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.

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In heavy rain, albeit at 11C, 10,094 supporters turned up to watch Malaga’s last game of 2007 on the last shopping Saturday before Christmas.

Today’s visitors, newly promoted Sevilla Atletico (Sevilla’s second team and so cannot be promoted from La Segunda no matter where they finish in the table) have had a fantastic start to their season occupying a top six spot almost from Jornada 1.

Despite the fact that Malaga scraped a draw last week with a last minute own goal, Muñiz kept faith with his players by naming an unchanged team.

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

The stadium had an emptyish look about it with the fans seeking out cover from the driving rain. (Since 2003, this is only the third time I have not sat in my seat because of the weather. Our seats are behind the goal at the Fondo end and have no protection against the elements whatsoever).

Malaga started kicking towards the Fondo goal in the first half; perhaps the first time they have done this so far this season. Perhaps they were hoping that their record of not scoring during the first half would change with the change?

It looked to have worked as early as the third minute when Calleja twice got the break of the ball down the left side. He had an opportunity to shoot with the visitor’s defence in disarray, but with Salva and Baha both running into the box he elected to try a cross instead and the chance was lost.

That was about it for goal scoring chances in the first half for Malaga as both teams seemed content in the conditions to slog it out in midfield. Although Paulo Jorge and Calleja both started playing wide down their respective wings, again as the half progressed, they wandered into a very crowded centre of the park and it was almost a relief when the referee blew for half time.

Half time Málaga 0 Sevilla Atlético 0

There were no changes from either side upon the resumption and unsurprisingly, no change in the state of play on the park. Sevilla Atletico are a young side full of hopefuls wanting to break into the top side and were very well organised, particularly in midfield and defence. With Paulo Jorge now wandering aimlessly all over the pitch and Calleja tiring, it was the visitors who managed to get into the home penalty area on a number of occasions with only poor shooting and side net from keeping the score level.

The game was to change with the first substitution of the game, when perhaps Malaga’s only true winger, Eliseu was introduced at the expense of left back Rossato. Calleja dropped back into defence and the flying Portuguese winger took up the position wide left on the wing.

Eliseu gives Malaga a very different option when he comes on, because he has genuine pace and given proper service can create havoc in any defence. At first he wasn’t too effectual as the Sevilla defenders response was to bring him down on every occasion he received a pass that was not quite accurate enough. But his presence and running did cause Sevilla to become more defensive and Goitia was starting to wave his arms around to keep warm as a virtual spectator.

However, it needed a second substitution from Muñiz, bringing on Apoño for Carpintero in 70’, before there would be any breakthrough in the match, which was looking yet again destined to be a draw.

Carpintero is a defensive midfielder, very adept at breaking up attacks, whereas Apoño is a more skilled passer of the ball and with him and Hidalgo starting to spray the passes around, at last Malaga looked to be able to put the visitor’s defence under pressure.

Calleja and Eliseu combined down the left wing well in 77’ before the substitute crossed deep into the box. Both Salva and Baha were ready for the ball, but so were the Sevilla defenders. However they could only clear the ball to HIDALGO, who remembered how to shoot from 15 yards to open the scoring. GGGGGOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!

Malaga 1 Sevilla Atletico 0

Sevilla kicked off but Apoño intercepted the pass and sent Eliseu clear down the left wing. He raced down the wing and sent in an inch perfect cross for SALVA to crash home Malaga’s second! GOOAAAALLLLLLL!!!!! What a difference good passing and a bit of pace on the wing can make, especially when strikers such as Salva and Baha are so merciless if they get any kind of service. What a turnaround! The game was heading for a no-score draw and suddenly within a minute Malaga are 2-0 up!

Malaga 2 Sevilla Atletico 0

The scoring wasn’t over, but we had to wait until the last minute of the game to see a carbon copy of the second goal. Again, Eliseu was released in space down the left wing. Again his cross was perfect. Again SALVA was there waiting and ready to provide the finish! GOOAALLLLL!!!!!

Full time Malaga 3 Sevilla Atletico 0

In the end a convincing victory which puts Malaga back on top of the league pending the result of the Numancia-Cordoba game. However, on a driech Saturday evening, it is always a nice feeling to leave the football ground after seeing your team score three excellent goals and win 3-0.

There is a short break now in Spanish football over the festive season. Malaga’s next match is in the Copa del Rey on 2 January in the away second leg against La Primera side Racing Santander (first leg 0-0). The next league match is on the weekend of 5/6 January 2008 in Cadiz. The “Yellow Submarines” are now managed by ex Raith Rovers manager Antonio Calderon, who has seen them progress up the table since he took over in October. This is a local derby and a chance for a weekend away so we will be making the trip (about 3 hours) to enjoy the Three Kings and hopefully another Malaga victory! Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Enjoy yourselves over the Christmas and New Year period – take care and keep safe.

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Malaga travel for the second weekend on the trot, this time to Alicante, capital of the Costa Blanca, and home to Hercules. After their very strong start of seven straight wins, Malaga have been struggling and have been dropping points with regularity, with last week’s draw away to Gimnastic meaning also a drop to second place in the league, one point behind Numancia.

In the huge Rico Perez de Alicante stadium, the 9,000 crowd looked somewhat paltry as the players entered onto the field. Malaga were able to welcome back midfield general Hidalgo back from suspension and Peragon’s head injury incurred in last week’s game meant that Salva joined Baha up front for a promising 4-4-2 formation.

