Match Reports

In the first local derby of the season, Betis, from Sevilla, were the visitors to La Roseleda on Sunday. Another capacity crowd turned up to see if Malaga could come out of a patch of poor form and record their first win at home this season.
Last week, after a break the previous week for World Cup qualifiers, Malaga were away to Valencia. The history books showed that Malaga hadn't won in that fixture for 50 years. In that game, similar to other away matches, Malaga adopted a 4-4-2 system with two strikers, Salva and Morales, up front. However, it wasn't until they were 2-0 down and with fifteen minutes to play that Malaga came to life. They made three substitutions at 75 mins, among them Counago for Morales as a straight change, and right away scored through Salva to make it 2-1 and had Valencia dying for the final whistle, which eventually came with no further scoring.
So it was perhaps no surprise when Malaga's line-up was announced: 4-4-2 with the impressive Counago retaining his place:

Malaga (4-4-2): Arnau; Alexis, Cesar, Fernando Sanz and Valcarce; Edgar, Juan Rodriguez, Gerardo and Nacho; Salva and Counago.

Betis on the other hand were just back from London and Champion's League duty having lost to Chelsea 4-0 in midweek and also the services of former Malaga favourite, Michel Angel, who broke his leg in that game and will be out for six months. Amongst their impressive squad is the young Spanish international right winger Joaquin, the subject of a bid of 10 million euros plus Cisse from Liverpool. Also in the team is Edu, signed from Arsenal in the close season. Betis also had history on their side having won in the corresponding fixture at La Roseleda for the past three seasons.

Betis (4-2-3-1): Doblas; Melli, Juanito, Rivas and Castellini; Assuncao and Arzu; Joaquin, Edu and Xisco; Oliveira.

