Match Reports

The first game of the new season, always eagerly awaited, came on Sunday 26 August 2007, with a kick off time of 17:30h, in full bright sunshine and with temperatures in the high 30's, in front of an 11,750 crowd and live TV cameras.

The Segunda looks to be every bit as competitive this season with no fewer than 15 teams out of 22 who have played in La Liga and who all wish to return as quickly as possible. But there are only three promotion slots!

There are eight different clubs in the Segunda this season compared to last, with three down (Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo and Gimnastic), four up (Cordoba, Sevilla Atletico, Racing Ferrol and Eibar) and the controversial inclusion of Granada 74, a club which jumped 300 places from the minor leagues when Cuidad de Murcia was bought, renamed and relocated. It was only at 16:00h on Friday night that FIFA, UEFA and the Spanish FA (RFEF) agreed to their inclusion after meetings in Zurich and Lausanne in Switzerland by independent tribunals.

Manager Muniz has made sweeping changes to his squad, with over 25 players leaving the club during the summer and eleven new signings in his first team squad of 25. In his first eleven of the season, Muniz had no fewer than six players making their official first team debuts.

Malaga (4-1-3-2): Goitia; Jesus Gamez, Helder Rosario, Weligton and Rossato; Carpintero; Paulo Jorge, Hidalgo and Calleja; Salva and Baha.

Salamanca appear in their change shirts of bright orange (like Blackpool), whilst Malaga were in their normal blue and white stripes. We had to wait four minutes for the first goalmouth action and it was from Salamanca, but their striker's effort went well wide. In these early periods, Salamanca are dominating the game and we had to wait until the 9th minute before Malaga's first attack. Salva received a pass from fellow striker, Baha, who has one Moroccan cap, but the big forward had to turn and shoot and the result was high and wide. Malaga went closer two minutes later when Paulo Jorge (on loan from Benfica) sent a long cross over from the right wing. Salva headed the ball back across the goal to Hidalgo, who sent his drive just over the top. Malaga are looking menacing down the wings and Calleja appears down the left and finds Baha with his cross. Baha hits it on the volley and puts it wide. Then Salamanca took over and first Sanchez then Quique Martin run onto passes sending their shots just wide of the posts. In 19' Paulo Jorge is the first man booked for an energetic tackle from behind in midfield. Salamanca force the first corner of the game in 22' which Jesus Gamez heads clear. In 23' Malaga's best move of the game so far after a run down the left wing by Calleja. The winger finds Hidalgo clear in the box, but instead of finishing, he turns, looking for Salva and passes back to him. The striker is not expecting the pass and Salamanca recover to clear the danger. In 24' Jesus Gamez takes a throw to Paulo Jorge. He takes the return and sends in an inch perfect cross to SALVA who heads home powerfully from 6 yards. GOOOAAALLLL!!! It seemed to come out of nothing and was Malaga's first shot on target, but it's the first goal of Malaga's season and they are 1-0 up! Malaga 1 Salamanca 0 As was normal last season, Malaga seemed to go to sleep after their goal and allowed Salamanca to get back into the game. With Hidalgo alone in Malaga's centre midfield, Salamanca dominated proceedings with their playmaker, Cristo, particularly taking the eye.
They came closest to scoring an equaliser in 37' when Baha concedes a free kick 30 yards out from goal. The effort flies over the defensive wall and lands at Carpintero's feet. The defensive midfielder tries to hook the ball away, but instead deflects the ball such that Goitia had to make a full length diving save at his far post to push the ball around for a corner.

Half time Malaga 1 Salamanca 0

Malaga start brightly and Paulo Jorge heads across a deep Calleja cross to Salva on the six yard line, but goalkeeper Alberto makes a fine point blank save. Salva is a good six yard box player and is thriving on the service he is receiving from both wingers. In 50' Hidalgo is brought down and Rossato (who scored 10 goals from fullback for Benfica last season) takes the kick. Alberto again denies Malaga with a fine diving save to his far post. Calleja and Paulo Jorge are creating havoc in the Salamanca defence with their crosses and Baha and Salva both are denied by last ditch defending and fine goalkeeping. In 58' Paulo Jorge again finds Baha in the box, who again is denied by Alberto. In 59' Paulo Jorge is substituted to warm appreciative applause from the crowd. He is replaced by another new signing, right winger Cheli. In 64' Baha is withdrawn to be replaced by yellow booted local Malaga boy, Apono, signed from Marbella in June. He receives a very warm reception from the crowd. Hidalgo moves forward to fill the gap left by Baha up front. The young Moroccan has worked well and looks like he will be a big player for Malaga this season. But in truth, the removal of a striker for another midfielder, is worrying as Malaga seem quite content to defend their 1-0 lead to the finish. Salamanca seem to sense this and there follows a ten minute period when no Malaga player seems to manage to touch the ball and are chasing shadows. In 77' Calleja is replaced by yet another new signing, Eliseu, to make it nine debuts so far for Malaga players during this game. Eliseu's entrance seems to mark a change in attitude for Malaga, who now go back on the offensive. However, Goitia becomes Malaga's second booking in 83' for time wasting. In 84' Hidalgo intercepts a pass in the centre circle and slips the ball square to Salva. The striker sees Hidalgo break forward and produces the perfect return pass to him. Hidalgo is one on one with the keeper who rushes out to close the midfielder down. HIDALGO deftly lobs the ball over Alberto's flailing arms and into the net! GOAL! Malaga 2 Salamanca 0 In 86' Cheli breaks down the right wing and finds support from Apono in the box. The yellow booted one tries to curl the ball into the net but cannot get enough swerve and Alberto saves. In 89' Eliseu, who looks strong and fast, takes a pass from Hidalgo, beats two defenders and crosses from the by-line. SALVA is there to meet it and makes no mistake from 6 yards. GOAL!!!

Full time Malaga 3 Salamanca 0

In the end a convincing win for Malaga, who took their chances well. Some encouraging signs for the season ahead, with strong defenders in the Portuguese Rosario and the Brazilian Weligton and classy wing play from all four wingers on display today. And of course lethal finishing from Salva, who at 32 still looks sharp and fit and strong and will again be Malaga's top scorer if he gets good service from the wings. Three points and three goals plus a clean sheet. Yes, we are well contented with that result!

Video of Malaga's goals available on :

http://www.canalsur.es/resources_inf/archivos/2007/8/26/1188162396244malaga.rm