Jornada 5: Sporting vs Malaga
Malaga made the long trip north to the Asturias to play Sporting in Gijon, a seaside resort on the Bay of Biscay coast.
Alonso made two changes from the team who lost to Numancia last week, with the return of captain Valcarce at left back, after injury, and Jonaton Valle was preferred to Counago, as Alonso opted for a 4-4-2 formation.
Malaga (4-4-2): Arnau; Jesus Gamez, Cesar Navas, Silva and Valcarce; Edgar, OJ Morales, Romero and Calleja; Salva and Jonaton.
Malaga's team selection was very defensive with two defensive midfielders, the Uruguayans Morales and Romero sitting in front of the back four. So it was not surprising that there were few opportunities in the first half. Malaga went behind in 19' after another defensive error, this time from Jesus Gamez, who attempted a suicidal pass back to Arnau inside a crowded penalty box. Congo stepped in to intercept and slot the ball past Arnau. Jonaton had two clear cut chances to score in a dull first half, both times when one on one with the goalkeeper and both times he hit the ball tamely straight at the prostrate keeper when a little chip into the empty goal would have produced a score.
Half time Sporting 1 Malaga 0
Alonso made two changes at half time with the ineffective Edgar replaced by Saul and attacking midfielder Sandro on for OJ Morales. Sandro's introduction in particular changed the course of the game and it was a fine through ball from him in 53' in the centre circle that found SALVA in the penalty box. The big striker did well to squeeze the ball past his marker and the unsighted goalkeeper to equalise.
In 62' Sandro tried to shoot from 30 yards after a Calleja corner, but he only succeeded in slicing the ball into the air. The centre back SILVA, who was standing outside the box facing Sandro, managed an athletic back header which looped into the air and over the goalkeeper for Malaga's second. A spectacular goal!
Malaga finished Sporting off in 80' when CALLEJA picked up a rebound from a blocked Salva shot and drove the ball into the net from a tight angle from the left wing.
Full Time Sporting 1 Malaga 3
In the end a good result for Malaga and with most of the other teams drawing in the Second Division on Sunday, they are catapulted from 12th to 4th position, just outside the three automatic promotion places.
Next week they get a chance to do even better when they face bottom club, Las Palmas from Gran Canaria, at La Rosaleda. Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.