Match Reports

It's the first home game of the new season and (we'll be saying this many times this year) Malaga are up against promotion rivals, on this occasion, Alaves from the Basque Country, who were also relegated from La Liga last year.
An 8 o'clock kick-off, 28C temperature and 15,000 inside La Rosaleda, and the featured live match on Canal+, the Spanish subscription satellite channel; the ground was buzzing with excitement as the new board, new management team, "new" 33,000 FIFA standard stadium and the team make their first official home debut since Lorenzo Sanz bought the club in July.
Ten players have gone and ten new players signed in a fascinating six week period in the club's history and many predicted that all of the new team(s) at Malaga would need some time to gel. However in the cut-throat business that is football, there is no time for such niceties and new manager Marcus Alonso knows that he has to try and win every game from Jornada 1 until Jornada 42 on 17 June 2007. Malaga's aim is promotion and Alonso must produce or he's out.
After last week's solid opener against Hercules in Alicante, it was no surprise that Alonso opted for the same starting eleven, as he awaits the new signings to gain fitness and knowledge of their new team-mates.

Malaga (4-2-3-1): Arnau; Jesus Gamez, Cesar Navas, Silva and Jose Mari; Romero and OJ Morales; Edgar, Counago and Calleja; Salva.

Alaves (4-2-3-1): Bonano; Edu Alonso, Cesar, Mateo and Branden; Astudillo and Carpintero; Wesley, Navarro and Del Moral; Aliosi.

The first action of any note is a booking after 10' for Carpintero for a foul on Counago, as both sides take time to settle.
Next in the book after 17' is Calleja for dissent after claiming that he was fouled and that the offender should be carded. Outcome? No foul given and Calleja booked!
In 19' the first attack from Alaves produces an effort from Aliosi whose free header goes well wide.
It's 21' before any shot of note from the home side. First Jesus Gamez tries a long throw in from the right touchline. The ball emerges from the crowded box to Jose Mari, standing 40 yards out. The young left back hammers a volley low and wide of the post.
In 26' Counago picks up a loose ball in the centre circle and goes on a run into the Alaves half. As he reaches the penalty box he produces a shot which Bonano did well to turn round for a corner.
In 28' Edgar beats three men on a run down the right but his cross goes out for a goal kick.
In 30' Calleja has a chance after Counago is fouled just outside the box. Romero takes it short to Calleja who drives it low and wide.
The best chance of the game so far falls to Alaves's left back Branden in 35' who tries a shot from fully 45 yards which catches the Malaga defence static, standing watching. Branden intercepts a pass as Malaga try to play their way out of their half and unleashes a powerful drive which comes off the far post with Arnau rooted to the spot. This is a reminder to Malaga that they will need to keep their shape and that there are going to be no easy games in this division.
Malaga's best effort follows two minutes later. Edgar is fouled on the halfway line. Spanish U-21 international Jesus Gamez takes the kick and sends it deep into the penalty box. Salva times his jump perfectly but he heads the ball just over.
Another concern for Malaga in 40' when Aliosi beats the offside trap on the halfway line to run into an empty Malaga half with only Arnau in front of him. The striker advances towards goal with the Malaga defenders claiming offside in vain and having to chase the dangerous forward. Fortunately, Aliosi's shot goes well wide of the far post.
Alaves are having more of the game at this point and Navarro forces Arnau to make his first save of the game after 42'.
The following minute, Romero shows his frustration with a studs-up tackle in midfield and becomes Malaga's third booking of the game.
On 45' Branden is booked for barging Edgar off the ball.

Half-time: Malaga 0 Alaves 0

Malaga produce the first chance of the half in 47' when Edgar from the centre circle dinks a nice little ball in the air for OJ Morales, who has momentarily abandoned his more usual defensive position and runs into the box. His header though is straight at Bonano.
In 51' Salva is brought down in the box as he rises to meet a cross from Edgar. The referee is standing close by and says, "Nada. No penalty".
In 53' Calleja uses a little bit of clever footwork down the left wing to create some space for a cross into the box. SALVA times his run to the far post and his jump perfectly to beat Carpintero to the ball. He heads it down powerfully and although it took a slight deflection it beats Bonano easily and goes into the net at the near post. GOAL!!
Malaga 1 Alaves 0
Salva has taken a head knock in scoring and has to go off for treatment for a few minutes.
In 60' Edgar receives an ovation for his efforts when he is substituted by young winger Saul. Romero takes over the captain's armband.
In 63' Wesley is replaced by De Lucas for Alaves.
In 70' Gentil comes on for Del Moral as Alaves change their attacking personnel to get back into the game.
In 72' Counago gets an ovation as he is substituted. However there is a greater roar from the crowd for Sandro who comes on for him. Sandro is making his home debut on his return to the club in which he was an integral part of the most successful period in Malaga's history when they reached the later stages of the UEFA Cup in 2002.
Sandro is a "ma ba'" sort of player, always demanding the ball in midfield and looking to make the creative pass. In 78' he takes a free kick short to Jesus Gamez who in turn sends a delightful pass for Saul to run onto to down the right wing. The youngster jinks past two defenders before sending in an excellent cross into the box from the by-line. Salva again times his run and jump perfectly but this time he is up against two defenders and the ball slips just past for a corner.
In 79' and for the second game in a row, Saul is booked, although it was not clear why. The fourth booking of the game for Malaga.
In 85' goalscorer Salva is replaced by 8'9" giant Uruguayan international, Chengue Morales.
In 87' Sandro and Chengue combine well with neat interpassing finishing with a cheeky chip from Sandro which saw Chengue's header fly just wide of the far post.
In 89' it's the Sandro and Chengue combination again. This time it falls to Chengue to provide the final pass but it's intercepted by a defender.
In the final minute Sandro sends a ball into the right hand channel for Saul to chase but Bonano races from his line to beat him to the ball at the edge of his box.
Full-time Malaga 1 Alaves 0

An encouraging performance from Malaga with plenty of skill and movement and chances created. There are still some good players in the squad as yet unseen so we can look forward to some good football in the weeks to come. More importantly, that's two wins out of two against potentially tricky opposition with no goals conceded.
Next week, Malaga travel to Albacete (relegated two seasons ago and, yes, promotion contenders for this season) another tough match.
The following week, Malaga are back at home to Numancia (another promotion rival and like Albacete, relegated only two seasons ago). Never fear, Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there!




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http://www.canalsur.es/Informativos/Multimedia/2006/09.Septiembre/03/malaga.rm