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Jornada 11: Malaga vs. Numancia

Today's visitors are Numancia, sitting one point behind Malaga in second place in the Segunda. They boast the most goals scored in the league with the league's top scorer, Brit, with 6 goals in the first 10 games. And they are in little run of form having won three and drawn one in the past month, whereas Malaga have stuttered with two wins and two defeats. After the last three disappointing performances from his team, Muniz decides to introduce an additional midfielder, Apono, at the expense of a striker, Salva, who sits on the bench. Also left winger Eliseu gets a start at the expense of Calleja and Paulo Jorge returns on the right wing. These changes are encouraging because with a beefed up midfield, the forwards should have better service compared to previous weeks (i.e. none). We are in particular looking for a better performance from Hidalgo, who has been swamped in midfield. With Apono beside him, there should be more space for him to be more creative and support the lone striker, Baha.

Malaga (4-1-4-1): Goitia; Jesus Gamez, Rosario, Weligton and Rossato; Carpintero; Paulo Jorge, Hidalgo, Apono and Eliseu; Baha.

It's a 12:00 noon kick with the game being shown live on Canal+. Some 14,750 spectators turned up to see the top of the table clash, in 25C November sunshine. Malaga lose the toss and defend the Gol end.
But in the first minute, Jesus Gamez and Paulo Jorge combine well down the right to release Hidalgo running into the box. Visiting goalkeeper Jacobo has to react quickly to take the ball from Hidalgo's feet. In 3' Hidalgo finds Paulo Jorge wide on the right. The Portuguese winger puts in a dangerous cross into the box, which the Numancia defence can only clear to Eliseu, waiting 30 yards out, but the left winger pulls his shot well wide. It's an impressive start from Malaga - they are fit, strong and maintaining a quick tempo. Their passing is quick and slick and Numancia are being pinned back in their own half. In 14' Paulo Jorge beats his own previous record for collecting a booking (18') when he is booked for a feet-up sliding tackle. The free kick curves in towards Goitia who punches clear. In 16' Hidalgo puts Baha clean through into the box. The Moroccan is about to pull the trigger when he is upended from behind. A clear penalty!? No says the referee!! In 17' Weligton attacks a Paulo Jorge free kick but his effort flies over the bar. In 19' Eliseu is fouled wide left on the touchline. Paulo Jorge takes it short to Rossato but the Brazilian miskicks his shot and it is easily cleared. It's been all Malaga, with poor finishing denying them the lead their play deserves. In 23' Paulo Jorge takes yet another corner, which falls at Weligton's feet. The Brazilian centre back shoots - straight at Jacobo, who gathers easily. In 25' Malaga come closest yet. Hidalgo creates space around his feet for a shot. It's heading for the top corner and is only inches over with Jacobo beaten. In 27' Hidalgo, who has been more like his old self, tries an overhead kick from 6 yards but his shot is blocked. In 29' Eliseu shows some ball skills to get past his marker and gives Apono a great chance from 30 yards, but the midfielder's attempt is well wide. Malaga continue to dominate and Numancia's defenders are reduced to clearing anywhere, mostly into the stands. In 34' Jesus Gamez pushes the ball to Baha. The striker shoots powerfully and Jacobo has to make a great save to keep the scores level. In 35' Apono is hacked down 30 yards out by the overworked Numancia defence, who are showing some signs of frustration. Rossato takes the kick, but his shot is well over the bar. In 43' a Numancia free kick into Malaga's box results in Rosario going down in a heap. There is some confusion as the referee refuses to stop play to allow Rosario's head wound to be treated. Hidalgo eventually kicks the ball away. Jesus Gamez and Beranger are both booked after the melee.

Half-time Malaga 0 Numancia 0
Reflections: It's been all Malaga who have played some of their best football so far this season. They have been a joy to watch, but have failed to put Jacobo under too much pressure with some pretty woeful shooting.

After the restart, Malaga start where they left off. Paulo Jorge, who is also having his best game in a Malaga shirt, is upended. The free kick is taken quickly and wasted. In 49' Rosario, who is now sporting a head bandage after his clash at the end of the first half, has to be sharp to clear the ball from Alverez's feet. The Numancia number 5 has been strong and the pick of Numnacia's players going forward. In 51' Numancia tie Malaga up in knots with a series of passing moves which started down Malaga's right flank and ended up across the field on Malaga's left. As a result, a quick cross from the left to the near post is met by ALVEREZ who heads powerfully home from 6 yards with the ball entering the net in the top corner off the crossbar. Malaga 0 Numancia 1 It's a sensational goal and totally against the run of play. With Malaga dominating the game so far, the supporters have no doubt that the score is only a temporary aberration. After Carpintero passes straight to a Numancia midfielder, Muniz replaces him in 53' with Sandro, such that Malaga now have three creative midfielders on the pitch. In 58' Muniz makes his second change as he tries to reshuffle his side to try and get back on level terms. Winger Paulo Jorge is removed and striker Salva takes his place. Malaga change to a 4-1-3-2 formation with Apono playing slightly deeper than Sandro and Hidalgo. In 63' Eliseu gets to the by-line and crosses to Salva at the near post. The striker hits his shot on the turn but it's just wide and hits the side net. In 65' the best pass of the match. Sandro is in the centre circle and sends a delightful ball down the right wing where Hidalgo is running clear. Hidalgo, however, snatches at his shot/cross (?!?) which is woeful. In 68' Bolo goes down in the box after a Numancia corner. The referee waves play on as Bolo continues to lie in the box. Weligton brings this to the attention of the referee who stops play then promptly books Weligton! When Jesus Gamez complains about the booking, he too is booked. In 69' Eliseu's corner finds Salva in the box but the big striker heads just over. Things are not going Malaga's way despite all their continued pressure and Muniz makes his final change in 75' bringing on right winger Cheli for left back Rossato. In 76' Cheli makes an immediate impact and flies down the right wing and delivers a cross into the box to Baha. The striker's shot is blocked and the ball falls to Salva. The striker hits the ball first time but his shot cannons off the goalkeeper's legs and out. It is not Malaga's day! In 79' Bolo is replaced and top scorer Brit comes on. In 83' Brit easily beats Jesus Gamez all ends up but his shot is just wide of the post. In 85' Cheli again gets his cross in and finds Hidalgo. The midfielder is beaten to the ball by Jacobo who knocks it over the bar. From the resultant corner, Baha's shot is so wide it almost hits the corner flag. In 86' Baha has another chance from a cross from Jesus Gamez. Again Jacobo is equal to it and tips round the post. Only desperate defending by Numancia is keeping Malaga out. A draw is no more than they deserve. 89' Baha and then Salva both have shots saved by Jacobo from close range. 90' Rosario booked for pushing. 93' Hidalgo booked for dissent.

Full time Malaga 0 Numancia 1

It's Malaga's first home defeat of the season, but after their best performance so far. The goal which undid them was from the top drawer and hats off to Numancia who managed to survive against everything that Malaga threw at them. Another side would have been well beaten by Malaga on this performance. Numancia go top with Malaga second two points behind.

Next week another toughie as Malaga travel north to face third placed Sporting. It's again live at 12:00 on Canal+. Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be watching.