Match Reports

Saturday 30th September 2006: 18:30h and 28C.
Malaga's start to the season could have been better with 3 wins and two defeats in their opening five matches. However, this is a big league with 22 teams, which stretches from September through to June and all of the teams have now suffered defeat. If Malaga hope to bounce back to La Liga in one go though, they will have to beat teams like Las Palmas at home. Las Palmas are newly promoted into the Segunda and have been struggling with their own start to the season, lying 21st after one win and a draw.
The all-yellow kitted team from the capital of Gran Canaria have an interesting history, as four seasons ago they were in La Liga and then suffered two successive relegations, then a promotion, so I suppose they are on an upward turn. Still, at this stage in both teams' development, on paper at least, Malaga should be too strong for Las Palmas.
Edgar, having been given some stick from the supporters and substituted at half time in both previous matches is dropped altogether this week. OJ Morales is also omitted, so there is a starting place for Saul and Sandro, who changed the game last week when they came on at half-time. Unfortunately Romero suffered an injury during the warm-up, requiring a very late change to Alonso's plans, so he drafted in Armando at centre back and pushed centre back Silva into midfield to play the holding role normally played by Romero. Jonaton Valle retains his place up front just behind Salva, despite an unconvincing display against Sporting last week. Otherwise the team is on familiar lines:
Malaga (4-2-3-1): Arnau; Jesus Gamez, Armando, Cesar Navas and Valcarce; Sandro and Silva; Saul, Jonaton and Calleja; Salva.
Las Palmas: (4-4-2): Pindado; Garcia, Aythami, Victor and Juanma; Cobas, Nauzet, Txiki and Fredy; Darino and Marquez.

In a dull opening spell, the first point of any note happens in 12' when Silva is booked for deliberate obstruction at a Las Palmas free-kick. This is Malaga's 23rd card of the season (remember this is game 6!!) the worst disciplinary record in Spain.
In 15', although Malaga have enjoyed the bulk of possession and had a few shots at goal, the best move so far happens when Malaga's best two players, Sandro and Calleja, combine down the left wing. Their neat interpassing ends with a drive from Calleja which disappointingly goes just wide.
In 16' Juanma is booked for a foul on Saul. The young winger has been giving the full back a torrid time and the referee loses his patience. From the free kick, Calleja finds Armando in the box. The centre half brings out a dive from keeper Pindado who saves on the line.
In 20' the game is turned upside down. It's been all Malaga so far, then Pindado makes a long clearance from his goalmouth. The ball lands at Cesar Navas' feet. The giant centre back (as he seems to do every week) tries to clear but only succeeds in passing the ball straight to TXIKI who makes no mistake from 18 yards. Another defensive error which is a setback for Malaga's ambitions.
Malaga 0 Las Palmas 1
In 22' there is an off the ball incident involving Salva and Darino on the half way line. The referee books them both. Card tally so far in the game: Malaga 2 Las Palmas 2. Malaga tally for season so far: 24.
The goal seems to breathe confidence in Las Palmas who suddenly become an attacking force as they look for a second goal to kill off the game. First Marquez tries a shot from 25 yards in 24' which is luckily straight at Arnau. Then Cesar Navas misskicks again allowing Nauzet a chance in 26' which goes narrowly past. In a panic in 29' Arnau tries to punch away a cross ball which lands at "Chicken" Txiki's feet. The goalscorer tries a lob but Arnau manages to scramble back in time. In 31' it's Txiki again, but this time Arnau gathers easily.
In 32' Nauzet, who seems to have the beating of Valcarce, is bodychecked by the full back. Although we are only half an hour into the game, Nauzet seems to take an awful long time to take the free kick and eventually the referee shows him the yellow card for timewasting. (Malaga 2 Las Palmas 3)
In 34' Nauzet brings down Jonaton from behind on the half-way line. He should be booked for this but this would mean a second yellow and therefore a red. So somehow the referee only awards a freekick.
Malaga try to reimpose themselves on the game and have a number of weak efforts on goal which are all easily mopped up.
Then in 40', it's Sandro and Calleja again with neat interpassing down the left wing. This time CALLEJA spots Pindado just off his line and whilst running into the penalty box, lifts the ball over the keeper's head and into the net. Superb goal!!
Half-time: Malaga 1 Las Palmas 1
Las Palmas seem to come out after half-time just keen to play out time and take the draw. So we are treated to every Las Palmas player anywhere near the ball going down and requiring treatment. The crowd are incensed at this and whistle and scream every time one of the yellow ones goes down.
In 61' Jesus Gamez shows his frustration with these tactics with a high tackle which earns him a booking. (Game: Malaga 3 Las Palmas 3. League: Malaga 25)
The following minute Txiki goes down with nobody near him, much to the loud annoyance of the crowd. This time it is serious though and the midfielder is stretchered off and replaced by Glez.
In 66' Cesar Navas's poor season continues when he is booked for bad tackle on Marquez. (Game: Malaga 4, Las Palmas 3. League: Malaga 26)
In 67' the disappointing and ineffective Jonaton is replaced by Counago.
In 71' Calleja finds Salva alone in the box but the burly striker cannot direct his header.
In 76' Hidalgo appears on the touchline and the board goes up for number 9, Salva, to come off. Before the referee allows this though, Saul breaks down the right wing and wins a corner. Saul takes it quickly and Counago's goalbound header is tipped over by Pindado in a fine save. The touchline board again goes up to make the Malaga substitution. Again, the referee ignores it. Saul takes the corner and this time finds SALVA, whose powerful header gives Pindado no chance.
Malaga 2 Las Palmas 1
Now the substitution can be made and Salva goes off to a loud ovation.
In 80' Las Palmas make a double substitution. Darino and Victor are replaced by Garro and Maric.
In 82' Counago is booked for dissent. (Malaga 5 Las Palmas 3: Malaga 27)
With the substitutions Las Palmas have changed gears and timewasting is out of the question as they now try to reclaim a draw which they barely deserve.
Malaga seal the game however in 84'. Long throw expert Jesus Gamez hurls the ball in from near the corner flag. It finds Sandro and the clever little playmaker slips it quickly to COUNAGO who in turn quickly lobs Pindado as the keeper comes out to him.
Full-time: Malaga 3 Las Palmas 1

A convincing result, but a far from convincing performance. However, this result pushes Malaga into third spot and in a promotion place. (Remember the top three go up - there are no play-offs in Spain at this level). Marcus Alonso still has not won over the fans, but as long as the team keeps winning there will be fewer complaints.
Next week, Malaga play away to Cuidad de Murcia, who will be looking for revenge after their recent Copa del Rey defeat at Malaga's hands. The next home game is the following weekend against Ejido, fellow Andalucians from the Almeria province. Never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.