Match Reports

A New Year, three weeks holiday from football, Malaga falling into the relegation zone after last week's 2-1 defeat away to Racing Santander, with Malaga's goal scored in the 85th minute by Cesar Nevas at a corner, resulting in the resignation from Manager Manzano. A "new" manager, Antonio Tapia, promoted from Malaga B and given to end of the season to prove himself. A new manager appointed for Malaga B, former Spain international, Jose Maria Bakero, also until the end of the season. A new signing for Malaga in the January window, Michel, from Real Murcia, an experienced midfielder, with a flair for attacking and scoring. Whew!
The media reported that under new coach Tapia, Malaga were undergoing double training sessions, which were "meticulous" in detail. It was announced midweek that Tapia would take over from Manzano and coming from Malaga B, he was already well acquainted with the team and most of the members of the squad have graduated from his B team over the past few years.
His first game, a game against fierce local Andalucian rivals Sevilla, who are still in the UEFA Cup and performing well in La Liga, going into tonight's game occupying 5th place, whereas Malaga rest in 18th place. However, it was an interesting team selection from Tapia, with Arnau making his first appearance in goal after Calatayud had held the berth for 18 consecutive matches. Also, there was no start for top-scorer Wanchope, nor new boy Michel. Usual suspect Miguel Angel was suspended and Romero injured, so there was a potential problem in midfield. Not for Tapia - Juanito, who has been playing as a centre back in partnership with Fernando Sanz all season, found himself in midfield alongside Leko, with the giant Cesar Nevas in defence. Also, there was a return for out of form left winger Duda and Gerardo came back after suspension, in 4-5-1 set up, with Amoroso up front on his own, but supported by the willing Edgar and Juan Rodriguez, when Malaga were on the offensive.
Malaga (4-5-1): Arnau, Gerardo, Cesar Nevas, Fernando Sanz, Valcarce, Edgar, Juanito, Juan Rodriguez, Leko and Duda, Amoroso.
On the bench were Calatayud, Wanchope, Luque, Giejo, Paco Estaban and Usero - the latter three all taken from Malaga B this season, with Cesar Nevas, Juanito and Juan Rodriguez making it six from the 17 squad members drawn from Tapia's former charges.
Sevilla came to La Roseleda having won only two of their nine away games so far, the last notably just before Christmas when they beat Real Madrid and sounded the death-knell for Comacho as the Blanco's manager. However, in Brazilian Baptista, they have a prolific scorer and perhaps this was why Tapia fielded three centre-halfs. Sevilla adopt a 4-2-3-1 system, which is more attack minded that the usual eleven men behind the ball and counterattack-at-pace approach, so common in Spanish football, but very successful for Valencia last season (and Chelsea this season).
Sevilla (4-2-3-1): Estaban, Ramos, Navarro, Aitor Ocio, David, Alves, Marti, Renato, Jesuli, Baptisto and Aranda. There was no place for strikers Carlitos, Antonito or former Malaga favourite Dario Silva, showing the depth of talent in this squad.

