Match Reports

Being a Raith Rovers supporter all my life, I know all too well how it feels to support a team which is struggling and looking doomed for relegation. Every game you come away downhearted, hoping that, while it is still mathematically possible, there is still a chance that the manager will get it right and the team will get a few breaks and come good, just in time to avoid relegation.
Being a Malaga supporter, it is clear that the fans here are not used to this scenario, or haven't been for many years. They turned out en masse on Sunday night and were right behind the team from the kick-off. Brilliant!
Last week, the team went away to Atletico Madrid and after 9 minutes they were down to two Fernando Torres goals. After 15', they were lucky to remain only 2-0 down when Gotia, making his first start for the big team in La Liga in Arnau's continuing absence through injury, saved a penalty. It didn't last long though and a goal from Maxi and two from substitute centre back Valera meant the score finished 5-0. Atletico didn't play well; Malaga were just dire.
As well as losing 5-0, Malaga also lost Duda, who was given a straight red for slapping an Atletico player on the back of his head. To top it all off, fellow strugglers Mallorca were beating Real Madrid and Alaves managed a draw which meant that Malaga were truly alone at the bottom of the league.
Having said that, a glance at the league table shows 5 points between seventh bottom and Malaga, so a wee run of wins could yet mean escape from the relegation zone.
Where better to start than Sunday's game against Valencia. What? Valencia are generally regarded as in the big three in Spain, with Barcelona and Real Madrid. Before Sunday's game they were lying second behind Barcelona in the league and Canizares has only lost 19 goals in these 25 games, making him the best goalkeeper in Spain at the moment. The team boasts 9 full internationals, including in David Villa, Spain's top scorer this season with 15 goals. Only Eto'o has scored more this season (18) and he's from Cameroon. Villa is in excellent form and was on the score sheet in midweek for Spain in their friendly with the Ivory Coast. Bit of a big ask for Malaga, but winning these games is what they will have to do if they are to stay up.
Valencia (4-4-2): Canizares; Miguel, Marchena, Navarro and Moretti; Angulo, Albeda, Baraja and Regueiro; Aimar and Villa.
The press were after Malaga manager Hierro's head after the 5-0 shambles. He hasn't been given a "vote of confidence" by the board, more a "finding and starting again with another new manager is not the best for the club in its present situation, with 13 games remaining in the season".
Hierro's selection last week raised a few eyebrows, dropping Bovio for Anderson, putting winger Duda inside with Nacho on the wing and Edgar up front with Salva. It didn't work out, big time.
He took the team away up the coast to Jerez for the week, to try and rebuild confidence and take them away from the glare of publicity around the La Roseleda training ground.
So we waited with bated breath for Hierro's selection against the giants from Valencia. He made seven changes, dropping Gotia, Gerardo, Litos, Ribeiro, Anderson and Hidalgo, with Duda ineligible through suspension after his red card. In goal was Reina - who? I don't know, but I'm guessing he is the Malaga C keeper, as Malaga B's keeper, Munoz, was on the bench and there was no mention of Gotia. There was a return for captain Fernando Sanz in the heart of defence and a recall for Jesus Gamez at right back, just three weeks after being told that he should continue in the Malaga B team for the rest of the season "to aid his development". Nacho was given the left back slot and Antonio Lopez was given the left wing position, with Bovio and Juan Rodriguez in the centre of midfield, with giant Uruguayan Morales recalled to join Salva up front.
Malaga (4-4-2): Reina; Jesus Gamez, Alexis, Fernando Sanz and Nacho; Edgar, Juan Rodriguez, Bovio and Antonio Lopez; Morales and Salva.
When the teams kicked off, there was another surprise in store for the home fans. Defensive midfielder Bovio slotted in behind the front two, with Juan Rodriguez, a striker last year, sitting in front of the back four.
It was a very late kick off, 2100h, and although it was 17C it felt colder. The game was live on Canal+, the subscription channel here and also on Sky Sports 1 in the UK.
Malaga lost the toss and were asked to kick off facing the Gol end, the far away end from us. They started very brightly and immediately forced half a dozen corners in the first five minutes, all on the left, caused by direct running from Nacho, Morales and Antonio Lopez. Valencia's defence did not look comfortable at all, with Morales in particular causing difficulties with his mobility and his 9'3" height giving him an advantage in the air.
