Match Reports

Well, new manager Manolo Hierro could not have wished for a better fixture list to start his tenure in charge of Malaga, against the three bottom clubs in La Liga, he had a great opportunity to take the club away from relegation worries and hike them up into the middle of the table. Three six-pointers, back to back!
In his first game in charge he did the needful and beat Athletic Bilboa. Then last week, the long trip up to Vittoria in the Basque Country to play Alaves, who have been bottom club all season. What happened? A 3-2 defeat for Malaga! An own goal by Cesar, a defensive error between Arnau, Cesar and Litos to allow Alaves to score with a simple tap-in for the second and worst of all, Arnau kicking the ball against their striker instead of clearing way up the park, only to watch the ball rebound and back into the empty net. That result meant Malaga dropped into the third bottom position, above Athletic and Mallorca, as Alaves climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.

So to Sunday's match against new bottom club, Mallorca. Hector Cuper resigned as manager last Monday night and Mallorca appointed Gregorio Manzano as their new boss. Yes, the very same Manzano who was sacked by Malaga last season around Christmas time. Manzano has been out of the game since leaving La Roseleda, but how often does it happen in football when he makes his return, he returns right back where he was last?
For Hierro, the defensive problems which have changed results in the past few weeks need to be addressed. The loss of Valcarce at left back to injury has caused all sorts of problems, with a number of players being asked to play out of position to cover there. Well, on Sunday, we had the debut of new signing, Portuguese international left back, Ribeiro, signed on the last day of the January transfer window from Dinamo Moscow. There was no place again for captain Fernando Sanz, who had to be content with a place on the bench and Cesar was dropped for his howlers last weekend. So Litos retains his place alongside wunderkid, Alexis, with Gerardo at right back.
In midfield there was a return for Duda, who has not played for five months after being in dispute with the club's management. At the beginning of the season, the tricky Portuguese left winger declared that he would not be signing an extension to his contract with Malaga when it expires in June 2006, nor was he seeking a transfer, as he preferred to move club at the end of his contract under the Bosman ruling. Malaga's response? Shove him to train with the Malaga C squad, for which the 25 year old is ineligible, as the Malaga C squad play in the under-19 league. However, needs must, when your club is fighting relegation, and some sort of compromise has been agreed between club and player. The upshot of all this was that he played against Alaves last week and scored with a lightning bolt direct free kick!
Up front, there was a return for Salva, missing through suspension last week, but his replacement last week, Uruguayan international, Morales, who apparently had a stinker, does not even merit a place on the bench. Hierro sticks to an attacking 4-4-2 formation, but with Edgar up front, and Gabriel in the right wing slot.

Malaga (4-4-2): Arnau; Gerardo, Alexis, Litos and Ribeiro; Gabriel, Juan Rodriguez, Bovio and Duda; Salva and Edgar.
Mallorca (4-2-3-1): Prats; Cortes, Nunes, Tuzzio and Potenza; Basinas and Pereyre; Campano, Arango and Pisculichi; Tuni.

