Molina Stands Out in Pablo Páez's Alternative

The parade marking the debut of Pepe Moral in Málaga and the alternative of the Rondeño Pablo Páez began. Perhaps the least known, until yesterday, was Molina, who eventually stole the show after cutting two ears. Indeed, it could have been a grand exit through the main gate if the president had awarded the second ear in his first bull. The decision from the box was correct, although had it been granted, we wouldn't have disputed it much either. Pepe Moral also earned an award from the second and might have cut another in the fourth but he fumbled with the sword.

This bullfighting evening at La Malagueta competed with football at La Rosaleda and despite that, there was a good atmosphere with half the stands filled. It was the second lineup of breakthrough bullfighters and Molina might have earned a second evening if Morante does not finally reappear on the 20th.

The Murteira Grave bullfight came with the expectation of being the winner of last year, yet, yesterday's did not deliver, except for the third. They also did not impress in terms of build.

Molina stood out from his greeting with the cape and the start of his muleta on his knees, with a change behind his back. The second series had rhythm and the performance, class, taste, and placement, against an animal in very good condition. The well-executed and placed thrust earned him an ear. The audience even asked for the second and he decided to take two laps around the ring.

Wide in the temples and tall, the fifth bull's capote greeting by the man from Albacete was in the middle with verónicas. With an animal of bouncy charge, he signed off a long performance that did not thrill due to the animal's condition. The end came with manoletinas and the thrust was laid back and somewhat rearward. He walked another ear.

Pepe Moral faced the gate, at the second of the afternoon, his first bull in La Malagueta after sixteen years of alternativa. The animal had neither travel nor humility. It didn't want the horse. The Sevillian performed a commendable faena, extracting from where there was none. He killed with a thrust at the top, possibly the thrust of the fair, and walked an ear.

He went again to the gate of the pens, this time to a standing and dangerous bull, the encounter being somewhat accident-prone. He wanted to show off with the cape by taking the bull to the horse. His mastery was evident, catching the bull's charge with the muleta in front and making the most of what a classless and unyielding animal offered. On the left, he threw his face up. Moral, without his shoes in both performances, managed to gather series that would have been impossible in other hands. He did not succeed with the sword, losing a possible prize and received a warning.

Detached from the ground, slow and abrupt in the charge, the one that opened the lineup set the tone for the rest of the bullfight. The Rondeño Pablo Páez tried on both horns in the bull of his alternative, named Caminante, even received a warning, and ended up acknowledging an ovation.

The sixth was a bull rough in build. He could not handle it due to the difficulties it posed and although the music played the audience was not satisfied with it and opted to cut it short. The stabs left a bad taste.

About the alternative, it's worth mentioning whether it makes sense to take the step when then the repercussion does not lead you to continue bullfighting in other arenas, as the system is set up.

After today's rejoneo, the important posters of the Fair will arrive and the sold-out signs.