scored his first goal as a pepinero.

Arnaiz hit the post, a harsh penalty in 84' and another expulsion.

C.D. Leganés did not let up, and were on the verge of completing the comeback with a double chance for Róber Ibáñez, who found himself in the path of Álex Domínguez, and Arnaiz, who crashed his left-footed shot against the crossbar. In the 72nd minute, Brandon Thomas made his debut in the Pepineran shirt, replacing José Arnaiz, but in the 84th minute, referee Galech Apezteguia decreed a harsh penalty on Bustinza, which was converted by Aridai.
In the final minutes, Bustinza himself was sent off for a second yellow card, leaving the Pepineros with nine players. There was no time for more and Leganés remained with 34 points in the table. Their next match will be on Monday, February 1 (19:00) at Butarque against C.D. Lugo.