Match Reports

Saturday 6 January 2007 - the first game of the new year after the Christmas break and Malaga find themselves up against local Andalucian rivals Almeria, who are enjoying a rich vein of form that has seen them go seven games (five wins and two draws) since their last defeat and propelled them to second in the league table.
It's been another glorious January day on the Costa del Sol, with the temperatures peaking at around 19C and even at the kick off at 18:30h, the temperature is still around 13C.
It is not all rosy at La Rosaleda though as Malaga, 26m euros in debt, have applied for proceedings in court to identify all their creditors and arrange to make the club more secure financially. So secret lists have been drawn up to identify the players who will have to leave to club and as many as 12 first team squad players could be leaving very soon. In a not too subtle statement from Muniz, the manager, it would appear that the Uruguayan trio of Romero, Chengue Morales and OJ Morales are not in his vision for the future and all three are omitted from today's squad (although Chengue is suspended and Romero is injured again).
In addition, top scorer Salva has attracted a bid from Villarreal, which has been turned down but expected to be increased, and also Deportivo and Greek side Panakanithos are reported to be interested in securing his services during the January window.
So against this background, Malaga go into this tough fixture with two teenage substitutes, Popo and Francis, accelerated through the ranks to join the first team squad. With Counago injured and Chengue suspended, this leaves only Salva available as a recognised striker and so young Popo is expected to make his first team debut at some point during the game.
Muniz goes for his favoured 4-1-4-1 formation, this time with Perico (the 20 years old left footed right winger) playing on the left wing and left winger Calleja playing in a central midfield role. Edgar is recalled on the right wing (much to the dismay of many who believe he is not worthy to wear a Malaga shirt) and club captain Valcarce returns to replace Jose Mari at left back.
Malaga (4-1-4-1): Arnau; Jesus Gamez, Jesule, Schurrer and Valcarce; Silva; Edgar, Hidalgo, Calleja and Perico; Salva.

Amongst the visitor's players today is former Liverpool keeper, Westerveld. It is Almeria, in their familiar red and white stripes who kick off facing the Gol end and their early pressure forces the first corner after three minutes. This is a team of giants and towering central midfielder Cabrera has a free header that is only just over and serves as an early warning as to Almeria's intent.
In these very early stages it becomes clear that the referee is a bit whistle happy but it seems that it is only Malaga that committing the infringements and Almeria win a number of free kicks.
In 8' Almeria win their second corner, but Malaga's defence is reprieved when the referee spots some pushing in the box and Malaga win only their second free kick of the game. The ball is put through the left hand channel, but Perico is posted missing. Edgar makes a run right across the pitch from the right wing to get the ball. Miraculously (for Edgar) he delivers an excellent cross from the by-line towards the far post. Salva gets up and knocks the ball down to PERICO who is standing in the six yard box and only has to tap it home to put Malaga ahead! GOAALLLLLL!!!!!

Malaga 1 Almeria 0

The goal is against the run of play and it is Almeria who continue to pressurise the Malaga defence. We have to wait until the 18th minute before we see a shot from them though and it's full back Mane from 30 yards who shoots just over and then in the next minute, Arnau has to rush out of his penalty box to deny striker Bermeja when he is put through clear of Malaga's defence at the half way line.
Then again in 20' Almeria almost equalise when Arnau is wrong footed by a cross from the right but the dangerous Bermeja hits the side netting.
In the 23rd and 24th minutes Almeria force two more corners, but Schurrer and Jesule seem to be in control now and make good clearances.
It's still all Almeria and the side net is struck again in the 28th minute as the pressure is maintained.
Silva then concedes a free kick in 32', some 30 yards from goal on the right wing. From our position behind the goal at the opposite end, we see the ball hammered into the crowded area, then a powerful header towards goal which Arnau jumps to punch over the bar. However, the referee is closer and he sees something else and dramatically awards a penalty to Almeria, with Silva's name going in the book.
Striker BERMEJA steps up and makes no mistake from the spot.

Malaga 1 Almeria 1

In the closing minutes of the first half, Malaga do cross the half way line more often with Edgar and Valcarce sending crosses in which are dealt with easily by the Almeria defence. Perico looks out of sorts though, not showing any commitment nor seeming to know where to play and finds himself offside on occasions when Malaga's passing should have developed into something more promising.

