C.D. Leganés achieved a very important victory in their visit to S.D. Amorebieta in Lezama (0-1). A great goal by Juan Cruz in the 77th minute gave the three points to a team that played with ten men from the 35th minute after Neyou's VAR expulsion.
Leganés took the field at Lezama with three changes in their lineup compared to the last match against Eibar: Jorge Sáenz returned to the center of the defense after serving a suspension in place of Arambarri, Miramón returned after his indisposition to take Darko Brasanac's position, and Miguel de la Fuente started at the attacking end in detriment, this time, of Diego García.
Miramón was injured and Neyou was sent off by VAR in a first half full of setbacks.
Dani Raba had the first clear chance for Leganés in minute 9, after a ball to Portillo's back that the '10' crossed too much. Next, it was Miguel who tested Campos, who caught his dry right-footed shot after Neyou's delivery. In minute 19, Borja Jiménez was forced to make his first substitution due to Miramón's injury, replacing him with Juan Cruz.
In minute 23, Amorebieta gave Lega their first scare with a set piece headed by former Lega player Bustinza, which another former player, Erik Morán, headed into the net, although the goal was disallowed for offside. In minute 35, referee Lax Franco showed Neyou the straight red card after being warned by the VAR after an action that the referee sanctioned with a caution in the first instance. Lega was down to ten men with almost an hour to play. With no more chances than a header by Unzueta that went narrowly wide, the half-time whistle blew.
Juan Cruz scored the winning goal after a great individual action.
The game resumed after the break with a double change by Borja Jiménez, who introduced Luis Perea and Darko Brasanac in place of Portillo and Raba. Lega was looking for space on the counter with one less player, trying to take advantage of a transition with Miguel de la Fuente, Juan Cruz or Luis Perea. Amorebieta had a good option in minute 55 with a long-range shot by Bustinza that went just wide, although the Blue and Whites defended their area well against the local attempts.
In minute 69, Diego García replaced Miguel in attack to look for fresh legs up front. In minute 71, Diego himself was on the verge of getting on the end of a service from Nyom from the right, but his forced shot didn't find the target. And in minute 77', the 0-1 would arrive: Nyom stole on the right flank to Juan Cruz, who cut inside and released a left-footed shot that beat Campos to score the goal that put the Blue and Whites ahead with his first goal in the Madrid shirt.
Enormous effort and defensive sacrifice to maintain the lead at a disadvantage.
In the 82', Lega made their last change, with Arambarri coming on in place of the striker Juan Cruz, who was out of sorts, to try to manage the lead. A moving Leganés defended tooth and nail against an Amorebieta team that bombarded the area with everything, but the enormous collective effort prevented the local chances from coming.
The Lega adds three very valuable points that keep them one more day at the top of the table, with 53 points. Their next match will take place this Sunday (14:00) at Butarque against C.D. Mirandés.
