UD Las Palmas Ends Tough Afternoon in Mendizorroza (2-0)
Luis Carrión's side had more possession throughout the match against an opponent who was ruthless with their chances in Cillessen's area.
UD Las Palmas faced a defeat in Vitoria against Alavés (2-0) on Sunday, marking their first setback of the season. The yellow team controlled the game, but their opponents were lethal in the moments they reached the visitors' area. Carlos Vicente and Martínez scored for Alavés, and it was a difficult afternoon with a third penalty awarded against them this season. However, Luka Romero missed the penalty, shooting wide of Cillessen's goal.
The close scheduling of matches encouraged UD Las Palmas coach Luis Carrión to make three changes to the lineup from the previous Thursday's game. Jaime Mata, Viti Rozada, and Manu Fuster started this match, with a lineup resembling the one that drew with Real Madrid.
Despite the good play from the visitors, UD Las Palmas faced a tough challenge in Vitoria. Alavés scored the opening goal early through Carlos Vicente, after a quick play and cross into the heart of the area.
The islanders took a few minutes to regain their rhythm, and 7 minutes after the first goal, they had a chance to equalize. Jaime Mata escaped his marker after a long pass from Javi Muñoz, controlled the ball in the area, but his shot was blocked by goalkeeper Antonio Sivera.
Sivera was also involved in another save 25 minutes in, this time from Kirian's shot from the edge of the area.
Las Palmas dominated possession throughout the first half (77%), but Alavés proved dangerous whenever they entered the area. Alavés scored a second goal through Conechny in the 38th minute, but VAR reviewed and disallowed the goal due to an offside position, similar to the disallowed goal for Viti against Real Madrid.
The score was 1-0 at halftime. Coach Carrión tried to change the game with the introduction of Moleiro. Just as it seemed the islanders were regaining their footing, Alavés scored their second goal with a long-range strike by Toni Martínez that Cillessen could not stop.
Moments before, Moleiro had a good chance that was denied by Sivera. Despite the adversity, Las Palmas continued to fight to reduce the damage, but in injury time, the referee awarded a penalty to Marvin Park. Luka Romero missed the penalty, further compounding the visitors' troubles.
Deportivo Alavés 2, UD Las Palmas 0
