Lega loses in Zaragoza (3-2)

C.D. Leganés failed to pick up any points in their visit to Real Zaragoza (3-2) in the sixteenth round of LALIGA HYPERMOTION. Duk and Diego García scored for the Pepineros, who ended up with nine men after Marvel and Duk himself were sent off.

Paco López made five changes to the Leganés lineup from the last matchday, forced in several cases by the absences of Rubén Peña and Lalo, who remained in Madrid due to injury, and Cissé, who was ultimately unable to be part of the squad due to discomfort. Jorge Sáenz and Diego García also did not start, with Figueredo, Ignasi Miquel, Roberto López, Melero, and Álex Millán coming into the starting eleven.

Duk put Leganés ahead in the 20th minute, finishing off an assist from Melero.

The match began with an early chance for Zaragoza, with a shot from Kodro that Juan Soriano saved with his first intervention of the game. In the 12th minute, the Blue and Whites' goalkeeper saved another attempt by the home side, this time with his foot from a shot by Francho. Lega tried to overcome Zaragoza's energetic start with a dangerous first attempt from a cross by Naim in the 16th minute, which was saved by the defense at the last minute.

In the 20th minute, Leganés took the lead: Naim crossed from the left into the box, Melero headed the ball down and Duk appeared at the far post to score the first goal of the game with his right foot and put Leganés ahead. It was his third goal of the season.

Incomprehensible sending off for Marvel after VAR review that affected the match, leaving Leganés a man down for over an hour

The key moment of the match came in the 27th minute, when the referee inexplicably sent off Marvel at the request of VAR after initially showing him a yellow card for a foul in the Pepinero number 2's attack, but changed his decision after being called for review, leaving the team with ten men for over an hour.

Paco López restructured the team, placing Diawara as the third center back and moving Duk to right wing-back, with Juan Cruz helping Melero and Roberto López in midfield. In the 35th minute, Zaragoza equalized with a header from Kodro that beat Juan Soriano to make it 1-1. The score remained tied at halftime.

Toni Moya and Francho put Zaragoza ahead in the second half

The second half began with Paco López's first substitution, restructuring the team by bringing on Saïd as left center back in place of Álex Millán, with Duk moving up to play as the most advanced player. Juan Soriano was called into action again to block a shot from Soberón with his legs, as Leganés defended themselves against the home side's attacks and looked for their moment to break out and create danger. However, in the 65th minute, Zaragoza made it 2-1 with a direct free kick converted by Toni Moya.

Paco López reacted with a double substitution, bringing on Guirao and Diego García in place of Juan Cruz and Melero. However, in the 75th minute, Zaragoza made it 3-1 through Francho. The last changes for the Pepineros were the introductions of Andrés Campos and Pauwels in place of Diawara and Roberto López.

Diego García narrowed the gap in the 89th minute, and Duk was sent off in the last play

Leganés managed to narrow the gap in the 89th minute thanks to Diego García, who converted a penalty committed on Duk to make it 3-2. However, the match ended with Duk himself being sent off in the 95th minute.

Leganés remain on 18 points in the standings and their next match will be on Thursday (7:00 p.m.) against Albacete Balompié in the second round of the Copa del Rey.