Match Reports

Whew, it was hot on Sunday for the 17:00h kick off at La Roseleda. Bright, sunny, no wind, 30C, the groundsmen had the sprinklers on right up the point when the two sets of players emerged from the long blue tunnel onto the pitch, causing a flurry of activity amongst the pitchside photographers (who had scurried away when the showers of water cascaded over them) to get back to their favoured positions.
Last week's away victory at Levante all but took the last worries of possible relegation away from Malaga, the only goal of the game coming after a long throw-in from the right touchline from Gerardo, which bounced off knees and thighs before landing in front of Baiano, who almost blew a hole the roof of the net with his powerful volley from 6 yards. Tapia has had an enforced change to his normal line-up with the injury to Juan Rodriguez, sustained in the previous home game against Barcelona. Last week, he introduced hot prospect Alexis at right back, pushing Gerardo upfield into the right wing berth. The youngster played well enough, but was out of his natural centreback position. So this week, Gerardo resumes at right back and the pacy Portuguese winger, Edgar, gets his chance to show Tapia what he can do.
Malaga (4-2-3-1): Arnau, Gerardo, Cesar, Fernando Sanz, Valcarce, Juanito and Romero, Edgar, Miguel Angel and Duda, Baiano.
Today's visitors, Villarreal (the yellow submarines) are very strong opposition and currently lie in fourth position in the table, with three games to go after this one. The top four clubs in Spain automatically qualify for the Champion's League proper, so the team with the third best defensive record (behind Barcelona and Real Madrid) are looking for the win which will keep them in this position. The goals have been coming from Riquelme and Forlan, who between them have scored 33 of the 59 goals scored in the league so far. The South American pairing, bringing the flair of the Argentinean midfielder with the striking power of the Uruguayan forward, has been made possible by the loan of the striker this year from Manchester United, where he failed to impress Alex Ferguson sufficiently last year to gain a regular place in the Red's team. This year Forlan is Spain's second top scorer behind Eto'o of Barcelona. Villarreal, managed by another Argentine Manuel Pelligrini, play an attractive, close passing game in a direct 4-4-2 formation. Celtic fans will remember how they were dumped out of Europe by this team last year.
Villarreal (4-4-2): Reina, Armando Sa, Gonzalo, Quique Alvarez and Arruabarrena, Josico, Marco Senna, Sorin and Riquelme, Lucha and Forlan.

