Match Reports

Sunday 12 November 2006, a beautiful afternoon spent in shorts and tee shirt in the 25C sunshine and a 17:00 kick-off at La Rosaleda for the next instalment in what is turning out to be an extraordinary season. Newly relegated Malaga were expected to be at the top of the league all season, thrashing the minnows and promotion rivals alike. Instead, 10 games in and they are two points off the relegation places and sacking their manager.
The new manager, Muniz (pronounced Moonyeth), is a 37 year old ex-centre back, who had some previous management experience with near neighbours, Marbella, in the lower divisions of Spanish football. Now was his big chance to really make a name for himself, to manage one of Spain's bigger teams, Malaga. It's a tough shot though, as the team languishes just above relegation, with several of the first team squad unavailable either through injury or suspension, as Malaga has the unenviable distinction of having the worst disciplinary record in the top two divisions.
He has come to Malaga and completely changed the fitness and tactical training with training seven days a week, including match days. He has stated that he intends to shore up the defence which has leaked goals from Day 1 of the season and ensure that the creative players can go forward without looking over the shoulders worrying about what is happening at the back.
Last week in the league in his first game after only three days in charge, his team managed a 2-2 away draw against lowly Lorca. In midweek, in La Copa del Rey, his team lost 2-1 away to Real Sociedad going through to the last 16 in the competition 5-3 on aggregate. The goal was scored by Chengue Morales, the giant Uruguayan (6'7") striker, who had been left out in the cold by the previous manager.
Today, his first home game, was against Ponferradina, another small team, from the north west of Spain, and who were making their debut in the Segunda, after securing promotion last season. So, surely an opportunity to return to winning ways, then.
Muniz has a liking for a defensive 4-1-4-1 formation and it was thus how the team lined up:
Malaga (4-1-4-1): Arnau; Jesus Gamez, Cesar Navas, Schurrer and Valcarce; Silva; Edgar, Sandro, Hidalgo and Calleja; Salva.
So, a league debut of the experienced former Argentine International 35 years old centre back, Schurrer. Centre back Silva, given the role of "pivot" or holding midfielder; Edgar back on the right wing. The twin attack minded pairing in midfield of Sandro and Hidalgo and the return of Salva up front. Chengue Morales was on the bench.
Ponferradina (4-2-3-1): Rubio; Fuentes, Debris, Borres and Chupri; Rapponi and Nacho; Fran, Ruben Vega and Borreguero; Risso.

What was noticeable in the first fifteen minutes was that both teams were playing with their back fours pushed well up, so that the play was concentrated in the middle third of the park. What was different about Malaga was that their players seemed to be closing down all over the park, something that had been missing from their play so far this season.
The first shot on target by either team came in the 14' when Calleja put Salva through, but his shot is weak and straight at Rubio.
In 18' Ponferradina won the first corner of the match and Arnau showed courage to come off his line to punch the ball close to the centre circle.
There's a promising move in 21' when Edgar gets onto a Calleja cross and breaks into the box, but the Angolan pushes the fullback in his attempt to control the ball and a free kick is awarded against him.
In 32' Muniz makes a strange substitution, so early in the game. Off comes Hidalgo, who up till now had been one of Malaga's better players and on comes striker Chengue Morales to great cheers from the 11,781 crowd. It seems to be a tactical move and Malaga reshape to an unusual 4-1-3-1-1 formation with Chengue playing just behind Salva.
The crowd certainly like the entrance of Chengue as the volume is raised a couple of notches and he doesn't disappoint, calling for the ball and making runs into the box. He seems to be involved in every move and becomes the target man for every Malaga player, from Arnau through to Salva.
He is on the park for only six minutes when he wins a corner on the right, forcing the panic stricken defender to push the ball over the by-line. Calleja takes the kick and CHENGUE MORALES rises above his marker to head strongly down and into the net. What an entrance! What a substitution! What a goal!
Malaga 1 Ponferradina 0
Two minutes later and Chengue is through again. Unfortunately Edgar is there too and two Malaga players get in each other's way and the chance is lost. But there is no doubt that the big striker is causing the visitors many problems.
The last chance of the half falls to Valcarce lurking on the edge of the box when the ball falls at his feet from a crowded area as Malaga push to find a second goal. The full back gets power and direction and also keeps it low and Rubio has to make a fine save.
Halftime Malaga 1 Ponferradina 0
In 50' the first booking of the game and it's full back Fuentes for sliding in on Salva.
Then in 51' Rapponi is booked for a foul on Jesus Gamez.
Then the flurry of bookings continues in 55' as Malaga's centre back Cesar Navas again finds his name in the referee's book (for the seventh time this season) for a rash tackle from behind.
Ponferradina make their first substitution after 56' with Priera coming on for Nacho.
Then disaster for Malaga. From nothing and under no pressure, they concede a corner on the right in 58'. The kick is taken and the hapless Cesar Navas allows RISSO to get in front of him and head home from 6 yards. Another defensive error by Cesar Navas and another goal conceded from a set piece which should have been easily mopped up.
Malaga 1 Ponferradina 1
Malaga respond by subbing the unfit looking Edgar for Perico in 61'.
In 63' goalscorer Risso is booked for not retreating 10 yards stopping Sandro from taking a free kick.
In 65' Priera ran round the static Cesar Navas in the box but shoots wide as Arnau comes off his line to narrow the angle.
In 66' Chupri is taken off for Alessandro.
In 72' Valcarce is taken off and Jonaton Valle comes on. The youngster takes up the left wing berth as Calleja moves back to left back.
In 73' panic in the Malaga goalmouth as Arnau has to dive full length to save a free kick out on his right. Schurrer running back almost put the ball past his keeper and was glad to see it go for a corner instead.
The promise at the end of the first half has vanished for Malaga as they are frustrated by a Ponferradina team happy with a draw and content to try and catch Malaga out on the counter-attack and sneak the winner.
In 77' Jonaton Valle is bundled off the ball whilst running into the box, but no penalty is given.
In 79' Fuentes is booked for handball - it's his second booking and he's off! Yet again this season, Malaga have a chance to use the extra man to their advantage and kill the game off.
Ponferradina immediately take off striker Risso and replace him with a defender, Salcedo.
In the last ten minutes Malaga do try to score the winning goal, but somehow, a combination of timewasting tactics from the visitors and certain lack of conviction by the Malaga players, and we knew we heading for another tame draw.
Full time Malaga 1 Ponferradina 1

Another two points lost to "inferior" opposition at home. Muniz will have to work a bit harder with his players if Malaga are to avoid another relegation, let alone get promotion this season. Next week, Malaga are away to second bottom club, Elche. Another chance to get a win and start the climb up the table that we are all yearning for.
The next home game is on 26 November against high flying Salamanca. Never fear, Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there!