Half-time Malaga 1 Almeria 1

It's no surprise when Perico is substituted at half time. However it's for lightweight Jonaton Valle, who has failed to impress us in the crowd, so we are not too encouraged.
A wee bit of a stooshie in 48' when Bruno brings down Jonaton Valle on the half way line and is booked. But he looked like last man and it should have been given a red card.
In 49' Jonaton Valle sends a lovely through ball down the inside left channel for Salva to run onto. The burly striker runs free of the Almeria defence but his shot goes well wide of the post.
In 55' Jesus Gamez watches a great effort from him from 30 yards skid along the ground and just go past the far post.
The referee continues to show strong bias in his decision making, awarding free kicks to Almeria every other second whilst Malaga's players are booted off the park without any recrimination. Hidalgo's name goes into the book for complaining about this injustice.
In 61' Arnau has to make his first real save of the afternoon from a 30 yard freekick. But he collects the ball on the goal-line easily.
In 62' there is a great cheer from the crowd and ironic applause as the referee awards Malaga a free kick after Salva has been scythed down.
It's still Almeria who are forcing the pace and showing the confidence their recent run of form has given them and Arnau unconvincingly scrambles an effort from Crusat off his line and around for a corner in 64'.
Jesus Gamez is unceremoniously shoved off the ball on the right wing in 65' but referee gives no foul, prompting the crowd to shout "Fuera, Fuera" which translates to "Oh, go away".
In 66' 18 years old striker Popo, who was born in Torre del Mar, comes on for Calleja. Malaga revert to 4-4-2 with the 5'3" Popo joining Salva up front.
In 69' Edgar becomes Malaga's third booking for a foul on the right wing against fullback Mane.
Almeria continue to search for the winner and Corona beats Valcarce easily and fires in a shot which Arnau needs two attempts to control and then smother.
In 76' Silva is replaced by Sandro.
In 79' the diminutive Popo, who looks like he has real pace and guile, is brought down in the D. Jonaton Valle takes the free kick and his effort has Westerveld at full stretch, although the shot is deflected wide.
In 80' Jesule puts a tremendous ball through for Jonaton Valle but he can't get the ball out of his feet and the opportunity is wasted.
In 81' Bermeja is booked for a foul on Sandro. The little playmaker takes a pot at goal but the ball goes straight into Westerveld's arms.
Then in 86' a piece of pure magic. Jonaton Valle loses possession on the left wing but the busy POPO picks up the loose ball and starts a run along the eighteen yard line. He flashes past two defenders before unleashing a powerful shot which crashes past Westerveld into the net from 12 yards. A goal out of nothing. A piece of opportunism. A fantastic GOOAAALLLLL! He's scored on his debut! The crowd go crazy. Popo! Popo! Popo! He's the new hero. Malaga are ahead and there's only minutes left. What a goal! Did you see that goal? It was brilliant! Popo! Popo! Popo!
There is so much excitement in the ground about this goal that the guy operating the giant electronic scoreboard puts the score up as Malaga 3 Almeria 1. Well, yes, it was a good goal, but we can only claim one for it.
Malaga 2 Almeria 1
The next five minutes are really exciting and the atmosphere in the stadium is electric as Almeria throw everything at Malaga desperately looking for the equaliser, forcing corner after corner and making the Malaga defence work very hard.
In 92' Sandro keeps up his booking-a-game record, this time for complaining to the referee about the number of free kicks he is awarding to Almeria.
Arnau makes his best save of the game going down low at the far post after a corner and turning the ball away from a certain goal.
Then in Almeria's last effort of the game, a free kick from the edge of the box hits the post and out and cleared by Jesule. Phew!!!

Full time Malaga 2 Almeria 1

The crowd leave happy shouting "Popo, Popo." This is a great result in the circumstances against the second placed team. As a result Malaga go to 11th in the table.
In midweek, Malaga have another tough fixture when they play the first leg of a last 16 cup tie against Real Zaragoza. Real Zaragoza are fourth in the first division after beating leaders Sevilla this weekend, so it's a big task for Malaga.
Then next Sunday, Malaga are away for another Andalucian derby against Cadiz. It's our intention to make the three and half hour journey for this match, so never fear, Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.