Match Reports

Malaga made the long trip to the Spanish north coast to Santander to play Racing in the second leg of the Copa del Rey (first leg 0-0). But with their eyes firmly on the league, starting with Cadiz on Saturday, eight of the normal first team were left behind - Jesus Gámez, Weligton, Rossato, Apoño, Antonio Hidalgo, Calleja, Salva and Baha did not travel.

Málaga (4-4-2): Arnau; Raúl Gaitán, Hélder Rosario, Jesule and Valcarce; Cheli, Carpintero, Sandro and Eliseu; Iván Rosado and Peragón.

It was a more attacking line-up than anticipated and perhaps Muñiz thought he could snatch a quick away goal to make the game more complicated for the home team (as away goals count double in the event of a draw), but in fact, Malaga were overwhelmed in first half an hour by a Racing very focussed and with an almost perfect tactical disposition.

As a result Malaga did not see the ball until they were 2-0 down. Both goals were the fruits of their defensive laziness at corners.

In Malaga’s only attack in the first third of the game Malaga-reject Cesar Numpty raised his leg and committed a clear penalty against Pink Iván, but Peragón wasted the opportunity when taking a very little run up.

Malaga only really reacted when Racing stopped in its push and Sandro began to have more seconds to look for passes in depth, but Malaga already needed to score two goals.

However, Cheli gave the first warning, in an excellent move with Eliseu but his shot went straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.

Half-time: Racing 2 Malaga 0

Malaga continued in its reaction in second half, with more pride than capacity. Racing lowered its intensity compared to how they started the game, but did not fail to take advantage of the occasions that allowed them to counterattack.

The changes of Muñiz, that introduced Gerardo and Paulo Jorge, for a taciturn Peragón and Hélder Rosário, respectively, made no difference to the play or final outcome.

Final score: Racing 2 Malaga 0

So Malaga took leave of the Copa and although they may have had a mouth-watering tie against one the big guns, it leaves their midweek’s free in January to concentrate on winning league fixtures and gaining promotion by the end of the season.

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 3:37 PM | Permalink

Having come through the initial qualifying rounds of the Cup, Malaga now face First Division team Racing in the first round proper. These matches are played over two legs and with away goals counting double in the event of a draw, manager Muniz stated his intentions before the game saying that the best result for him would be one in which his team did not concede.

In common with most teams, even though the winner is guaranteed a UEFA Cup place, it's the second strings that get a chance to show their bosses what they are missing and Malaga were no exception last night, with no fewer than nine changes from the team that started against Sporting at the weekend. This was despite Muñiz declaring yesterday that he does not have a "second string" and that each and all of his first team squad is able to occupy a place in the first eleven.

There were some tactical surprises too, with right back Jesus Gamez on the right wing and centre back Silva given the holding defensive midfielder role. Baha, the only fully fit striker on Malaga's books at the moment, retains his place up front on his own.

Málaga (4-1-4-1): Arnau; Raúl Gaitán, Hélder Rosário, Jesule and Valcarce; Silva; Jesús Gámez, Sandro, Stosic and Calleja; Baha

10228 was the official attendance, being lower than normal league attendances because season ticket holders had to pay to get in and also, as ever, the game was being televised live.

Muñiz looked for an alignment that could adapt to the conditions of the racinguistas, who used a formation very similar to their normal eleven, with the exceptions of a change at full back and striker Munitis, who remained on the bench. The malaguistas, with the framework ready by Muñiz, perfectly restrained their rival and, in addition, they were quick to counterattack .

The level exhibited by the local players was high, in the main, including Raul Gaitán who has just recovered from injury. The malaguista work rate neutralized the theoretical superiority and quality of their opponents. Jordi, Bolado and Duscher were the best for Racing, whereas Calleja, Sandro and, mainly, Peragón, recovering from injury, showed well in Malaga's attacking plays.

The dangerous approaches in each goalmouth amused a public solidly behind their team, although the brilliance of the game was little. Sometimes it was boring. Perhaps the worse thing was the injury of Baha, who dislocated his right shoulder in 25' and had to retire for Peragón to come on as his replacement. The mishap demolished the plans of Muñiz, who incorporated Geraldo and Apoño at half time to look for a good result for the return game.

The game began to open up in the second half and the alternatives in the offensive game were multiplied. Without having great opportunities, the eleven Cantabrians elevated the intensity with the participation of Munitis. But the malaguistas maintained their level in all the lines and they did not forget to attack either. Equality was the dominant note.

Malaga could have won the game due to several opportunities squandered by Peragón and if the referee had given a penalty when this same forward was brought down on the edge of the penalty area in a play in which the referee could have expelled the violator. Also Jordi for Racing could have scored, although the result can be considered acceptable for both. It was a sweet tie for the Malaga side that was playing a very defined style of game, based on hard work and good tactical positioning.

Now it will be necessary to wait for the return for the tie to be decided, on a date to be decided (either in December or January).

