Match Reports

Whew it's hot today! 27C and bright sunshine at the 17:00h Sunday kick-off time - still our seats this season are not directly in the sun, but it is still shirt-sleeve weather. 20th February? Fantastico! No Geoff for the second home game running so Helen is sitting beside me at today's game.

Malaga under Tapia has recorded three wins, one defeat and one draw and have conceded only one goal. However, at the start of today's fixtures, they sit just one place ahead of the bottom three relegation places, despite their magnificent 1-0 away victory last week at Numancia (Juan Rodriguez). So another home win is imperative. For the first time this season (probably), Tapia has a full squad to pick from, free of suspensions, injuries and international call-ups. So when the teams are announced, the big surprise is that there is no place in the team nor on the bench for Wanchope, who sits in the stand, contemplating. In fact, Tapia picks what has become his first choice eleven, in a 4-2-3-1 formation, using both Romero and Juanito as joint anchors in front of defence.
Team: Arnau, Gerardo, Cesar, Fernando Sanz and Valcarce, Juanito and Romero, Juan Rodriguez, Michel Angel and Duda, Baiano.

Espanyol (Barcelona's "other" team, who play at the Olympic Stadium) have been the surprise team of the season, sustaining a top six (European) slot all season on merit. Their manager, Lotina, has to do without de la Pena (who got his first cap for Spain in the recent thrashing of San Marino), Velamazan, Pochettino and Posse, all injured. However, he still has a strong squad with Cameroon goalkeeper Kameni, midfield supremos Alex and Fredson and goalgrabbers Maxi, Dani and Tamudo available.
Team: (4-4-2): Kameni, Jarque, Lopo, Soldevilla and David Garcia, Alex, Ito, Fredson and Maxi, Serrano and Tamudo.

Malaga win the toss and elect to kick towards the Fondo end (that's our end, for those of you who have visited La Roseleda) in the first half. But it's Espanyol who take the eye with solid passing and keeping possession. They look well organised and at first glance we can see why they currently enjoy sixth place in the league. However, in the eighth minute it's Malaga who take the lead. Duda sends a long ball into the box where Malaga have three waiting. It passes Baiano and Miguel Angel but not JUAN RODRIGUEZ who slots home from 8 yards.
Malaga 1 Espanyol 0.
It is all Malaga now and Alex is booked for a two footed foul on Duda in the 9th minute.
In 13' there is good passing down the right wing between Miguel Angel and Juan Rodriguez and finally Gerardo, but the full-back's cross into the box is too long and the danger is cleared.
The next minute and Miguel Angel finds Baiano out wide on the left touchline. The Brazilian turns sweetly and threads a pass through four defenders' legs to Romero, who in turn slips it into the path of Juan Rodriguez. The Malaga starlet takes the ball around a defender before hammering in a shot that Kameni is pleased to see bounce off his legs to safety.
In 15' Malaga keep up the pressure as Romero enters nosebleed territory (for him) with a powerful shot that Kameni does well to stop.
In 16' Duda swings in a cross from the left. Baiano is surrounded by three defenders but manages to head the ball down to MIGUEL ANGEL, who takes it on his right foot, swivels past a defender and onto his left foot and slots home from 12 yards.
Malaga 2 Espanyol 0.
Espanyol may be stunned but it's still Malaga on the hunt for more goals. In 19' Romero sends a delightful pass into the path of Baiano, whose run is timed to perfection, but Kameni and Lopo combine to stifle the threat.
Arnau's first save comes after 20 minutes, but it's easy as Maxi shoots straight into his arms from 25 yards.
In 25' the busy Miguel Angel picks up a pass from Juanito, who is a terrier in the tackle and his closing down wins a large percentage of the ball in midfield. Miguel Angel finds Baiano in the box, but as usual the lone front man is surrounded by defenders. Non-plussed, he holds onto the ball until he gets support, this time from Duda, but the little winger is offside.
The next minute and it's Espanyol getting a little bit back into the game. Midfield general, Fredson, who has been impressive with his use of the ball, this time is on the end of a cross and his header goes narrowly past and reminds us all that this game is not over.
In 28' Alex, who is clearly the dead ball expert for Espanyol taking all their free kicks and corners, has an opportunity from 30 yards after Duda brings down Serrano. It's a powerful effort but it goes wide.
Then in 33' there is a big stooshie in midfield. Miguel Angel is standing on the centre line when he receives a short pass from Juanito. In rushes Alex from behind bringing Miguel Angel crashing to the ground. It is a hideous foul and the referee is immediately surrounded by players from both sides, while Miguel Angel writhes about on the ground. At first I'm not sure what all the fuss is about, but then it becomes clear. Remember the ninth minute? Alex has already been booked! And yes, the referee produces a second yellow card and then a red one and Alex is sent off. So Espanyol are 2-0 down and now down to 10 men. The Malaga fans are delirious! We've won the game, the league, the cup, the UEFA Cup and the World Cup. You little beauty!
In 35' Malaga almost increase their lead. Whilst Espanyol are still reorganising after Alex's dismissal, Valcarce finds himself alone in the inside left slot so elects to fire in a powerful shot at goal that only just goes over with Kameni stranded.
But Espanyol are not sixth for nothing. In Tamudo, they have a tricky little striker who can produce danger from nothing and is always on the prowl. In 39' he hits a really powerful shot straight into Fernando Sanz - it's a great block but poor Fernando is pole-axed and requires treatment before he can continue.
In 41' there's a scare for Malaga as the ball breaks off Juan Rodriguez after a corner kick and Arnau has to be lively to stop the ball going in at the near post.
Then Malaga regain their attacking boots and Romero finds Baiano in the box. Similar story, surrounded by defenders, holding on to the ball, looking for support. Again it's Duda and again the winger cannot manage a shot as he is dispossessed before he pulls the trigger.
We're ready for half time and waiting for the whistle. Espanyol are not. We are into injury time and Arnau has to make two fantastic saves, one after the other, first from a snap shot from 20 yards from Maxi which he dives across goal to parry away, then secondly to Tamudo's shot after the little striker latches onto the rebound. Arnau has to get up smartly off the ground and is able to turn to shot around the post for a corner. Arnau is congratulated by his team mates and also receives loud applause and cheers from the crowd. (The double save is featured heavily later on Spanish TV as one of the highlights of the weekend).