It was a full house, with a sizable showing from Sevilla in the away crowd section, a bit surprising as it was a 10 pm kick-off and Sevilla is a good two hour plus drive. It was a mild 15C at kick-off, which Sevilla took, kicking towards the Fondo end.
There is a great atmosphere in the ground and an air of expectation and uncertainty you always experience when it is the first game under a new manager. Malaga looked bright and busy but in 5 minutes it was Sevilla who first threatened the goal when Cesar Nevas had to bring down Baptista just outside the box as the Brazilian bore down on goal. However, Renato's free kick came to nothing and the ball goes out for a throw.
The unusual set-up for Malaga seems well bedded in (meticulous training?) with Cesar Nevas dominant in the air in defence and Juanito likewise in midfield. In 8' Juanito wins the ball in the centre circle and releases Juan Rodriguez. The big midfielder slips a neat pass into the path of Amoroso, whose first time shot just skimmed the outside of the post with Estaban beaten and the crowd on its feet.
The next minute Gerardo takes a freekick wide on the left, but his screamer goes wide of the far post.
Then it's Duda's turn to take a free kick, but his shot goes straight into the defensive wall.
It's all Malaga and after a series of short passes from the midfield, Edgar has a great chance to put the home side ahead, but Estaban dived at full stretch to his right to deny the Angolan/Portuguese at the near post. The next minute Edgar goes on a run down the right wing and whips in an inviting cross but it's just beyond the onrushing Amoroso.
In 16' it's the first booking of the game as Navarro is cautioned after a high tackle on Duda.
It's 20 minutes before Sevilla really make any sort of impact since the opening moments and again it's Baptista who forces Fernando Sanz to make an excellent tackle to gain a corner. It's taken by Renato (was Rene in the stand?) but Arnau meets it with his fist and punches the ball well clear.
Sevilla pose more danger at a free kick, but fortunately it's centre back Aitor Ocio who finds himself clear and before he can shape up for a shot, Arnau is out to collect the ball off his feet.
In 31' the big Sevilla number 9, Aranda, goes on a run right down the middle and gets past both Cesar Nevas and Fernando Sanz for the first time and again Arnau looked alert and scooped the ball away from his feet to avert the danger.
It's all Sevilla now and some slick passing down the left wing has Baptista running onto the ball, except Fernando Sanz got there first and made another clean tackle.
Some frustration creeps in as Duda is booked for a late tackle on Renato after 39'.
Juanito picks up a loose ball (as was his wont this evening) in the centre circle and sent a looping pass out wide down the left for Duda to run onto. With Amoroso, Juan Rodriguez and Edgar all available in the box, instead he elects to blast the ball well over the bar.
In 43' it's Fernando Sanz to the rescue again as he has to make another telling tackle to deny Aranda.
On 45' the last attempt of the half falls to Edgar who heads over after some fine work by Valcarce on the left wing.

Half-time Malaga 0 Sevilla 0

Within 30 seconds of the restart, Malaga almost take the lead. Edgar is brought down on the right wing. Duda floats one into the box and Juanito makes a good connection. Another fine save from Estaban keeps the scores level.
In 52' Gerardo finds Edgar on the right but the speed merchant is again brought down, this time by David. From 35 yards, Gerardo has a go and his shot is almost deflected past his own keeper by Aitor Ocio, but Estaban manages to make the save on the line.
In 54' Edgar slips the ball to Amoroso who's able to spot Juan Rodriguez's run with an excellent through ball. The big midfielder put everything into his shot which Estaban got behind, but required treatment after being winded.
In 57' Amoroso is clearly disappointed when his number 9 is shown on the board on the sidelines and he is replaced by Wanchope.
Wanchope is in the thick of things soon, closing down on Navarro who had collected the ball from Estaban and forcing the centre half to concede a corner.
Malaga seem to be getting back on top again and there is a sustained period of pressure with shots raining in from Juan Rodriguez, Leko, Wanchope, Duda and Edgar as the Sevilla defence fail to clear their lines.
In a rare moment of relief, Sevilla win a freekick on 65' and Baptista's effort is so close we are all holding our collective breath. But the ball goes wide!
From Arnau's kick, Edgar appears on the left and is able to lob the ball towards Juan Rodriguez. Aitor Ocio manages to steer the ball away from the Malaga player towards his goalkeeper, but WANCHOPE is alive to the possibilities and forces himself between the defender and keeper to nudge the ball over the line and score. To say the team, crowd and public address system went wild is a huge understatement.
Malaga 1 Sevilla 0
Although there is 25' still to play in the half the game is over as Sevilla's every attack is snuffed out by Fernando Sanz and Cesar Nevas in defence and Juanito winning everything in midfield. Malaga did have a few opportunities to increase their lead, but in truth they were very happy to settle for 1-0 and three points.
The final whistle came with Tapia killing the game with time wasting substitutions, with Leko coming off for Usero and Duda off for Giejo. Goodbye Manzano, Hello Tapia. What a start for the new manager! But no opportunity for new boy Michel, whose time will surely come next week, when the mighty Atletico Madrid come to town. Never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Full-time Malaga 1 Sevilla 0