Match Reports

It’s Sunday 25 February 2007 at 17:30h, and we’re ready for the visit of Real Sporting Club de Gijon, another club in financial difficulties and who travelled the 1000km+ trip from the North Atlantic coast by bus overnight to save centimos.

Malaga have decided now that promotion seems over the horizon for this season and sitting with 31 points from 25 games, manager Muniz has stated that his initial target is 50 points, which he says will secure Malaga in this division. If they can accumulate that total quickly and dependent on results elsewhere, they would consider whether then they could still challenge for promotion.

In an innovative gesture, Malaga offered each of their season ticket holders an extra free ticket for the Sporting game, to try and raise the home gate and make it more intimidating for the opposition. It seemed to work a little bit as 14, 281 turned up for the match!

Malaga have had some selection difficulties this week. Silva was recovering from a broken hand. Wunderkid Popo was injured against Numancia last week and is unavailable. Full back and Spanish U-21 international Jesus Gamez is also recovering from injury and faces a late fitness test. Striker Counago remains out injured; however, Jesule and Jonaton Valle return after suspension. After last week’s away defeat, will Muniz put out a more attacking line-up than his usual 4-1-4-1 set up for this home game? No, he will put out an even more defensive 4-2-3-1 set up i.e. 6 men back defending. Still, if it works?

Malaga (4-2-3-1): Arnau; Jesus Gamez, Armando, Jesule and Valcarce ©; Gascon and Silva; Edgar, Hidalgo and Perico; Ivan Rosado.

Will this ultra defensive system work? The answer came in only 4’. Sporting’s athletic big striker CONGO looks well offside as he runs onto a through ball, but there’s no flag. He continues his run and bank clerk look-alike Arnau looks on as if he is waiting his turn to be served when he’s rounded and the ball placed in the back of the net.

Malaga 0 Sporting 1

What a disastrous start after getting 14k+ to turn up for the game!

In 6’ Edgar, clearly relishing starting a game for a change, forces a corner on the left with his strong running. Hidalgo takes and finds ARMANDO who seems to be given a free header at the near post and he makes no mistake from 6 yards.

Malaga 1 Sporting 1

What a perfect response!

Sporting are not here to make up appearances though and Barral bursts through Malaga’s shaky defence to receive a pass from Congo, who’s made a strong run down the left wing. Barral’s shot requires Arnau to first fumble, then drop then pick up at the third attempt.

In 15’, Hidalgo and Edgar, who are both having an excellent start to the game, combine and Hidalgo runs into the box but visiting goalie Alejandro mops up.

In 16’ Edgar forces another corner out of nothing but Hidalgo’s kick is eventually scrambled away.

In 17’ Malaga keep up the pressure in an entertaining opening period when a long throw from Jesus Gamez is turned out to the feet of Valcarce. Malaga’s captain tries a long range effort which he pulls wide of the near post.

In 23’ Sporting come close at the other end when Arnau has to palm the ball away off Barral’s head for a corner, which Malaga’s defence deals with comfortably.

In 28’ in the best move of the game so far, Edgar pushes a ball square to Hidalgo (who is enjoying himself in midfield without the bossy Sandro alongside him). The midfielder is through on goal but pulls his shot just wide of the post.

In 32’ Jesus Gamez is the first to be booked. It’s for a two footed tackle for which many refs would have given a straight red.

In 37’ Perico, who seems to be meandering ineffectively all over the pitch, suddenly latches onto a through ball from Hidalgo. Alejandro has to rush out of his penalty box to head clear. (Arnau please note - as a goalkeeper, you don’t have to stay on your line and wait and see what happens!)

In 41’ we’re all anxiously looking at the linesman’s flag as Sporting get in the ball in the net for a second time. Thankfully it’s up and the “goal” is chalked off.

Half-time Malaga 1 Sporting 1

Malaga come out for the second half with no substitutes played but a changed formation: 4-3-3! Instead of six men defending, it’s six men attacking! Hello! Home game, Muniz, we should be going for it from the beginning, not waiting until half-time. Let’s see if it makes any difference. Perico and Edgar join Ivan Rosado (who has had precious little service in the first half) up front.

Does it make any difference? Yes, while Malaga are adjusting to their new set-up, former Malaga B captain Diego Castro breaks through Malaga’s defence (where Jesule looks all at sea having to cope with the handful that is Congo) and shoots just over after a dazzling run down the right wing.

In 54’ Hidalgo continues to be Malaga’s most attacking player and gets to the touchline to send in a perfect cross for Perico at the far post. The youngster snatches at the ball and it trickles past the post.

In 55’ Andreu is Sporting’s first booking for a foul on Perico.

In 59’ Edgar goes off to an ovation of sorts to be replaced by Jonaton Valle.

Then in 62’ the ineffective Silva is replaced by Sandro.

In 65’ Jesule is booked for fouling Congo, who continues to be a problem for Malaga’s defence.

In 66’ it’s another great run into the box by Hidalgo. He has choices in the middle but elects to go for glory. Wrong decision as his lob is easily collected by Alejandro.

In 70’ the invisible Ivan Rosado is replaced by Ador.

In 72’ Barral is replaced by Amar.

In 76’ Diego Castro goes off to warm applause from the home support and is replaced by Pedro.

In 79’ Ador goes on a run, surviving two tackles but not the third, for which he is awarded a free kick. Perico takes the kick, trying to curl it past the keeper, but the effort is cleared.

In 80’ Sporting midfielder Gerardo goes off and is replaced by striker Karanka. Both sides know that the game is anybody’s and the next goal will be the winner.

It’s Malaga who continue to dominate the game however and Jonaton Valle finds Ador in the box. The young striker’s shot is weak though and easily saved.

In 85’ Malaga continue to search for the goal that would give them three desperately needed points. Ador goes on a run and passes to Hidalgo, but the midfielder’s goal-bound shot is deflected for a corner.

The last 5 minutes are being played at a frantic pace in an absorbing match as both sides go for it. It’s Arnau who has to make the final save of the game in 94’ palming the ball over at the bar after a header from a very long range free kick.

Full-time Malaga 1 Sporting 1

Another draw at home, which is not good enough. Malaga remain just three points clear of the relegation zone and must start converting these draws into wins to avert the disaster that would be relegation from this league. The press reports have been saying it all though – Armando’s goal today was Malaga’s first in six games. They may have a tight defence, but with no firepower up front, the remaining games look like being nail-biters every one.

Next week they are away to on a 2500 km journey to Gran Canaria and Las Palmas, who are languishing in the relegation zone. A true six-pointer, then, and a golden opportunity for Malaga to put some distance between them and the drop zone.

The following week is a home game with third placed Cuidad de Murcia. Never fear Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Remember: keep up to date with all that's happening at Malaga by visiting http://www.malagafootballenglish.com/