Malaga CF First Home Game of the Season Looms!
Yes, mi amigos, the Spanish football season has started (Jornada 1 saw Malaga slump to a 2-0 away defeat to "newcomers" Celta Vigo. Despite having 20 shots on goal and 12 corners, Malaga lost two goals in the season's opener, one a wonder goal from 35 yards, the other a superb individual solo effort from former favourite, Baiano, which represented Celta's only shots on goal all game - we wuz well and truly robbed).
Malaga did have a game last weekend, when everybody had the time off to allow for international fixtures. Malaga played host to Newcastle United at La Roseleda to contest the tenth year for the Trofea del Costa del Sol, an opportunity for both sides to play fringe players and keep up their match fitness. Malaga's first half team was:
(4-4-1-1) Arnau, Alexis, Litos, Fernando Sanz and Valcarce, Manu, Gerardo, Nacho and Duda, Juan Rodriguez and Salva.
The first half was dire with very little in the way of goalmouth action.
At half time, Tapia made several personnel and positional changes, and the team that lined up for the second half was:
(4-4-2) Goitia, Gerardo, Litos, Cesar and Nacho, Edgar, Hildago, Anderson and Duda, Paco Estaban and Pablo Counago.
What a difference! Malaga were sparkling, with both latest signing, Brazilian centre midfielder, Anderson and "promoted from Malaga B" striker, Paco Estaban, very impressive.
This team ran the show and after Edgar was tripped in the box after 60 minutes, Hildago stepped up to take the penalty (1-0). Then within ten minutes, Paco Estaban, who caused all sorts of trouble to the Newcastle defence with his direct running, found Pablo Counago in the "D" and his powerful drive was deflected past the hapless Harper to complete the scoring at 2-0.
A problem perhaps for Tapia, as I am sure the first half team represented his first choice eleven, with the exception of Romero, who was stretchered off in the game against Celta and wasn't risked. However, he could not fail to see the improvement in the second half, so we will have to wait and see what happens on Sunday night against Espanyol. It's a 21:00h kick-off here as we are in the middle of a mini heatwave here at the moment with the sirocco blowing across from the Sahara and maintaining daily temperatures in the high 30's (typically 37C) each day.
Can't wait. The good news for you all is that "your Malaga CF Correspondent" will be there!