Half time: Malaga 2 Espanyol 0

In 48' Miguel Angel receives the ball from Romero on the centre line and starts on a run. He finds he is alone so keeps running until he reaches the by-line where Jarque, who has had to run back 40 yards, sticks out a foot and the ball goes out for a corner. Duda's kick is headed clear.
Espanyol are pushing right up to the centre line and Kameni has to deal with a "pass back" from the centre circle which is bouncing 10 feet in the air! He can't handle or it's a foul and the ball is being chased by Baiano. What to do? He heads the ball vertically in the air and out of Baiano's reach, then kicks the ball back upfield before it touches the ground. Pure theatre!
In 55' Malaga go looking to extend their lead. Juan Rodriguez wins a corner on the right. Duda takes it short with Gerardo. He receives the return pass and then drives at goal. Kameni has to dive full length across his goal to stop the shot but it comes out to JUANITO five yards out and he taps into the empty net for his first goal of the season.
Malaga 3 Espanyol 0
In 60' Tote comes on for Duda. Although he hasn't shown much to date, Tote is already the crowd's favourite and receives a great cheer on his introduction to the play. Tote goes up front alongside Baiano and Miguel Angel moves out wide left.
Romero seeks out Miguel Angel in his new position and from an impossibly acute angle, the number 21 fires in a shot which Kameni has to touch onto and over the bar.
Malaga are cruising now and play becomes bogged down in midfield with a series of possession keeping passes, greeted with "Ole, Ole" at each pass. The crowd become bored and start chanting matches between each end of the ground, shouting "oh-a-oh-a, oh-a-ai" and finally, Mexican waves.
In 71' the tiring Baiano is replaced by Michel, who takes over the left wing berth and Miguel Angel returns to his more normal position in the middle of the field.
The next minute and the crowd is silenced when Serrano makes a run down the left wing and sends in a powerful cross across the goal. Cesar misses it altogether and Fernando Sanz has to slide across the goalmouth in an attempt to clear. However, DANI, who has come on Fredson, is there and he fires home from 12 yards with Arnau mesmerised.
Malaga 3 Espanyol 1
If Malaga are affected by this reverse it does not show and the players look to be playing out time (What? with 20 minutes to go? Suicide!)
Lopo is booked for a two footed challenge on Juanito in 79' as frustration at the events unfolding begin to show.
Then in 85' it happens. Serrano, who is finding lots of space down the left, hares down the wing with the Malaga defence caught upfield. They are on the run trying to catch up and Serrano spots Tamudo making a strong run into the box. Serrano's powerful cross eludes Cesar and FERNANDO SANZ, rushing to get between the ball and Tamudo, makes a strong connection and has to watch agonisingly as it goes in the wrong side of the near post for an own goal.
Malaga 3 Espanyol 2
Well, 10 men Espanyol have a second lease of life and seem to have boundless energy and determination. Malaga are now on the back foot and it's a nail-biting climax to an excellent evening's entertainment.
In 88' Gerardo is booked for bringing down Tamudo on the edge of the box. For a moment the crowd holds its collective breath, but the referee says it's outside the box and not a penalty. Maxi hits the free kick with all his might and the ball comes off Miguel Angel's head for a corner. But Miguel Angel doesn't know this as he is knocked out. There are some anxious moments as the medics attend to him and he is eventually carried off on a stretcher, where he continues to receive attention behind the goal. Edgar comes on as substitute.
There is no respite for Malaga as Espanyol bring on another striker, Jonathan, and the remaining minutes are spent in the Malaga goalmouth with last ditch clearances the order of the moment. The only cheer for Malaga fans is when Miguel Angel shakily gets onto his feet and has to be led to the dressing rooms.
Finally the referee blows for full time and nail-biting can stop.
Full time Malaga 3 Espanyol 2

Brilliant spectacle, great result and Malaga jump three places to 14th after this result and six points clear of the third relegation team in 18th place, Racing Santander (who had a brilliant 1-0 home victory themselves today over last season's champions, fifth placed Valencia.) There are no easy games for any team, which makes the league very compelling. Next week, another interesting match with Malaga making the trip up north to Osasuna, who drew 0-0 today away to Getafe in Madrid and sit in 11th place in the table.
The next home game is on Wednesday 2 March against Athletic Bilbao, who ended new manager Luxemburgo's dream of eight straight wins today by beating Real Madrid 0-2 at the Bernabeu. No matter who they are, they will get a game at La Roseleda. As always, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.