Villarreal win the toss and Malaga kick off defending the Fondo end. We only have to wait 2 minutes for the first attack and it's from Malaga. Duda collects the ball from Juanito in the centre circle and slips the ball into the left wing channel where Valcarce is overlapping. The little fullback's cross is too deep though, as it misses both Baiano and Edgars' runs into the box.
Villarreal's first attempt comes in 8' when perseverance from Forlan wins the ball off Valcarce down their right wing. His inch perfect pass finds playmaker Marco Senna but his shot goes well wide.
Malaga come close in 12' when the lively Baiano intercepts a pass from Gonzalo with his back to goal. He spins on a sixpence and sends in snap shot which just skims past the outside of the near post.
It is all Malaga and in their next attack, Miguel Angel puts in a defence splitting pass for Edgar to run onto. The Portuguese winger is clean through and Riena has to run off his line to hoof the ball off Edgar's feet and into the upper tier of the stand.
In an effort to alleviate the remorseless attacking on his already beleaguered defence, in the 14th minute, Marco Senna, with all his other options closed down by the Malaga defence, starts a run through the middle. Romero moves into tackle him and he falls over. The referee books Romero.
Still it's Malaga who are showing and this time it's Edgar who picks up a pass from Romero and starts off on a run down the right wing. His pace and determination take him past three defenders, but with Miguel Angel and Baiano running into the box, Edgar fails to get in a good cross.
Baiano forces the first corner of the match in 18' on the left, but Reina easily collects Duda's kick. The big goalkeeper, one of the best in Spain, elects to go Route 1, as the Malaga defence scramble back after the corner. He finds Lucha on his own, one on one with Arnau and for an anxious moment looked certain to score. But the Malaga keeper, out of contract this summer and interesting Tottenham Hotspur, makes a great block and clears the danger.
In 19' Duda is brought down by Marco Senna on the left and his free kick finds Baiano, who hooks a first time shot at goal. The ball strikes the crossbar with Reina beaten.
It's an impressive start from the home team and visitors have to resort to some fine short passing and possession play to try to take the sting out of Malaga's persistent attacks.
With no way through against Malaga's tight defence, in 25' Reina again opts for Route 1 with another long kick out his goal. Again Lucha is alert and again there is some panic at the back as Valcarce has to concede Villarreal's first corner. Riquelme's kick is headed clear by Fernando Sanz.
Baiano is showing commitment and invention up front and wins the ball after harrying Quique Alverez. On his own, he runs at the goal but has to pass back to find support. Romero collects the ball but gives it away to Sorin.
In 29' Villarreal make their first substitution as the long haired Sorin is withdrawn and Calleja takes his place.
With this change, Villarreal start to take control of the midfield and now it is Malaga's turn to keep possession along the back four as there is just no way forward past the tightly marking Villarreal team. In 34' Josico finally loses control and fouls Romero in an attempt to win back possession. He is rewarded with a booking from the referee.
In 37' Gerardo tries a long throw from the left. He finds Duda but the little Portuguese winger's attempt is high and wide.
In 41' Baiano dispossesses Riquelme on the left and makes a run down the wing. He is supported by Duda who receives Baiano's pass inside and hits a thunderbolt towards goal. It looks goal bound into the top right hand corner when Reina makes a first class save diving full length across goal. The big keeper manages to get a finger tip to the ball and push it onto the crossbar and away.
Half time Malaga 0 Villarreal 0
The groundsmen again switch on the sprinklers during the interval in the heat of the Sunday afternoon. There is very little shade in the ground which has very little in the way of enclosures or cover (this is the second season in a row in which I have not encountered any rain at all at any home game).
In 48', Forlan, who has been kept very quiet by the imposing defence of the giant Cesar and quick Fernando Sanz, has his first try at goal, but it's weak and goes straight into Arnau's waiting arms.
In 52' it's Forlan again and this time he is closer with his snapshot rasping past the far post.
The next minute and Malaga win a free kick, which Duda takes quickly. Baiano makes the run into the box but Reina manages to scoop the ball of the Brazilian's head.
Malaga have had the bulk of the play, possession and look the most menacing, having had the two closest efforts so far, both coming off the crossbar and Reina has been by far the busiest keeper. However, the entire game turns in the next few minutes. In 55 minutes, Calleja, who has been very energetic in midfield since coming on as a substitute, makes space for himself about 30 yards out. He sends in a shot which has Arnau scrambling to his left and smothering before the onrushing Forlan can get to the loose ball. This is what Geoff and I were watching. As Arnau gets back to his feet, we realise that the referee is reaching for a card. It's yellow, quickly followed by a red and Romero is sent off! We did not see any offence and can only guess that perhaps Romero had made a late tackle on Calleja - who knows? Romero had been previously booked in the 14th minute so was sent off for a second bookable offence. So, for the second home game running, Malaga find themselves down to 10 men with more than half an hour to go.
Riquelme takes the free kick but it goes well over.
In 59' Edgar is dumped on the edge of the box whilst running in on goal. No booking or red card, although the Malaga fans scream loudly enough at the referee. Duda takes the kick and it's beaten Reina all ends up and comes back off the crossbar! Third time the bar has been struck.
In 62' The play moves up to the other end where RIQUELME hits a speculatative shot through a crowded penalty area and with Arnau unsighted, the ball enters the net at the near post.
Malaga 0 Villarreal 1
Two minutes later and Villarreal go two up. In the 65th minute, CALLEJA, who has made a big impact on this game since his introduction in the 29th minute, again finds himself some space 30 yards out. There appears to be no danger but he hits a sweet curving shot which bends away from Arnau and into the net in the top left corner.
Malaga 0 Villarreal 2
For a team hardly at the races, they are now two up against ten men!
Malaga make a double substitution immediately. Baiano and Edgar go off to be replaced by Michel and Wanchope. The lanky Costarican goes right up front in direct replacement for Baiano, but Miguel Angel moves wide right to allow Michel the central midfield berth, with Juanito, the lone anchor in front of defence.
Malaga's ten men still look the most menacing and purposeful and Michel seems very comfortable in the centre of midfield as Malaga regain their grip of the game. Juanito finds Duda wide on the left in the 71st minutes and the diminutive winger sprints into the box and hits a rasping shot from 7 yards, which beats Reina yet again, but comes off the .................... crossbar! Fourth time!
In 75' Duda is replaced by Tote. There is still a feeling that if Malaga can get one back, they could still have a chance of taking something from this game, as, even with 10 men, they seem to have the upper hand.
In 77', the quiet Forlan is replaced by big midfielder Hector Font, as Villarreal try to hang on.
The tactic seems to be paying off as Villarreal's tight possession and close, one-touch passing, stifle Malaga's threat.
In 86' Marco Senna is replaced by Pena.
In 90' Wanchope has a great chance for a consolation as Michel's centre finds the 8'2" striker alone in front of goal, but he shoots tamely at Reina, who gathers the ball easily.
Full time: Malaga 0 Villarreal 2

Seems like the story of the season. Malaga played well enough, made enough chances to win the game, matched supposedly superior opposition across the park and end up losing. You have to believe that all that is missing is a lethal striker to convert some of these chances and half chances and Malaga would be several positions up the table and challenging for some sort of honours. However, with three games to go - away to Real Sociedad, home to Racing Santander and away to local rivals Sevilla in the last game, we will have to wait until next season.