Match Reports

Malaga travel north to play the runaway leaders and promotion favourites, Valladolid, after their necessary win last week against Xerez, knowing that the likely defeat would plunge them into the relegation zone.
Manager Muniz made two changes to the team that won last week – one positional and one tactical. Valcarce was dropped and Calleja moved back to left back, with Ernesto getting a rare start on the left wing.
Malaga (4-4-2): Goitia; Jesus Gamez, Armando, Jesule and Calleja; Molinero, Gascon, Hidalgo and Ernesto; Ivan Rosado and Counago.
The next surprise was that Goitia, reserve goalkeeper to the out of form Arnau and making only his fourth appearance this season, was named captain.
Malaga kick off in the sunshine and start brightly. In the first minute they make home goalkeeper Alberto work, when Hidalgo sends Molinero off down the right wing and the keeper had to move quickly to cut out the cross as Rosado moved into the six yard box.
Malaga look sharp and in 6’ fast one-touch interpassing down the right wing leads to Molinero crossing in again. This time his cross dips down at the bar and Alberto again has to stretch to palm it away from Counago.
In 9’ Valladolid playmaker Borja is robbed in midfield by Rosado, who runs 20 yards into the penalty box. Faced with two defenders he slips the ball square to Molinero, who’s fouled. Ernesto takes the free kick and sends in a tantalising cross which eludes the crowd in the box and narrowly misses going in at the far post.
It’s 14’ before Valladolid mount their first attack and Armando makes an excellent tackle in the box against Victor who had run into the area.
Then Muniz springs another surprise. A substitution! Teenager Gascon looks bemused as he is taken off and Silva replaces him. Malaga rearrange (as they do several times a game since Muniz took over) to a 4-1-3-2 formation with Silva sitting in front of the back four. It’s a more defensive line-up and disappointing given the bright attacking start that Malaga has had.
In 20’ Victor again has to be tackled cleanly in the box by Armando to avert danger.
In 28’ the best move of the match so far. Ernesto breaks down the left wing. He slides the ball to Counago who returns the favour. Ernesto has moved inside and cracks a fine shot at goal from 18 yards. Alberto is beaten but the ball takes a deflection off a defender to go out for a corner.
In 32’ Hidalgo becomes the first booking, for sliding in late. Goitia catches the effort cleanly from the free kick.
Half an hour gone and the league leaders are being kept well clear of the Malaga penalty box by some fine defending and the visitors are creating chances at the other end.
The television picture shows that possession is 72% for Valladolid and 28% for Malaga, but most of the possession is in Valladolid’s half with the centre backs passing between them. A good half by Malaga.
Half-time Valladolid 0 Malaga 0
In 49’ it’s still Malaga on the hunt for the opening goal. Hidalgo takes a free kick 40 yards out. It bounces high around the penalty spot and Alberto has to tip the ball over from just under the bar.
In 52’ Goitia makes his first real save of the game when he has to tip a deflected shot from full back Marcos over the bar.
In 53’ there is a bit of a stooshie when Jesus Gamez goes down in his own 6 yard box, but the referee allows play to continue. Jesus Gamez is playing everybody on and when the ball goes wide for a goal kick, Jesule is booked for dissent after arguing with the referee.
In 55’ there is a penalty claim from Malaga, when Hidalgo breaks into the box onto an Ernesto pass and goes down. Nothing given.
In 56’ Silva becomes the third Malaga booking for a tackle from behind. The free kick is taken low and Goitia has no trouble gathering the ball.
In 59’ Malaga go close again when Jesus Gamez wins a corner on the right. Ernesto’s kick is well directed and finds Counago’s head, but the ball goes just over.
In 63’ a better chance from another Ernesto corner. (At last corner kicks are dangerous! For the first time in four years, after countless Duda, then Calleja and Sandro efforts.). This time Silva has a free header but he misses the target.
In 65’ Borja is taken off and Mario Suarez comes on for Valladolid.
In 67’ Malaga get a bit casual in midfield when Molinero’s slack pass doesn’t find the striker. Winger Capdevila latches onto the loose ball and runs towards the goal. He has no support so tries from 25 yards forcing Goitia to make a fine save.
In 68’ Rubio becomes Valladolid’s first booking when he holds onto Ernesto.
Malaga have lost the initiative now and are defending along their own 18 yard line. It seems that they have settled for the 0-0 draw.
In 72’ Sisi, in too much space, shoots from 25 yards and again Goitia has to make another fine save.
In 73’ Capdevila comes off for Touche to come on for Valladolid.
What a substitution this turns out to be. In the next minute, Jesus Gamez is all on his own on the 18 yard line. Instead of booting the ball up the park, for some reason he elects to try and find Armando and passes weakly across his own penalty area. The ball lands nicely for TOUCHE who volleys past Goitia who is taken completely by surprise.
Valladolid 1 Malaga 0
It was a defensive error but it had to come as Malaga were playing too deep defensively.
In 76’ Muniz makes his second change. Discarded giant Uruguayan striker Chengue Morales comes on for Molinero, as Malaga change again to a 4-3-3 formation to change from ultra defence to all out attack to try and find the equaliser.
It almost works in 82’ when Ernesto’s pass finds Counago in the box. The striker forces the defender to concede a corner. Ernesto’s corner again almost goes in under the bar and Alberto has to punch clear.
In 83’ Valladolid set out their stall. League top scorer Llorente is taken off and defender Ivan Hernandez comes on to defend the 1-0 lead.
In 86’ Malaga make their final change, bringing on Jonaton Valle for Ivan Rosado – or one lightweight for another. Jonaton Valle is a midfielder though so Malaga change their formation again to 4-1-3-2.
In 92’ Malaga get their last chance to equalise when Hidalgo’s persistence wins a corner. Ernesto takes yet another fine kick and with Alberto beaten, the ball is cleared off the line by a defender to safety.
Full-time Valladolid 1 Malaga 0
The whistle goes to the home fans shouting Campeones, Campeones, whilst Malaga find themselves dropping into the bottom four and the relegation zone for the first time this season, after they discover that Castellon have won away at Albacete.
The next few games are crucial to Malaga’s efforts to survive when they play teams around them in the league, starting next week with their home game against second bottom Lorca. Never fear, Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there!