Match Reports

Castilla are lying in the relegation zone with three points less than Malaga, so manager Muniz had stated before the game that an away win in this game could go a long way to settling Malaga’s fears for this season.
He was without the suspended Molinero, but welcomed the return of Jesus Gamez, Armando and Jesule back after suspension. Also returning to the bench after recovering from injury was left winger Ernesto. In the absence of Molinero, his favourite right winger, he went for a 4-3-3 formation for this important match:

Malaga (4-3-3): Goitia; Jesus Gamez, Armando, Jesule and Valcarce; Hidalgo, Silva and Calleja; Jonaton Valle, Ivan Rosado and Counago.

Only 4000 supporters were in the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium, Real Madrid’s training ground, for their “B” team’s clash with Malaga.
The first 20 minutes or so did not produce any action of note and we had to wait 25’ for the first booking – surely some kind of record in the Spanish Second Division. It was Castilla’s Adrian who was shown the yellow for barging into Hidalgo.
In 28’ Rosado breaks from the centre circle and starts on a run down the left. He is supported by Calleja who receives the pass and runs down the touchline. After avoiding the attentions of full back Velavos, Calleja swings a perfect cross into the box, where his three forwards are waiting. Jonaton Valle, with his back to goal, got to the ball first and chested it back to Rosado. The striker headed the ball goalwards, only to see it come back off the post with Castilla goalkeeper, Codina, at full stretch and lying on the ground. Malaga’s third striker, COUNAGO, was first to pounce to stroke the ball home from three yards. GOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!
It was just what Malaga needed and you could see that from the reaction of the players.

RM Castilla 0 Malaga 1

As often happens when a goal is scored, the scoring team relax and allow the opposition into the game. Castilla are also fighting for their Second Division lives and in 32’ their top scorer, Negredo with 14 goals so far this season, sent in a sizzler from the left wing that skiffed the far post as it went wide, with Goitia watching anxiously.
In 35’ attacking midfielder, De la Red went close again with a scorcher from 30 yards after a flowing Castilla move through the centre of Malaga’s defence, but his effort went over the bar.
Castilla keep up the pressure in 36’ when they win their first corner. But Armando heads the resultant kick clear.
Malaga shake themselves up and Counago is unlucky not to win a penalty when three defenders sandwich him in the Castilla box, but the referee says “No”.
In 38’ Valcarce receives a booking for a tackle from behind.
In 41’ Jesus Gamez splits the defence to find Counago running on his own into the box. He only has Codina to beat but he elects to try and lob the ‘keeper instead of finishing powerfully and the sitter is missed as the Codina gathers the ball easily.

Half-time RM Castilla 0 Malaga 1

Now readers of these reports will know that Malaga seem to come out after halftime a little dozy. We have in the past blamed the tea lady for her infusion having this effect. Others of us wonder about manager Muniz’s team talk. As a player he was a defender and his teams since becoming a manager have always been defensively minded. Whatever it is, Malaga have a record of losing goals (and games) in the first ten minutes after half time. So, despite the encouraging score, many of us were nervous whether one goal would be enough to secure the three points and whether Malaga would be able to weather the storm that their fellow strugglers would surely unleash.

Castilla’s intentions were made clear with two substitutions at half time, with forwards Callejon and Bueno coming on for defender Agus and midfielder Granero.
Our worst fears are confirmed five minutes into the second half. Bueno’s impact is almost immediate when he finds NEGREDO in the box. Armando has a moment of indecision, which allows the Castilla striker to turn and poke the ball past Goitia from 12 yards. Disaster!

RM Castilla 1 Malaga 1

Malaga almost go ahead in the next minute. Jonaton Valle is well out, at least 25 yards, when he spots Codina off his line. He sends in a belter, but sees the ball cannon off the cross bar and back into play.
Castilla almost go ahead themselves in 59’ when left winger Adrian tries a cross-cum-shot which lands on the roof of the net.
In 61’ Negredo goes down theatrically in the box, but the referee says “No”.
In 63’ Armando is hacked down cynically by Adrian, who has already been booked. The referee seems to hesitate for a minute and then decides not to show the red card. Wrong decision.
In 64’ Muniz makes a strange decision by bringing on Ernesto for Jonaton Valle. Strange because Ernesto is totally left footed, a winger and Calleja and Valcarce are both operating down the left wing already.
In 65’ De la Red is booked for a cynical late tackle on Hidalgo. This is also a very poor decision by the referee as some of his peers would have given a straight red for this offence. Even the ultra-biased Real Madrid TV commentators thought that De la Red was lucky to stay on the pitch!!!
In 67’ RMC mount another sweeping, passing move that results in Goitia having to make a fine diving save.
Malaga have not started really in this half – it’s either the tea lady or Muniz seems to be happy with a draw.
In 70’ Chengue Morales comes on for the tiring Counago.
In 73’ RMC make their third change with attacking midfielder Valero on for Matta, as RMC go for the winner.
Valero almost scores with his first touch of the ball in 74’ when fellow substitute Bueno finds him clear in the box with Armando confused again. This time Valcarce reacts quickly to come across and block the shot.
Muniz’s intentions are made abundantly clear in 76’ when he replaces striker Rosado, who’s had his best game yet in a Malaga shirt, for young defensive midfielder, Gascon.
In 84’ Calleja is booked for a foul on De la Red, who has been more prominent in RMC’s attacks.
In 85’ Valero again looks dangerous when he runs onto a fine pass inside the box. Fortunately he shoots straight at Goitia.
In 87’ Calleja is booked for the second time in three minutes and sent off.
Malaga’s backs are now really up against the wall and try to hold out to full-time. But to no avail as in 91’ Bueno holds up the ball well in the penalty box and passes short to DE LA RED, who turns, with the Malaga defence watching on, to slot the ball past Goitia for the winner.

Full-time: Real Madrid Castilla 2 Malaga 1

A very poor performance from Malaga, especially in the second half. It is always dubious tactics trying to defend a 1-0 or even a 1-1 result, so much of the blame must land at the manager’s feet. RMC seemed much more fired up for this crucial match and in the end their perseverance got them the result they just about deserved over the piece.
This result had us looking at the other results to see whether Malaga had dropped into the relegation zone. Fortunately Alaves were beaten at home by Las Palmas and remain one point behind Malaga and occupy the dreaded slot.
Next week, Malaga are back at La Rosaleda to face bottom club Vecindario. It’s a quite different atmosphere playing in front of 20,000 noisy home supporters and hopefully Malaga will be able to get a win which will keep our hopes alive a little longer. Never fear your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

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