Malaga, fresh after their defeat of Alaves last weekend, approach this weekend’s match with Albacete with some confidence. Their opponents, although in the Primera Division only two years ago, are not enjoying the best of campaigns this year and their recent poor form has seen them lose four games out of the last six, dropping perilously close to the relegation zone.
The local newspapers have been hailing Malaga manager Muniz as some sort of magician, somehow managing to get his team sorted defensively such that their record of five games with only one goal conceded in the league takes them back to season 1998/99 when they had a similar record. They desperately need somebody to score goals though and today’s game should see the debut of their January signing, Ivan Rosado, at some point in the proceedings, who may provide some thrust in the final third. The win last week and the renewed optimism for the team’s prospects sees a crowd of 11143 in La Rosaleda for Sunday’s game.
Muniz’s team has discovered some sort of form since he went for a more aggressive attacking 4-3-3 formation, but this week he is unable to put an unchanged starting line-up for the third week in a row. This is because Popo has been away on U-19 duty with Spain, playing two international matches during the week in Gran Canaria, only returning to Malaga on Saturday and so drops to the bench. Also, Silva has broken three fingers in his right hand during training and will be out for the next three matches at least. Malaga played a friendly against Russian first division outfit, Ruben Kazan, in midweek, in which Muniz fielded two completely different teams in each half, to allow him to try different options and check on some player’s fitness levels.
But I wasn’t prepared for the team that Muniz put out to start against Albacete. Instead of an attacking 4-3-3 formation, Muniz reverted to his favourite 4-1-4-1 set up, with right full back Jesus Gamez in the holding midfield position and Edgar alone up front! As I have said before, I do not think that Malaga should be putting out such defensive line-ups at home in this division, especially against teams struggling with their own form, as I believe it hands the initiative over to the opposition. However…..
Malaga (4-1-4-1): Arnau; Molinero, Armando, Jesule and Valcarce; Jesus Gamez; Perico, Sandro, Hidalgo and Jonaton Valle; Edgar.
Strong running from Edgar forces Albacete to concede a corner after only 21 seconds! But Hidalgo’s kick is easily defended.
In a bright start from Malaga, Valcarce gets to the by-line to send in a cross from the left in the first minute but it’s too long for Perico to reach.
In 5’ “playmaker” Sandro, the crowd’s favourite (but not mine) twice passes the ball straight to Albacete midfielder Canas, who on both occasions passes through to lone striker Calle to go one on one with Arnau. Fortunately for Malaga and Sandro the tall striker shoots wide on both occasions.
Albacete’s strip is bright orange with white sleeves. The players look as if they are wearing training bibs and indeed are easily confused with the trackside photographers who are wearing the same orange bibs.
In 8’ Edgar wins another corner. Armando gets his head to this one but puts it over.
In Albacete’s first attack in 11’, they go ahead! Molinero is outpaced down their left wing by Bauza and although his cross is not especially strong, SANZ gets enough power in his free header to put the ball past a static Arnau.
Malaga 0 Albacete 1
Albacete’s tactics seem to be to defend in depth with everybody behind the ball when it is in their half, close down quickly to prevent Malaga developing any passing movements and then route one over the top for Calle to run onto. Not pretty, but effective.
In their second attack, Albacete win a corner in 14’. Canas gets his head to the corner kick and his effort come off the near post. Arnau belts the loose ball up the park.
Despite all their pressure, Malaga are not threatening Sanzol in the Albacete goal and in fact it’s the visitors who look more dangerous when they make forays into Malaga’s half.
In 20’ there is another scare for Malaga, when centre back Camara heads just over, the ball landing on the roof of the net, from a free kick. Malaga’s defenders are not too tall (in fact only Armando is over 6’ in the whole team) and Albacete’s players seem to winning everything in the air.
Albacete win a free kick out on their right wing after 22’ and Zahinos’ effort swerves just wide of the near post with Malaga’s defence caught cold again.
Then the next minute, Calle is put clean through with a pass over the top. Arnau (uncharacteristically) rushes out and deflects the shot. Whew!
In 24’ Sandro, who cannot make his passes reach a Malaga player, is booked for dissent in frustration.
In 28’ Malaga’s best move of the game. Jesus Gamez, who is looking like a fish out of water in his unaccustomed midfield role, intercepts a pass and gives it to Sandro. This time the playmaker sees Edgar’s run and slips a through ball for the Angolan to run onto. However, Edgar’s timing is out and he’s offside.
