Match Reports

Jornada 30, that means 9 games to go until the end of the season, including this one. After the disastrous run during November and December when the prospect of relegation was becoming a worrying reality, under new boss Tapia, Malaga now believe they only need a further six points or two wins from these 9 games to ensure safety. A few more points and who knows where you can end up in this league! After today, the next few games are away to Valencia and Albacete, home to champions-elect Barcelona and away to Levante. So on paper, today's opposition, Getafe, represent a real opportunity to take the first three of the points required.
On paper. This is an historic season from Madrid's fourth team (after Real, Atletico and Rayo with their Coliseum Alfonso Perez stadium holding only 14,400 spectators), being their first season ever since their foundation in 1983 that they have achieved La Liga status. Hence every game makes history as they are playing teams for the first time and visit La Roselda for the first time ever. And what a season! In their last away game they beat Real Madrid 2-1 and sit one point ahead of Malaga in the table. In 39 years old Enrique Sanchez Flores, they have one of the youngest managers in La Liga. In Sanchez Broto, they have an experienced goalkeeper, a former Malaga goalie who left the Costa del Sol to sign for Steve Archibald's Airdrie in 1999, spent three years with Livingston before becoming a Celtic player in 2002. Last season he played in La Liga for the to-be-relegated Real Murcia under John Toshack and was signed as cover for Aragoneses by Flores. The 33 year old stopper has pushed himself into the first team and has become the regular choice. Getafe play 4-4-2, with blond midfielder Rivas pulling the strings for the two big strikers Yordi and Panchon.
Getafe (4-4-2): Broto,Yanguas, Belenguer, Nano and Pernia, Cotelo, Rivas, Gabi and Vivar, Yordi and Panchon.
Malaga's team has the now familiar line-up, with Tapia keeping faith with the men who did so well for him since he took over as manager in January. There has been some transfer speculation concerning a number of Malaga's players, notably Juan Rodriguez (Liverpool), Miguel Angel (Betis) and Juanito (Deportivo). Also Amoroso may be leaving for Qatar and Baiano's future is also uncertain. There is no place for Wanchope on the bench as he is recovering from his two World Cup qualifier international matches for Costa Rica against Panama and Trinidad and Tobago.
Malaga (4-2-3-1): Arnau, Gerardo, Cesar, Fernando Sanz, Valcarce, Juanito and Romero, Juan Rodriguez, Miguel Angel and Duda, Baiano.
It's been a lovely Sunday afternoon in Malaga. It's 1700h, it's 24C, the sun is shining and Helen (no Geoff, yet again) is worried because we have not brought sun tan lotion with us. Malaga are in their familiar blue and white stripes, Getafe in all scarlet red.
There is a one minute silence before kick-off in respect of the death of "El Papa". This is a total silence from the crowd and I considered what it would be like if there was a Celtic-Rangers match on and a minute's silence was requested for the death of the Pope.
The first shot of the game is from Panchon in 4' who takes a snapshot 35 yards out, but the shot is also 35 yards wide. This wakes up Malaga who then begin to dominate play. Duda forces a spectacular one-handed save from Broto in 6' with Juan Rodriguez denied. A number of shots are fired in by Malaga in the next few minutes. First in 7' Gerardo has a go from 30 yards, then Juanito runs onto a loose ball, but his low shot is straight at Broto. Then a good effort from Juan Rodriguez looks goal bound except at the last moment it swerves just wide of the post.
