Match Reports

Sunday 20 November 2005: 17:00h
This week's visitors come all the way from the heart of the Basque Country, from the beautiful seaside resort of San Sebastian on the Bay of Biscay. Real Sociedad had beaten Malaga on their last three visits to La Roseleda, including last season's thrashing 1-5 which signalled the end for Malaga's then manager Manzano. The good news for Malaga fans is the absence of Darko Kovacevic, who has scored 4 times in 9 outings this season and scored twice in last season's encounter. Also, his usual strike partner, the little Turkish striker, Nihat, is recovering from an injury and starts on the bench. They play with a defensive midfielder, Alonso, in front of the back four, another four in midfield, with a lone striker upfront.

Real Sociedad: (4-1-4-1): Reisgo; Rekarte, Labaka, Jauregui and Garrido; Alonso; Xavi Prieto, Gari, Novo and Aremburu; Bakero.

Malaga, after Deportivo snatched a draw from them two weeks ago, stay with the team and the 4-4-2 formation that has brought them some success in the last few matches;
Malaga: (4-4-2): Arnau; Alexis, Cesar, Fernando Sanz and Valcarce; Edgar, Juan Rodriguez, Gerardo and Nacho; Salva and Counago.

It's been a windy day today and we found it quite cold at petanca, having to put on a jersey to keep warm, but at La Roseleda, the corner flags lie limp and it feels quite warm in another 25,000 capacity crowd. The new stand on the main road has progressed with a big step in construction since our last visit, with the huge concrete structure rising from the ground to our right, offering more shelter from the elements (whatever they are). The mild climate must be quite a shock to Real Sociedad as last week the whole of the north of Spain was covered in deep snow and the ski season has started early in both the Pyrenees and also, closer to home, in the Sierra Nevada in Granada. Enough of the weather, what about the game, I hear you rant!