In 30’ Zahinos is booked for barging Hidalgo.
In 36’ Edgar is elbowed off the ball by brick sh*thouse defensive midfielder Canas, who is booked.
In 37’ Perico is fouled on the edge of the box. Malaga send everybody into the penalty box for Jonaton Valle’s free kick, with only Sandro and Valcarce in the centre circle with Calle. The free kick is cleared to CALLE, who runs the entire half, easily outstripping Sandro; he goes around the flapping Arnau and puts the ball in the net for Albacete’s second.
Malaga 0 Albacete 2
In 42’ Jesus Gamez signals to the bench that he is injured and has to come off. Albacete are awarded another corner off Molinero and Muniz takes the opportunity to bring on Popo for Jesus Gamez. The corner is swung in to the far post, where lanky striker CALLE is lurking. He gets another free header and Arnau again watches the ball pass him into the net.
Malaga 0 Albacete 3
So much for Malaga’s much vaunted defensive record! Three goals down at home in the first half! All three goals are down to poor defending, but if Jesule is having a slightly off form day, it just shows how much Malaga have been depending on the centre back all season.
Halftime Malaga 0 Albacete 3
Muniz makes his last two changes at the start of the second half. Off go Edgar and Sandro and on come another U-19 midfielder, Gascon, for his debut and another debutant, new signing striker Ivan Rosado.
The team formation remains 4-1-4-1 with youngster Gascon taking up the pivot role in front of defence, Popo moving out to the right wing with Perico moving inside and Ivan Rosado up front.
In 46’ Popo wriggles past three defenders to get in a strong shot from 18 yards which Sanzol has to dive full length to save (his first save of the game).
Malaga have raised the tempo and are starting to cause problems in Albacete’s defence. Although they are 3-0 down, there are signs that they could still get something out of this game, which is encouraging.
But in 55’ the game was over for Malaga, when Jesule, clearly frustrated with his lack of success against Calle during the first half, stuck out an elbow at the striker and was promptly shown a straight red card and sent off.
Malaga resort to three at the back as, Albacete, now 3-0 and against 10 men, are content to play the rest of the half out.
In 60’ Popo breaks through the centre and is bearing down on goal with the ball at his feet when he is tripped up from behind by Canas. With the crowd howling for retribution, the referee who is several yards away from the action runs up with his yellow card in the air ……..for Popo!!! Unbelievable.
In 65’ Jonaton Valle becomes the next Malaga man booked, adjudged to have tackled with his studs showing.
In 70’ Molinero starts on a run down the right wing. He’s in full flight when he is unceremoniously brought down from behind. Molinero is booked!
In 72’ Albacete make their first substitution. Zahinos is off and David Sanchez comes on.
In 75’ captain Valcarce complains to the referee about the time Sanzol is taking over goal kicks. Valcarce is booked!
In 76’ Bankero is substituted by Albacete for their top scorer Parri.
In 79’ we see a glimpse of what Ivan Rosado has to offer. He turns on a sixpence just inside the penalty area, forcing Sanzol to make a save which he can only parry out to Perico. The youngster fires the ball wide.
In 80’ Calle, who has been streets ahead of the Malaga defence all evening, is substituted to attended jeers and whistles from the crowd and Biagini comes on.
The last ten minutes are all about Albacete keeping possession and playing out time. Their tactics have been spot on and they fully deserve their win. Malaga, on the other hand, have been exposed for their lack of talent, their dependency on Jesule to be on top of his game and Muniz’s ill-use of his players, with too many (Jesus Gamez, Jonaton Valle, Popo, Edgar) playing out of position and not choosing the best formation and tactics to best suit the players available.
Full time Malaga 0 Albacete 3
After such a crushing home defeat denting everybody’s morale, all we can do is look forward to next week’s game. Malaga are away to Numnacia, another 12 hour train journey away in the north of Spain, and against another team who were playing top level football not so long ago. Malaga will have to play without Jesule, who will be suspended, and so another tough game is in prospect. Still this league is dog eat dog, so who knows?
The next home game is in two weeks time with Sporting Gijon making the long trip south from the Bay of Biscay. Hopefully their visit will prove pointless for them. Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.
Crime Count:
Malaga yellows: 5 (Sandro, Popo, Jonaton Valle, Molinero and Valcarce)
Malaga reds: 1 (Jesule)
Albacete yellows: 2 (Zahinos and Canas)
Albacete reds: 0
Regards