Full time Malaga 0 Racing Santander 0

On Saturday, Malaga are at home again to take on the other Racing, Ferrol, in the league. Never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 7:59 PM | Permalink

As has become the custom for cup games, the first team regulars are rested and a chance given to the squad members who don't feature in the starting eleven and also an opportunity given to some of the players from the Malaga B team. So the team which faced Tenerife was very different from the normal Malaga line-up. Malaga B centre back Lobato is given a chance at right back and Portuguese misfit is moved from his habitual right wing berth to support Ivan Rosado up front.

Malaga (4-4-2): Arnau; Lobato, Silva, Jesule and Valcarce; Cheli, Apoño, Sandro, and Eliseu; Paulo Jorge and Iván Rosado.

Just under 9000 spectators were in the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium for the 22:00h kick off in an agreeable temperature of 20C.

Malaga unsurprisingly took time to settle with so many players playing together for the first time. They played high up the field which meant the midfield area became very crowded and unsurprisingly, Tenerife took the lead after 23 minuntes, although through a fortuitous route. First Iriome benefitted from a clearance from Jesule which struck the body of his captain, Valcarce. SILVA went to clear but the ball came off the heel of his boot and went past Arnau for a comical own goal. Tenerife 1 Malaga 0 The goal seemed to wake Malaga up from their lethargic start and they began to have more of the ball. Tenerife were pressed back into defence and Silva almost scored at the Tenerife end when his header off a cross from the left came off the right hand post. Half-time Tenerife 1 Malaga 0 At the interval, Muñiz took the opportunity to recontruct the team. Malaga B centre back Lobato was substituted by Malaga B winger Gerardo, who had shone in the preseason matches. Winger Paulo Jorge, who had been playing behind Ivan Rosado as a second striker, moved to the right back position and Geraldo replaced him up front.
This change seemed to reactivate Malaga in attack, because Gerardo knew how to take advantage of the extraordinary work rate of Iván Rosado. At the same time, Apoño and Sandro entered game and started to impose themselves on midfield. Thus they were able to bring the wingers, Eliseu and Cheli, more into the game. A goal to tie the game was now just a matter of time. And it came in 61' after an excellent combination of passes following a run down the left wing by Eliseu, who passed to Sandro. The movement and intelligence of Rosado and Geraldo created space for ELISEU to take the final pass to score. Tenerife 1 Malaga 1 From that moment the Tenerife did not exist. Not even the successive changes of Oltra to give an offensive breath to the Canary Island side had any repercussion in the game. Definitively the Malaga had everything in its favour. They were superior to their opponents in all the zones of the field and played with tempo. Tenerife, affected psychologically, could not resist the gale. Malaga B right back Javi Ramos came on for Cheli in 72' and Malaga restructured again. Gerardo moved to the right wing and Paulo Jorge moved back upfield. But after a superb cross from the right wing by Gerardo eluded the Tenerife goalkeeper in 76' it was the substitute JAVI RAMOS who got onto the end of the cross to put the tie beyond the home side from five yards at the far post.

Full time: Tenerife 1 Malaga 2

Another victory for Malaga, which means nine played and nine won - a remarkable record. In the fourth round of the Copa, we see the First Division teams enter, so Malaga will be hoping for a glory tie against one of the big guns just to see how close to being ready to competing in La Liga they are.

On Sunday, it's back to league business when Malaga must travel to Elche in another live televised match. Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be watching!

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 11:14 AM | Permalink

Wednesday 5 September 2007 and a 21:00h kick off for a second round tie of the Copa del Rey, when the big clubs join the competition for the first time and which most of the bigger clubs use as an opportunity to give the fringe players in their squad some much needed match practice.

Malaga and Celta Vigo were no different and Malaga fielded a side with no fewer than 10 players changed from the side that started against Alaves in the league at the weekend.

Málaga (4-4-1-1): Arnau; Raúl Gaitán, Silva, Jesule, Valcarce (subbed by Iván Rosado, 70'); Cheli, Apoño, Sandro (subbed by Stosic, 54'), Gerardo (subbed by Calleja, 52'; Paulo Jorge; Peragón.

After going a goal down after 5 minutes, Malaga Reserves' style of play (or should that be no play) looked very remenicent of last year.

In the second half though Muñiz made some changes and Malaga ended the better side, punishing Celta for wanting to hang onto their slender 1-0 lead. A 30 yard screamer from Gaitán turned the game on the hour, then Malaga hit the bar and Cheli missed another sitter as he did on sunday (at least he's getting in the right places, that's a start).

Calleja was brought down for a heavily disputed penalty, but the ref was right behind him and immediately pointing to the spot. Apoño made it 2-1 and Malaga progresses to the next round of the Copa del Reyserves.

11,137 official attendance.

See the goals on:
http://www.canalsur.es/resources_inf/archivos/2007/9/6/11890849097462malaga.rm

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 8:15 PM | Permalink