It was Real Sociedad who started the more briskly. They win the toss and decide to defend the Fondo end (where we sit). Inside the first minute, they had a shot on target from Alonso from about 30 yards, which Arnau could only turn round the post. This corner developed into three corners before the Malaga defence could clear their lines and so from this point on, we were worried every time Real Sociedad got themselves into an attacking situation.
In 5' we have the first booking of the game, when fullback Garrido is cautioned after scything down Edgar wide on Malaga's right wing.
Gerardo takes the resultant free kick, which he swings in towards Salva's head, but goalkeeper Reisgo (which unfortunately translates as "Risky") rushes out to clear the danger. The goalkeeper looks small in stature for his position, but he makes up for that with his agility and pace.
It's the 13' minute before we see an attempt at goal from Malaga and it's a speculative shot from Valcarce, who, standing alone in the centre circle, finds the ball popping out of the crowded Sociedad penalty area and tries an audacious lob from fully 40 yards that Reisgo was happy to see fly just over the bar.
The next minute sees a better opportunity, when superb closing down by Juan Rodriguez forces Gari to make a mistake and the ball breaks to Edgar. The pacy Portuguese winger sets off at once with the ball, catching the static Sociedad defence cold. He races into the box, but for some reason elects to pass square to Salva when the shot was definitely on. Salva seems to be as caught out as the rest of us when he receives the pass, but recovers enough to blast a shot at goal. It comes off Labaka and skies over the bar for a corner.
An even better chance comes along in the 19th minute, when a clever pass from Juan Rodriguez finds Counago in the clear on the right. The striker is completely unmarked and probably has too much time to think as he goes one on one with the keeper. He probably also wasn't helped as the entire Fondo stand gets onto their feet in anticipation of the shot. Counago attempts a lob over Reisgo who has elected to rush out and the ball ends up on the roof of the net.
In 23' we have a scare when overlapping fullback Rekarte has a go from 20 yards which goes just wide of the post as Real Sociedad look dangerous on the counterattack.
In 26' Juan Rodriguez tries from 20 yards but it's high and wide.
Edgar wins a corner on the right as his pace exposes Garrido again in 30'. Gerardo's corner is aimed at Salva's head, with which the striker makes a powerful connection. Unfortunately it's Cesar on the goalline who stops the shot inadvertently as he tries to get out of the way. Counago pounces on the free ball but Reisgo makes an excellent save at his near post.
We were beginning to think it was going to be another of those frustrating days for Malaga, who for all their possession and chances, cannot finish and leave themselves open to a counter attack.
The next minute sees a bizarre moment. Edgar supplies Salva standing in the "D", but surrounded by three defenders. There is nowhere for him to go and no support immediately available. The action seems to freeze, with Salva with the ball at his feet standing still and neither of the defenders making any attempt to tackle or take the ball. We think the ref has blown his whistle, although we hadn't heard it. But no, Salva was just waiting for support, which came in the form of Gerardo. Salva pushes the ball towards him but the little midfielder's shot goes high and wide.
In 38' we see the first of Nacho, who has had a quiet time on the left wing. He swings a cross right across the field to Edgar, whose run has taken him past the Real Sociedad defence. Riesgo has to rush out again and averts the danger by kicking the ball high into the stand.
Xavi Prieto is creating havoc down the right wing for Sociedad and Valcarce is allowing the winger to beat him time and again and get his crosses in. In 43' Prieto whips a great cross across the penalty spot but Novo is beaten to it by Arnau.
In the last action in the first half, Malaga's passing and movement create another chance as Gerardo finds Counago in space. The striker slips it past two defenders into the path of Salva, but the big striker's effort goes just over.
Half time Malaga 0 Real Sociedad 0
We have to wait until the 53' before there is any goalmouth action. Counago's run again finds him unmarked in the box and one on one with the goalkeeper. Again the crowd rises to its feet in anticipation, but the striker's shot is weak and straight at Riesgo who gathers easily.
In 55' Labako is booked for a tackle from behind on Nacho.
In 60' Valcarce becomes the first Malaga player in the book for shirt tugging. As this is going on, Tapia makes his first change, bringing on Hidalgo for the disappointing Counago. This means that we have a change in formation, as Malaga go to five across the middle with Salva alone up front.
The change has an immediate effect. Hidalgo gets the ball and runs at the defence from halfway. He is tackled and the ball goes for a corner. Gerardo takes and sends it into CESAR. The giant centre back (at least 8'3") glances his header away from Riesgo in the crowded box and Malaga go ahead.
Malaga 1 Real Sociedad 0
As we are celebrating, Tapia makes his second change, taking off Valcarce for the Brazilian Anderson. Now Malaga revert to Tapia's favourite line up with four at the back (Gerardo taking over at left back), two holding midfielders (Anderson and Juan Rodriguez), two wingers (Edgar and Nacho), an attacking midfielder (Hidalgo) and a lone striker (Salva).
In 65' Juan Rodriguez sends a tempting ball into the left channel for Edgar to pick up and run into the box. The Angolan Portuguese is sandwiched between two defenders and goes down. A penalty? Numerous replays on TV later show that it was, but the referee says play on.
The next minute Nacho is booked for shirt tugging. Nihat comes on for Aremburu for Real Sociedad.
The threat of the little Turk becomes evident in 70' as his glancing header is just wide of the post with Arnau watching on helplessly.
In 75' Malaga increase their lead. Superb wing play by Nacho gets him past three defenders on the left. His cross is meant for Edgar, but HIDALGO takes the ball off his team-mate's feet to place a terrific shot past Riesgo.
Malaga 2 Real Sociedad 0
Sociedad make a change before kick off with Gari being replaced by de Paulo.
Malaga win the ball from the kick off and Edgar goes on yet another diagonal run from right to left. Hidalgo spots it and places the ball in front of him with a millimetre perfect pass. Goalie Riesgo rushes out and the ball Edgar and Riesgo all meet each other simultaneously. EDGAR's foot must have been there first though as the ball rockets into the empty net to make it 3-0.
Malaga 3 Real Sociedad 0
Edgar requires some treatment after his collision with Riesgo, so Sociedad kick off against 10 men. Xavi Prieto, the right winger, who has been Sociedad's main threat all evening again runs off with the ball down the right wing. He just runs past Gerardo before whipping in an inviting cross towards the penalty spot. Arnau and Fernando Sanz are looking at each other expecting the other to take charge of the ball. In runs DE PAULO to slide the ball past the two Malaga players and into the empty net to claw one back for the visitors.
Malaga 3 Real Sociedad 1
In 85' Salva is replaced by Paco Estaban.
In 86' Sociedad are not finished and are looking for another goal. This time it's de Paulo down the right wing and he finds Nihat with his cross. The tiny Turk tries to steer it past Arnau but it goes just wide of the post as well.
Fulltime Malaga 3 Real Sociedad 1
It's a good home win for the Boquerones and Malaga go up two places in the table to 11th. Next week they are off to Madrid for the tricky confrontation with Getafe, then the following week Malaga entertain Osasuna, who have had the best start to any season in their history. However, this weekend they have dropped down one from the top spot and are now lying second to Barcelona in the latest league table after drawing with ....... Getafe this weekend.
I am already looking forward to this clash, as I am sure you are. Never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

PS There has been some mischief in the English press about a takeover of Malaga by a consortium from England, who are associated with Arsenal FC. Some of the papers are saying that the deal has been struck, signed and sealed in a Marbella hotel, but the official Malaga CF line has been one of definite denial, with club Presidente Roldan stating that " There has been no discussions with anyone, at any time in any place. Malaga CF is not for sale".
We will watch and report if anything develops.