Getafe show again in 12' with nifty footwork by the big No.9 Yordi as he drifts past Gerardo down their left wing, but Romero steps in and takes the ball past three players before releasing Duda with a 30 yard pass down the left wing. Cesar and Fernando Sanz are looking strong in defence although Yordi and Panchon look lively. On the centre line on 14', Fernando Sanz makes a sliding tackle on Rivas and the loose ball is picked up by Baiano on the left touchline. The Brazilian starts a run across the field, evades a tackle from Yanguas then does a step over to get past Belenguer. As Nano tries to cover, BAIANO sends in a rasping, curling shot which goes in off the post. Great goal and a candidate for some award. It's MALAGA 1 GETAFE 0
Malaga keep up the momentum and Duda again brings out a fantastic one-handed save from Broto from a free kick 25 yards out after Juan Rodriguez had been brought down. In 17' Malaga almost increase the lead as Juan Rodriguez narrowly heads wide after a neat lob from Romero. There is a scramble in the box as Baiano, Miguel Angel and Duda all have shots blocked as Malaga pile on the pressure. In 20' Duda has a great chance down the left wing with a great one-two with Miguel Angel, but his strong drive from inside the box hits the side net.
After this flurry of attacks, Getafe get back into the game and Rivas is taking the eye in midfield. The game however becomes bogged down in midfield as both teams fail to keep possession.
In 32' Juan Rodriguez brings down Yordi out wide on the left wing. Getafe get everybody up for the free kick. The kick is taken by Pernia but seems to go behind most of the Getafe players, but somehow, centreback NANO, with his back to goal, manages an amazing overhead kick which flies past Arnau to make it 1-1.
It's Getafe's first effort on target, but it's a great goal.
Half time Malaga 1 Getafe 1
In 50' the first booking of the game is Getafe's Vivar for tripping Juan Rodriguez after the big striker had left the central midfielder for dead. Duda takes but shoots straight to Broto.
In 53' it's nosebleed territory for anchor Romero as he chases a bouncing ball into the box. Broto panics and the ball goes out for a corner. Duda's corner is headed out by the defence but only to Miguel Angel, waiting 20 yards out. The stylish playmaker hits it on the volley and it screams netbound only to come crashing off the bar. The ball falls to Duda who sends it back in but Romero heads just over. Malaga are back in attacking mode and Getafe have their backs to the wall, as Juan Rodriguez, Miguel Angel and Romero force errors with their running and chasing.
In 64' Romero, who has had an excellent game. again runs into the box and forces yet another corner. He meets Duda's kick with his head but finds the sidenet.
With Getafe missing in attack, Tapia takes off Fernando Sanz in 66' and brings on Amoroso.
Two minutes later Romero is dumped in midfield. Duda's kick finds Baiano in space and the Brazilian's shot requires yet another spectacular save from Broto, who manages to get his finger tips to the ball at full length to put it out for a corner. Amoroso takes the kick but the ball is hoofed away anywhere.
Malaga go 4-2-4 trying to find the winner, with Juan Rodriguez wide right, Duda wide left and the two Brazilians, Baiano and Amoroso through the middle. Juanito has dropped back to centre half and Romero and Miguel Angel operating in midfield.
In 78' Baiano is tripped on the left 30 yards out. It's yet another opportunity for Duda (who takes all the free kicks, but rarely seems to threaten the goal). His kick this time comes back off the wall and the referee blows for a penalty for handball in the box! The crowd are ecstatic! Who will take the kick? Remember, Malaga are the only team not to have scored this season from the spot. This in fact is only their second award of the season. But wait, there is a stooshie out there on the park. The Getafe players surround the referee and chase him around the penalty box. This lasts for several minutes and the crowd are becoming restless. The referee then decides to consult his linesman. The result? Take the free kick again! Astounding! No penalty! In 45 years of watching football, I have never seen the likes of this before. (On watching the TV highlights later, the ball quite clearly comes off Nano's head, but that's not the point). Duda's retake again hits the wall, but this time the referee gives a corner. Amoroso takes it quickly, gets the return from Baiano but his shot hits the side net.
In 85' the ball is played down the right wing for Juan Rodriguez. As the ball passes way over his head Amoroso is brought down off the ball by Yordi. The Brazilian lies in a heap on the ground as the referee has no hesitation of showing the big centre a straight red card.
There's a full 6 minutes of added time, but it is not Malaga's day and they are denied the win they surely deserved.
Full-time Malaga 1 Getafe 1
Next home game is in three weeks against mighty Barcelona. Never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there!