Match Reports

In midweek, Malaga travelled north to play Villarreal, but lost again 2-1 (Gerardo scoring from a very rare penalty). This meant that Malaga have won only once in 24 matches, their worst ever record since their inception.

This weekend's opponents, Sevilla, were rated 12th in the world by FIFA this week and will be contesting the UEFA Cup Final against Middlesbrough in Eindhoven this Wednesday. They are currently lying in sixth position in the table, occupying the second UEFA Cup slot, and need a win to maintain their position. Ironically, their manager is Juande Ramos, who steered Malaga to tenth position in La Liga just two seasons ago, and had us all dreaming of European nights ourselves. So another tough match as Malaga play their last home match, after seven years in the Liga de Estrellas, before the descent into La Segunda.
Sevilla rest several of their stars, including the Argentine striker Saviola with Wednesday's game in mind. But it is still a strong line-up.
Sevilla (4-2-3-1): Palop; Crespo, Ocio, Escude and Jesuli; Jordi and Puerta; Renato, Sales and Jesus Navas; Kepa.

Malaga drop Duda against the team he will be joining next season, but there is a return for Juan Rodriguez (out of contract in June and rumoured to be going to Deportivo). Also out is Nacho and Portuguese left back Ribiero (brother to Chelsea's Maniche) gets a chance to show his worth. Also astonishingly, Antonio Lopez is given the left wing berth, even though he is on loan from Sevilla and will be returning at the end of this season. However, the real big shock is the formation, with only Salva up front and Counago on the bench.
Malaga (4-2-3-1): Arnau; Gabriel, Alexis, Fernando Sanz and Ribiero; Juan Rodriguez and Gerardo; Manu, Bovio and Antonio Lopez; Salva.

La Roseleda is only half full and it assuredly has an end of season feel. It's an 8 o' clock kick off on a Saturday night and there is a bit of a stooshie from minute one as Sevilla come out of the tunnel on their own. They are called back so that both teams can emerge together.
In 2' Gabriel is brought down on the right touchline. Lopez takes it quickly but Salva's shot is stopped by Palop on the line.
In 7' Gerardo handballs. Jordi takes the kick from 30 yards but it's put behind by Fernando Sanz.
In 10' Lopez sends a ball down the middle for Salva to chase. Palop races off his line to reach the ball outside his penalty box and blast it into Row Z.
In 18' Jesus Navas, who looks dangerous on the ball, breaks clear and shoots just wide of the far post. The referee gives a corner!? Arnau rises above the crowd in the box to punch the ball clear but it lands at Renato's feet and his powerful volley from fully 35 yards screams into the net.

Malaga 0 Sevilla 1

Undaunted Malaga kick off and Gabriel and Manu combine well down the right wing, with Gabriel's cross headed behind for a corner. Lopez takes an inswinger but Juan Rodriguez's header is straight at Palop.
It's end to end stuff and next to show is Jesus Navas whose shot from long range is straight at Arnau.
Then Fernando Sales tries to chip Arnau, but the keeper manages to tip the ball over from just under the bar. Jesuli takes the corner but it's too strong and flies out on the far side for a throw.
In 32' Bovio is in full charge at the goal; as he enters the box Palop advances towards him. Bovio tries to chip the ball over Palop's head but it goes just over the bar.
The next minute, Puerta tries a cheeky shot from an acute angle on the Malaga goal line, but Arnau is alert and saves at his near post.
In 36' Sevilla threaten again; this time a deep cross from Renato finds Kepa's head but again Arnau brings off a fine save to tip the ball over for a corner. Jesuli's corner falls to Ocio but the giant centre back blasts over from 5 yards.
It's all Sevilla as they look to kill off the game. First Renato tries a repeat of his goal but this time the ball flies over. Then the next minute, he finds Jesus Navas who tries a shot on the half volley which whistles just past.
In 42' Bovio lines up behind the ball to take a free kick from 30 yards after Salva is brought down. We wait in anticipation to see what the Brazilian can do. Well, he blasts it into the box but the ball is deflected in the crowded area and goes to safety.
In 43' Ribiero sends in a cross which is just too high for Salva. Then he has another chance and this time his cross finds Juan Rodriguez but Palop comes out and takes the ball off the midfielder's head.
Then in 44' Palop rushes outside his box again to kick the ball into touch to deny Manu on the right wing.

Half time Malaga 0 Sevilla 1

Malaga make two changes at half time. Gerardo and Manu go off and Counago and Malaga B winger, Saul, come on as Malaga revert to a 4-4-2 formation.
In the first minute, Malaga have two chances to score, from Salva and Alexis but they are both off target.
In 48' the first booking of the game as Juan Rodriguez is booked for a foul on Jesus Navas.
In 50' Sevilla win a corner on the right which Jesus Navas takes and Kepo nods the ball wide.
Then the police, in full riot gear with helmets, shields and truncheons raised, clear the stand behind the Sevilla goal. This is where the "Frente Bokerons" sit, complete with flares, loudspeakers, banners and drums, so it must have been something they said!
In 54' Counago goes on a run across the box before shooting straight at Palop.
In 57' Salva latches onto a cross from Ribiero, goes past Ocio and slips the ball wide right to Saul. The little winger's cross is met by Counago and Palop has to make a fine save to stop the equaliser going in.
In 58' Jesuli goes off and is replaced by Alfaro.
In 60' Fernando Sanz brings down Kepo just outside the box. Ocio takes the kick but it whizzes over.
In 63' Bovio wins a corner and he takes the kick himself. Alexis rises to head the ball just over.
In 65' Ribiero sends a powerful cross into the box. Salva is there but Palop gets there first. But he cannot hold it and it falls to Salva. Before the striker can get his foot raised to shoot the referee blows for a free kick!?
In 70' striker Freddie Kanoute (ex Spurs) comes on for Jesus Navas as Sevilla go 4-4-2.
In 72' Counago runs at the defence and into the box. He slips it left to Bovio but the Brazilian hits the side netting.
In 73' Sales hits a powerful shot from 25 yards into a crowded box. It comes back off the post almost back to where the midfielder is standing.
In 76' Bovio is substituted (to a standing ovation) and Hidalgo comes on.
In 77' Counago runs into the box. Ocio chases and brings him down from behind. No penalty!?
In 81' Hidalgo wins a corner on the right. He takes it himself and sends in an inswinger. The ball bounces off Sales standing at the near post and Palop collects.
In 84' Renato goes off and is replaced by Marti (a full back).
It's 90' and Barry makes the comment that Malaga usually concede a goal about this time. Sure enough, Malaga win a corner and Alexis, who hitherto has been stationed in the centre circle for such events to mop up any clearances and stymie any counter attack, decides to come forward for the corner. Hidalgo's kick is collected by Palop who quickly launches the ball into Malaga's half. Sales is on his own, with the entire Malaga team except for Arnau in the Sevilla box. Sales still has a bit to do but still makes no mistake as he goes one on one with Arnau.

Full Time Malaga 0 Sevilla 2

So yet another defeat for Malaga. Already they are looking towards next season and fully expect to lose Duda and Juan Rodriguez who are out of contract and possibly Gerardo too, who is in a similar position. In addition, there are a number of clubs interested in Alexis, Bovio and Gabriel, and the money from the transfers could be very useful as Malaga make the attempt to bounce straight back with promotion next year.
There will be changes to the team and the management team as the club gets ready for the new challenge of La Segunda. They still have one game to play, next Sunday away to Cadiz. I won't be there as I'm off to Milan for a we holiday.
Still next season? Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there!