Racing came back to win at La Rosaleda after Aznou's red card

Racing Santander beat Malaga 2-1, with the hosts creating more chances than usual even after a man was sent off.

Adam Aznou's red card in the 64th minute changed this match, and it came when Malaga were already behind. Carlos Dotor had given the hosts the lead in the 28th minute, but Iker Luque equalised for Racing Santander on 50 and Yassir Zabiri put them in front on 60. Aznou had already been booked in the first half, and Malaga had the last 26 minutes to chase the game with ten men.

On the ball, neither side looked far from its usual self. Malaga had 46% of possession, a shade under their 48.8% home average, while Racing had 54%, a little above their 49.9% away figure. Possession is simply the share of time each side spends with the ball, and a result that owes so little to it is one where the chances carried the weight.

The shooting numbers tell the more interesting story. Malaga took 15 shots against a home average of 10.5, and Racing took 21 against an away average of 12.2. Expected goals, or xG, gives each shot a value for how likely it was to go in, and by that measure Malaga's 1.99 was more than double their home average of 0.89, while Racing's 2.44 was well above their away norm of 1.4. Both sides created more than usual, which is what makes this match unusual.

Dotor's goal, set up by Adrián Niño, was Malaga's only one and it was one more than their home average of 0.7. The hosts conceded two, which is almost exactly their home average of 1.9, so their defending was ordinary by their own measure. Dotor had three shots, two of them on target, and his 7.8 was the highest rating among the home players.

Racing scored twice, both in the second half, and conceded only one against an away average of 2.4. Malaga actually had more shots on target, eight to seven, and Racing scored slightly fewer goals than their chances suggested. Julen Agirrezabala made six saves at the other end, and Zabiri, who had four shots and two on target, was rated 8.2, the best mark on the pitch.

The table gives the result its weight. Malaga are 20th with five points from 11 games, and they have yet to win at home this season, with five draws and six defeats. Racing are 16th with 11 points, and their three wins have all come away from home.

Player of the matchM. Zabiri1 goal8.2

Julen Agirrezabala6 saves8.0

Carlos Dotor1 goal7.8

Iker Luque1 goal7.5