Match Reports

Three games to go in La Segunda and nine points at stake. Malaga are six points ahead of Real Madrid Castilla who occupy the fourth bottom relegation spot and who are away to Real Murcia this week. That was the situation going into today's game away to already promoted Almería, who themselves still have a chance of winning the Second Division championship.

Muniz responded to last week's defensive errors by dropping both of his normal central defenders; indeed Jesule was left behind in Malaga for the relatively short trip up the Andalucian coast to Almería. Veteran Argentinean Schurrer got a very rare start alongside teenager Kiko, who got the nod in defence with Armando dropping to the bench. There was place too for Edgar on the right wing (preferred to Molinero) in the starting line-up, which, because of the absence of Rosado due to injury, Muniz had reverted his favourite defensive 4-1-4-1 formation, with Counago up front on his own. So a major reshuffle by Muniz after picking virtually the same team over the past few weeks:

Malaga (4-1-4-1): Goitia; Jesus Gamez, Kiko, Schurrer and Valcarce; Gascon; Edgar, Sandro, Hidalgo and Calleja; Counago.

The game started at 19:00h in a still very hot afternoon in front of only 6000 spectators in the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos de Almería.

Malaga got off to the best of starts in only 9' when Counago was brought down in the box and HIDALGO converted the penalty, giving Valerio no chance as the ball whizzed in off the left post. GOOOOAAALLLLL!!!!

Almería 0 Malaga 1

Unlike in past games after Malaga went ahead, nobody relaxed and the visitors kept up the pressure, mainly through Sandro and Hidalgo through the middle. The new defence seemed secure and kept the Almería forwards away from troubling Goitia.

And so, Malaga increased their lead in 36' when Sandro put HIDALGO through on home keeper Valerio. The midfielder coolly placed the ball beyond the keeper and into the net to make it 0-2!!!!!

Almería 0 Malaga 2

This was a result beyond Malaga's dreams, but Calleja had a chance to put the visitors even further ahead but when he went into the area he saw his drive come off the left post.

This seemed to wake Almería up and Goitia had to make a point blank save from a powerful shot from Francisco. Just before half-time Mario Bermejo saw his effort come of the bar, but Malaga went into the dressing room at half time in a very favourable position, with things looking good for an away win which surely put to bed the worries of relegation.

Half time Almería 0 Malaga 2

We have often worried about the tea lady in Malaga's dressing room at half time, when the team has often reappeared sluggish and lacking in concentration. Indeed many games have been lost this season in the first ten minutes after the restart, so even with a two goal advantage; the worriers amongst us were not complacent.

But Malaga's nerves were showing and our worries were not misplaced, because in 55' Jesus Gamez was sent off for a second yellow card for a naive foul in the centre of the field.

Muniz reacted by making two changes: Silva on for Gascon (who had already been booked and may have followed Jesus Gamez for an early bath had he stayed on) and Molinero for Sandro. These changes showed Muniz's hand - with ten men and a 0-2 lead, he was going to try and defend this lead for the next 35 minutes.

Almería also made two changes directly after the sending off, bringing on two strikers, Corona and Crusat for defensive players Bermudo and Alberto respectively.

And in 58' Almería scored! Corona, who had just come on, sent in a lovely cross to the far post, where LARREA was waiting and the midfielder made no mistake.

Almería 1 Malaga 2

Malaga were now defending desperately and tried to hang on to their lead.

In 77' Almería manager Emery threw on another striker, the Nigerian International UCHE. He didn't disappoint his manager and scored the equaliser in 85' after a free kick given away by Counago.

The last few minutes were saw some desperate defending by Malaga trying now to salvage the draw. In 92' Armando was put on to shore up the defence even more at the expense of Counago.

Full time Almería 2 Malaga 2

The game turned on the sending off of Jesus Gamez and with Real Madrid Castilla snatching a draw at Murcia, Malaga must now go into their last two games knowing that if Castilla manage two wins in their remaining two games and Malaga lose, Malaga will be relegated. So a point from Malaga's last two games is all that is needed.

Next weekend is Malaga's last home game and it's against Cadiz; another Andalucian derby. Every game seems to be a crunch game, but at least this time Malaga know exactly what is required. We are desperate for this season to finish so that drastic plans can be drawn up for next season, where the stated aim is promotion back to the top league. At this juncture, that looks very ambitious indeed!!!

Next week Malaga vs. Cadiz? Never fear, Your Malaga Correspondent will be there!