It's a 7pm kick-off tonight and there is a bitterly cold wind blowing (8C). But we're cheered up by Malaga's new mascot, Manolito el Octopus, who does some amazing things with his eight legs.
Mallorca, in their normal red shirts, kick off and within 42 seconds, dangerman, Venezuelan attacking midfielder, Aranga, forces Arnau to make a point blank save from 6 yards as Malaga are caught sleeping.
In 2' Juan Rodriguez offers Mallorca a second chance with a needless foul 30 yards out. Again it's Aranga who takes the kick but his shot is high and wide.
It's only 5' gone before the first booking of the match and it is Litos for a tackle from behind in the centre circle.
The next minute and we get our first glimpse of new boy, Ribeiro, who goes on a run down the left flank. His run is looking promising before he is hacked down by Cortes, who is booked.
Mallorca have a grip on midfield in these early stages and Malaga have to resort to fouls to stop the play. Gerardo gives away a free kick in 9' which affords Pereyre a free header that Arnau can only watch as it whistles just wide.
Malaga's first attempt at goal finally comes along in their first attack in 11' when Salva is brought down. Brazilian defensive midfielder Bovio finds his countryman Gabriel with the kick. The wingback sends in a tempting cross which Salva gets his head to, but it is just wide.
Malaga have another chance in the next minute when Duda takes a free kick from 40 yards after the bustling Salva is again brought down. Duda's kick is well wide of the post.
A better chance is presented to Bovio in the next minute as Malaga continue to press. Duda beats his man on the left and cuts it back to the Brazilian, but he seems to be surprised with the pass and his weak shot is easily mopped up by Prats.
Malaga continue to press forward and Bovio is starting to dictate in midfield. He wins a free kick in the centre circle and Arnau is left alone in the Malaga half as Mallorca defend in depth. There is a sense of anticipation as Duda takes the kick, but the ball is blocked in the box and hoofed clear.
In 20' Edgar forces Malaga's first corner after the Portuguese Angolan rushes down the right wing and the ball comes off Potenza. Duda takes the kick and finds Gabriel in the box, but the ball bounces off his knee and goes wide.
In 25' Arnau has to make a great punching save from a shot from Tuni, as Mallorca try to catch Malaga on the break.
In 27' the best chance so far for Malaga. The two Brazilians Bovio and Gabriel combine well down the right, before a well aimed cross lands at Duda's feet. The little Portuguese winger is in the clear with only the keeper to beat but he snaps at the shot which goes well into the upper tiers of the stand behind the goal.
In 29' Pisculichi is booked for a foul on Edgar.
In 31' Duda has another chance after a good run down the left wing by Ribeiro. He slips the ball to his countryman, but Duda again shoots over.
The next minute Edgar shoots straight into Prats' arms after receiving a short pass from Juan Rodriguez to give him the opportunity.
In 36' the so far disappointing Juan Rodriguez, who looks out of sorts, gives away a free kick about 30 yards out. There is a sense of danger in the air as Aranga shoots from the kick. Arnau has to make a spectacular diving one handed save to turn the ball around for a corner. The corner is swung into the crowded box and drops for centre back Nunes. He is at the near post and his effort flashes across the goal mouth and out for a goal kick. Arnau looks in difficulty and Gerardo has to take the goal kick.
In 40' it's clear Arnau cannot continue and he is substituted by Gotia, who comes on to make his first team debut. The youngster had starred in last season's Malaga B team, but had yet to make an appearance in La Liga.
Half time Malaga 0 Mallorca 0
In 47' Duda finds Edgar on a run down the left channel, but the striker is brought down by Tuzzio, who could have received a straight red, as he looked "last man".
In 48' Duda, who seems to have moved inside a little, finds Salva breaking into the box. Prats shows amazing pace when he rushes out off his line and launches the ball high into the upper tier of the main stand.
In 50' Campano shows his pace for the first time in the game as he runs past Ribeiro. The left back makes a desperate tackle from behind to bring the winger down and is lucky just to receive a yellow card.
Then in 55' disaster for Malaga. Tuni breaks down the right wing and gets in his cross into the box. There seems to be no danger for Litos and Alexis who are both covering Pisculichi, who is alone in the box. There was a suspicion of a use of hands to control the ball by the forward, away from the defenders, but it's all done in a flash and the ball is in the back of the net to put the visitors ahead.
Malaga 0 Mallorca 1
Hierro immediately makes his final two changes: Juan Rodriguez and Gabriel off for Hidalgo and Counago. Edgar goes to his more familiar right wing slot, for Counago to partner Salva upfront and it's a straight swap in central midfield with Hidalgo taking up the attacking midfielder role.
Ribeiro makes another fine run down the left and Potenza is booked for a foul on him.
In 65' the new boy Ribeiro forces a corner down the left. However, Hidalgo's kick is weak and easily cleared.
The game becomes very scrappy with constant interruptions as Mallorca defend their lead uncompromisingly and Malaga lack the class to beat these destroying tactics.
The next chance falls to Bovio after another good combination between Ribeiro and Duda wins a corner on the left. The ball falls to Bovio and this time he directs a powerful shot a goal which brings out an excellent save from Prats.
In 75' Pisculichi is subbed for Victor.
In 79' Prats again denies Malaga with his rushing out, this time to thwart Counago who had been put through with a clever pass from Salva.
Mallorca are playing the offside rule to perfection as Edgar, Duda, Salva and Counago are successively caught out after more promising midfield play from Malaga creates the openings since the introduction of Hidalgo.
In 85' Basinas is booked for time wasting as the clock starts to run out for Malaga.
In 86' Pereyre is booked for kicking the ball away as Edgar attempts to quickly take a free kick.
In 87' we're on our feet as Edgar enters the box on a run and his shot forces another fine save from Prats.
In 89' Tuzzio is booked for pulling Duda's shirt almost off his back. It's a second booking and Tuzzio is off.
In 90' Arango is subbed by Ballesteros.
Three minutes of added time are shown on the fourth official's board as Malaga continue to look for a life saving equaliser.
In 91' Victor is booked for not retreating 10 yards after twice being told off by the referee.
In 92' a great chance for Malaga. Litos, who has moved up front, gets onto the end of a great cross from Ribeiro. He is up above the Mallorca defence and his header is powerful, beating Prats all ends up. However, the ball takes a lick of paint off the cross bar and goes over.
In 93', a wonder goal. Campano picks up a ball on the left wing. We're waiting for the cross, as he is almost on the touchline. Somehow he manages to put in a powerful right footed shot from no angle and the ball flashes into the net. It's game over for Malaga, but the usually partisan home crowd has to applaud that goal, as good as any I've seen this season.
Full time Malaga 0 Mallorca 2


A poor game with two sides scrapping it out for La Liga survival. Malaga, having lost two six-pointers in a row, now drop to 20th and last place in the table. Their next few games do not provide easy prospects for them; away to Atletico Madrid; home to Valencia; away to Real Betis and home to Barcelona. It's a tough league and it's not looking too good for Malaga at the moment. We shall have to wait and see what Hierro can do to save the team from relegation. The next home game is against one of the best sides in the league, Valencia. Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there!


PS A number of you have written about the apparent high number of bookings in each game. This is down to two reasons: a Spanish referee will book you for any foul committed in which the offending player does not make any attempt to make contact with the ball - quite right; also, a Spanish referee will book a player for no apparent reason, so the same the world over, then.

Sunday's crime count:
Malaga: 2 yellows: Litos and Ribeiro
Mallorca: 8 yellows: Cortes, Pisculichi, Tuzzio (2), Potenza, Basinas, Pereyre and Victor.