Match Reports

We made the two hour trip north along the Mediterranean coast into Almeria province to watch Malaga play Poli Ejido on Sunday 18 March 2007. The ground is small with a capacity of under 8000 and on the day some 5000 spectators turned up to watch, including a fair number of travelling supporters.
Malaga’s lowly league position in 18th just above the four relegation slots and the fact that the team has managed only three goals in the last nine matches has had Manager Muniz scratching his head and changing the team’s tactics yet again. This week, he has had his team training in the more adventurous 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 formations in a bid to find the goals and the wins Malaga so badly need to avoid a second relegation in successive seasons. Sitting with 33 points after 28 games, with 14 games remaining including today’s match, the manager has set a target of 50 points (or six wins) as no team has ever been relegated from La Segunda with 50 points (yet).
Arnau continues on the bench, giving Gotia only his second game of the season. Hidalgo returns after suspension and as Malaga have only two first team strikers to call on, teenage sensation Plata was called up from the Juvenile team to sit on the bench to act as cover.

Málaga (4-4-2): Goitia; Jesús Gámez, Armando, Jesule and Valcarce; Edgar, Silva, Hidalgo and Calleja; Couñago and Iván Rosado.

Joy of joys! What a start! After only six minutes – Malaga go ahead! Yes – they scored a goal! HIDALGO, standing on his own, 25 yards out sends in a looping shot over the heads of a crowded penalty box and past home keeper Kike for the opening goal.
Let me tell you, it felt really good to see a Malaga goal and all sorts of hope and other ridiculous feelings swarm through your veins. Perhaps Malaga has turned the corner. Perhaps reverting to 4-4-2 suits the players at Muniz’s disposal. Perhaps we can dream of staying in this Division this year and building a team in the summer which can propel the club back into the First Division.
It didn’t last. After only ten minutes more, veteran striker ORTIZ ran into the box after a slick passing move through the centre of the field and expertly put the ball beyond Goitia’s reach to equalise.
Still, the game was poised with both teams looking good value.
Then, just before half-time, Silva went down in heap after a tackle on Toedtli, Poli’s other striker. It takes a lot to bring down Silva and it looked serious for a while, yet after a dosing of the magic spray and sponge, he was back up and playing again.
Half-time Poli 1 Malaga 1
It was clear that Silva wasn’t fit and so after only 3 minutes after the restart, he was substituted for Sandro. Now you must know by now that Sandro is not my favourite player, as he demands the ball, tries a World Cup pass and inevitably gives possession away to the opposing team. However, in the circumstances it did seem right to bring on another creative midfielder as Malaga went looking for the win they desperately need.
However, as Malaga were reorganising after the substitution, Poli’s big striker TOEDTLI controlled a loose ball in the penalty area and blasted the ball past Gotia from close range to put the home side ahead.
Poli 2 Malaga 1
Muniz made his second change soon after in the 55th minute, taking off Edgar and bringing on Perico. He also changed the formation, going to a 4-2-3-1 set up, with striker Rosado out wide on the right and Perico supporting Counago through the middle.
Again, as Malaga were reorganising after this substitution, Poli stepped in to take advantage. Pedro Vega took a free kick out on the left wing and found centre back TENA’s head in the crowded penalty area. The centre back’s header was strong and true and put Poli into an unassailable position. There was no way really, given their record, how you could see Malaga score two more goals for a draw, let alone three more for a win.
Poli 3 Malaga 1
We were scared that Muniz might make another substitution and lose another goal!
In 67’ he did make his final substitution, bringing on left winger Ernesto (he of the red boots) on for captain Valcarce. The arm band went to Sandro and Calleja fell back to left back to allow space for Ernesto to run down the left wing.
We waited with bated breath, but this time there was no response from Poli as before. However, the small team from Almeria province were playing with a swagger and their teenage midfielder, Sunny Sunday, was controlling the centre of the park, allowing Malaga no opportunity to push forward.
There was a very short flurry of shots on goal from first Counago and then Rosado which had the crowd whooping a little but giant keeper Kike never looked seriously troubled.
Just when we had resigned ourselves to this crushing defeat, Sandro did what he does best, just before the full time whistle. Standing alone in the middle of is own half in 88’, he unbelievably passed the ball straight to Poli sub MORENO. The striker had time to smooth down his pony tail before he ran past Jesus Gamez to crash Poli’s fourth goal past the unfortunate Gotia.
Full time Poli Ejido 4 Malaga 1

What a disaster! Muniz puts out his most attacking line-up this season, his team score an early goal and then they are thrashed 4-1. Poli were more organised, more hungry for the ball, more motivated to chase lost causes and were devastating in their finishing. At the end Malaga looked a very sorry sight.
Fortunately, the four bottom teams were unable to make much headway on Malaga this weekend, so that the Blue and Whites can go through another week without being in the dreaded red zone. All four teams have to play Malaga yet (are these four of the six wins they need?)
At the moment, the only way I can see Malaga staying up is if these bottom four teams continue to lose all their games from now until the end of the season.
Next week? At home for another local derby against Xerez. Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.