It was a 17:00h kick off, with no wind and still bright sunshine with the temperatures around 28C on what had been a beautiful day on the Costa del Sol.
Malaga kicked off towards the Gol end (the other end from where we sit) and in the first minute some fancy footwork from Counago in the box allowed him to draw the ball back for the unmarked Valcarce, but the fullback's shot sailed well over the bar.
Malaga were dominating the early exchanges and Counago seemed to be involved in every move. In the third minute he again created havoc in the Betis penalty box before finding Nacho on his left, but the little winger's attempt was blocked and went for a corner, which Juanito headed clear.
Strong tackling from Rodriguez in midfield gained possession for Malaga in 5' and he released Edgar down the right wing. The Portuguese/Angolan paceman ran with the ball to the touchline but his weak cross was easily mopped up by Doblas in the Betis goal.
In 8' Counago wins the ball in midfield to continue the onslaught on Betis's goal. He spots Edgar on a diagonal run from right to left and the speedy winger again got to the touchline, leaving two defenders in his wake. This time his cross was powerfully struck - too powerfully as it eluded both Counago and Salva in the box and Juan Rodriguez had to dash to save it going out for a throw. His attempted cross was blocked for a corner. Gerardo took the kick and swung a cross into the box. The two Betis central defenders both went for it and it spilled to SALVA who belted it home from 4 yards. It was no more than had been deserved after all Malaga's pressure.
Malaga 1 Betis 0
In 13' there is strong claim for a penalty after Salva's pass found Edgar clear in the box and he was brought down from behind. Nothing was given.
In 16', Betis managed their first foray out of their own half. Joaquin tried a snap shot from fully 25 yards which had Arnau scrambling across his box to turn it for a corner, although the ball appeared to be going wide anyway.
In 18' Betis mounted a second attacked as they tried to get back into the game, Assuncao found Juanito in the clear with a well worked free kick, but the big centre half shot wide.
In 26' Assuncao was the first to be booked in the match after bringing down Juan Rodriguez just outside the box after the burly midfielder had made a fine run from the centre circle. Gerardo's attempt came back off the wall and was cleared.
In 30' excellent play between Nacho and Gerardo down the left wing finds the latter in the box. He looks up to see SALVA running in and Gerardo's inch perfect lob is bulleted past Doblas by a powerful header to make it a double for the striker.
Malaga 2 Betis 0
It is all Malaga now and Juan Rodriguez goes close in 32' with a powerful shot which grazed the bar as it flew over.
Malaga maintain the pressure and continue to look likely to score again. In 35' Nacho collects the ball from Valcarce and finds Counago in the box. The former Ipswich Town man swivels to send in another cracking drive which whistles just over.
In 36' Castellini makes a good run down the Betis left and his cross into the Malaga box finds Oliviera. The Brazilian meets the ball with his head but the shot goes wide of the post.
In 41' Gerardo is booked for dissent after Juanito falls down in a limp challenge and Betis are awarded a free kick.
In 42' Edgar is clear in the box with only Doblas to beat. Salva's pass gives the winger plenty of time to compose himself but he drags his shot wide.
Half time Malaga 2 Betis 0
Betis make two substitutions at half time in an effort to get themselves back into the game. Off come Arzu and Assuncao and on come Rivera and Malaga transfer target Juanlu.
In 50' the impressive Counago, enjoying his first start with Malaga since joining in the summer, finds Salva in the box with a neat pass. Salva in turn passes right to Edgar, but the winger's shot is blocked and goes out for the first corner of the second half. Gerardo swings the ball invitingly into the box and it's captain FERNANDO SANZ who meets the ball around the penalty spot to head the ball home for number three.
Malaga 3 Betis 0
Despite Betis' changes the game continues in the same vein as in the first half and it is Malaga who seem determined to pile on the agony for their Andalucian rivals.
In 54' Edgar is again in the clear in box as his pace gets him behind the defence to pick up Salva's pass. He is one on one with Doblas, but the keeper makes an excellent save to deny Edgar and concede a corner. From Gerardo's corner, Salva sends in a powerful header goalwards but only a fantastic reaction save from Doblas keeps the score the same.
More heroics from Doblas in 57' as Valcarce's cross is intended for Salva running past the hapless Betis defence. The keeper has to rush out to his "D" to head the ball clear.
In 63' Edgar makes another dart down the right wing. He sends in a cross intended for Salva, but Juanito gets there first but can't control the ball. As Doblas rushes out to assist his defender, the ball falls nicely for COUNAGO and he is able to prod the ball into the empty net to score for his new team for the first time.
Malaga 4 Betis 0
In 66' the relentless attacking play from Malaga is almost further rewarded as Doblas has to make another fantastic save, this time from Juan Rodriguez's powerful downward header, as the midfielder met another excellent Gerardo free kick.
In 70' it should have been five as Juan Rodriguez's header from an Alexis free kick on the right loops over Doblas but also the bar and lands on the roof of the net.
In 75' Malaga do make it five. Gerardo and Nacho again combine well on the left wing. The little winger sends in another excellent cross for the onrushing COUNAGO to head home for another excellent goal and his own personal second.
Malaga 5 Betis 0
In 76' Malaga make their first substitution. Gerardo gets a standing ovation as he goes off to be replaced by Anderson
In 77' the disappointing Joaquin is replaced by Israel, for Betis's final change.
In 78' Betis come closest to scoring in the whole game. Oliviera takes a free kick just outside the box. Arnau has to dive full length to deny the Brazilian adding to his season's tally.
In 80' another change for Malaga as Nacho is replaced by Paco Estaban. Edgar switches to the left and Paco Estaban begins to operate down the right.
In 82' Counago is replaced in another standing ovation, testament to his contribution during the game. His replacement is Hidalgo, who slots into midfield.
Full time Malaga 5 Betis 0

An excellent home performance from Malaga, but this is a tough league. Having already played "top teams" Valencia last week and Betis this week, their next game is away to Barcelona on Wednesday, followed by another away game at Zaragoza on the following weekend. The next home match is in two weeks against another of the "top teams" in La Liga, Deportivo de La Coruna.
Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.