The first real opportunity fell to Bovio in 7' when he was granted a free header from a cross from Antonio Lopez, but the Brazilian could not direct the shot and the ball went over.
The following minute Canizares had to race from his goal line, out of his penalty area to deny Edgar whose run down the right was well spotted by Bovio.
It was 13' before Valencia entered Malaga's penalty area with any threat. Full back Moretti got to the by-line but his cross went out of play for a goal kick.
Valencia are a strong team, but they are a counter-attacking team, quite content to absorb pressure and catch teams out with rapid bursts up the park to find the two sharp shooters, Villa and the little Argentine international, Aimar. Malaga's strategy seems to be all out attack, with Alexis given the role of following danger man Villa all over the park.
So, Malaga enjoy a great deal of possession and are looking good. They look positive and mobile and Bovio seems to be finding his targets with his passes. Valencia are on the back foot, but you are always aware that they have the class and guile to nip up the field at any time and spoil the party.
And so, in 29' it was Valencia who came closest to scoring so far when Miguel latched onto a loose ball in the penalty box after Fernando Sanz was deceived by the very frisky and alert David Villa. Miguel's shot was hurried but it was on target and came off the bar with debutant goalie Reina looking on.
Reina is looking very nervous in goal and fluffs an attempted catch in 33' when he came out to take a cross from Albeda. The ball lands at Regueiro's feet, but his shot is luckily well over.
Alexis is doing a fine job in containing Villa and at the other end Morales is winning everything in the air. Unfortunately, Salva is not playing close enough to the big man to take advantage of all his knock downs.
Half time Malaga 0 Valencia 0
It's Malaga's turn to come close in 49'. Nacho takes a throw in on the left, six yards off the Valencia goal line. He throws it to Bovio, who manages to turn and shoot a swerving ball right across the goalmouth, where it comes off the far post, with Canizares watching.
Aimar is starting to show in this half, after being posted missing during the first. Bovio is the first booking of the game in 50' after bringing the little Argentine down.
The second booking was next minute, when Villa brought down Nacho.
In 53' Aimar goes close with a good shot from 20 yards which whistles just past.
In 57' Fernando Sanz is booked for bringing down Aimar, just outside the box. The little striker takes the kick himself, which beats the wall but comes off the bar, before being hoofed away by Salva.
In 61' Juan Rodriguez has a chance inside the 6 yard box from a Nacho corner, but he heads just over.
It's a good game with Malaga showing well and Valencia always a threat.
In 67' a minor stooshie when Antonio Lopez and Nacho combine well down the left wing. Nacho's cross is aimed at Morales in the 6 yard box but the giant Uruguayan seems to be held back and can't jump for the ball. But, no penalty!
In 71' Salva breaks down the left wing and manages a great cross into the box. Edgar runs onto it and blasts a shot at goal which Canizares has to dive full length to just tip it round the post for a corner. Fine save.
In 72' there are howls of derision from the crowd when best players on the field, Morales and Bovio are substituted for Hidalgo and Counago.
In 74' former Malaga midfielder Rufete comes on for midfielder Angulo for Valencia.
In 77' Juan Rodriguez joins the Aimar club when he is booked for a foul on the little striker.
In 80' Reina makes a great save from Aimar's shot. The goalie gets down low to turn the ball round the post for a corner.
In 84' an almost spectacular goal from Hidalgo. He receives the ball from a free kick after Salva had been brought down. He's in the centre circle, but with no options for a pass, he elects to shoot! It's a powerful shot forcing Canizares into another full length dive to just get his fingertips to the ball to touch it past. Top football, this. Both shot and save are out of the top drawer.
In 85' Mista replaces Villa, who has been played off the park by Alexis.
In 86' Counago misses an opportunity to send us all home happy, when Edgar intercepts a pass and knocks the ball up for the former Ipswich Town man to head, but the ball goes straight to Canizares who is well positioned on his goal line.
Full time: Malaga 0 Valencia 0

Not a win, and we need the three points badly, but a very good display from the home side and we leave the ground feeling that perhaps there is a chance we can avoid the drop.
Next week it's another sixpointer against local Andalucian rivals, Real Betis, in Sevilla. In two weeks, the next home game is against Real Zaragoza. Never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there!