Match Reports

Málaga went into Sunday’s game in the frozen north of Spain against Numancia without regulars Jesule, Jonaton Valle (both suspended) and Jesus Gamez (injured). The first team squad has been reduced from 28 at the beginning of the season by various means to the point that on Sunday only 13 registered Malaga first team players were available for selection, including Gotia, the non-playing substitute goalkeeper. Five young players were included in the squad for the game: Borja Truchado, Popo, Perico, Alcala, Ador and Gascón. They are registered as players for Malaga’s other teams, so the Spanish press were calling the squad “Baby Malaga”.

The interest in the young Argentine Alcala from Arsenal and Liverpool had prompted Malaga manager Muniz to put out a “hands off” warning to them and other English clubs, saying that Malaga’s young talent is their future and that Malaga was not going to be a nursery for other teams.

Muniz resorted to his favoured defensive 4-1-4-1 line-up, with 20 year old Gascon, (no relation to Paul) playing the key role of “pivot” in front of the back four, the position held all season by Silva, who remains out injured. It’s a chance too for a starting role for new striker, Ivan Rosado, who impressed with his energy when he came on as a sub in last week’s game. Veteran Argentinean centre back Schurrer gets his chance again in defence with the absence of Jesule, returning after being for several weeks after a leg injury. Also returning to the team is left winger Calleja, also after a long period of injury.

Málaga (4-1-4-1): Arnau; Molinero, Armando, Schurrer, Valcarce; Gascón; Perico, Sandro, Hidalgo and Calleja; Iván Rosado.

Only 4000 spectators turned up in a very cold Sunday evening, including a small clutch of Malaga supporters who had made the very long journey north for the match.

In a lively first half, it is Malaga who show the invention and style and create ten opportunities to take the lead, with home keeper Juan Pablo keeping his side in the game. But, against the run of play, it’s Numancia who take the lead. Fakuda, their Japanese midfielder, receives the ball on the 18 yard line and with the Malaga defence static, swivels and drives home a powerful shot past Arnau, who apparently sees the ball late and dives to his right after the ball is in the net.

Numancia 1 Malaga 0.

Despite their superiority over Numancia, Malaga’s failure to score allowed the home team to go in at half time with the advantage.

In a less inspiring second half, Malaga were still the better team and introduced Popo for Calleja in 55 minutes, but he only lasted 12 minutes before getting injured and was himself replaced by Edgar in the 68’. Ernesto came on for Gascon in the 65’ as Muniz changed to a 4-4-2 formation, with Ernesto wide left, Perico wide right and Popo (then Edgar) up front with Ivan Rosado.

But it was not to be Malaga’s day and when a very soft penalty was awarded against Armando for pushing striker Juan Carlos Moreno on the edge of the penalty box in the 94’, which the striker converted himself, sending Arnau the wrong way, it literally was “game over”.

Final score: Numancia 2 Malaga 0

According to the Spanish press, referee Martínez Franco had a poor game and gave way to pressure from the local crowd on many occasions. He made only five bookings though, which must be some sort of a record for a Spanish game: Julio Álvarez, Palacios and Fukuda, from Numancia and Calleja (who misses next week’s game against Sporting de Gijon through suspension as a result) and Armando, for the visitors.

This result plunges Malaga back down the table and they find themselves again only three points of the dreaded relegation spots.

For next week’s home game on Sunday, Malaga have made a bold move to increase the crowd by offering a free ticket to each season ticket holder. If they all come and bring a friend, there could be over 22,000 fans shouting on the team.

Malaga beat Sporting de Gijon away from home at the beginning of the season and they will need to do the double over them as the season is turning into not one of chasing promotion but a hard fought endeavour to remain in La Segunda, in a transient season for the club. Never fear, Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.