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

Malaga started the brightest and for the first 35 minutes of the half, they dominated the game, continuously encamped in Hercules’ half. The wingers stayed wide and Hidalgo was finding them with regularity. Their crosses into the box, though, weren’t of the required quality and again Baha and Salva were left looking for scraps. However, so much were Malaga dominant that it seemed almost a matter of time of time before they got a result for all their possession. Suddenly, though as so often seems to happen, Malaga’s high tempo and concentration lapsed before the break and some poor passes gave away possession in midfield which gave opportunities to show that perhaps Hercules weren’t just so easy to beat.

Half time Hercules 0 Malaga 0

Muniz’s half time pep talk seemed to work as again they started the brighter and had three attempts on goal within the opening five minutes of the second half. Hercules responded by making two changes in the next five minutes, bringing on Camara an attacking midfielder and Tote, a former Malaga and Real Betis striker to add some punch to their team.

Whether it was coincident with these changes, suddenly Calleja looked tired and unable to make any progress down the left. On the right, Paulo Jorge decided to leave the right wing for a free wandering role. As a result, Malaga’s midfield collapsed and Hercules began to take a firm grip of the game.

At least Muniz recognised Calleja’s frailty when he was replaced by the flying Portuguese winger Eliseu in 61’. But with Paulo Jorge totally out of the game, Hercules continued to take the game to Malaga, who once again had to rely on some strong defending from their centre backs, Rosario and Weligton.

It was a pity, because after the fine first half performance, Malaga should have been ahead and comfortably winning this match. Now, it looked to all the world that Muniz would be happy with the 0-0 draw. Very disappointing from a Malaga supporter’s point of view.

Now much had been said during the week in the local press about Malaga’s last four goals against all coming from set pieces and how they were going to spend all their efforts on the training pitch making sure that they could avoid more embarrassments.

However, in the 80’, Malaga conceded a free kick wide on the right. The free kick itself found a home player in the box, but his shot was blocked by Rosario. The ball could have gone anywhere, but it flew straight to Hercules full back Cesar, standing about 30 yards out. Malaga’s defence was all over the place and Goitia was off his line. CESAR sent a strong drive back into the area where it eluded everybody, including two defenders on the goal line and Hercules had taken the lead.

Hercules 1 Malaga 0

It was no more than both sides deserved, as playing for a draw is almost always going to lead to tears.

Muniz responded immediately with another panic stricken pair of substitutions. Off (at last) came Paulo Jorge and also full back Rossato. On came striker Ivan Rosado and wunderkid Gerardo, for Malaga to go into an attacking 3-4-3 formation to try and claim back the draw.

The fourth official was showing the 3’ added minute board when Malaga were awarded a free kick on the left wing, about 30 yards out. As you can imagine, into time added on, Hercules had brought everybody back and Malaga had thrown everybody forward. I looked very closely and saw that the kitchen sink was lingering around the penalty spot.

Young Gerardo, who recently signed a two year extension to his contract, lined up to take the kick. Salva whispered in his ear to go for goal. Gerardo indeed sent a delicious ball deep into the box, behind the mass of players but temptingly just out of reach for the goalkeeper. Centre back Sergio, under pressure from Weligton and Salva got to the ball first, but all he could do was direct the ball past his own keeper and into the net!

Hercules 1 Malaga 1

Well, Muniz got his draw after all and amazingly, the results elsewhere did not adversely affect Malaga’s 2nd position as both top team Numancia and third placed team Sporting also both drew.

Next week, Malaga return home for the final match of 2007, against fourth placed Sevilla Atletico, before the three week Christmas break, when they resume away to Cadiz on January 6th. Here’s hoping Muniz will be looking for a more positive result next Saturday night. Never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

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Malaga travelled to Tarragona, the Catalan town just south of Barcelona, to face the third of the relegated teams in a three game sequence. After losing to Real Sociedad and drawing last week against Celta Vigo, Malaga’s form against the better teams in this division has been found a little wanting.
There were just a few Malaga stalwarts in the 8,000 crowd to watch this game, again shown live on Spanish television. With Hidalgo suspended and Apoño picking up an injury in midweek training, Muñiz was forced to make changes to his regular midfield line-up. But Muñiz surprised many of us when the line-up was revealed as a 4-4-2 set-up with Silva (a centre back) lining up beside Carpintero (a very deep playing defensive midfielder) in the heart of the midfield. Although Eliseu was available after returning from his suspension, Calleja kept his place on the left wing, after his goal last week. Up front, Salva was surprisingly kept on the bench to allow the return of Baha, only recently returned from France after receiving treatment for a shoulder injury, which had kept him out of the squad for several weeks.

Malaga (4-4-2): Goitia, Jesus Gamez, Rosario, Weligton and Rossato; Paulo Jorge, Carpintero, Silva and Calleja; Baha and Peragon.

Malaga’s line-up, being so defensive, with in effect four centre backs on the field, none of whom can be trusted to accurately find one of their own players outside a five yard pass, inevitably found themselves under pressure from the kick-off. The wingers kept dropping back to try and gain some possession but the gap between them and the strikers was too great which again gave possession back to the home team. As a result, the game was littered with a number of petty fouls, born mainly from frustration from the midfield and also a number of offsides, with Malaga’s strikers caught trying to chase hopeful long balls.
Despite this, the best chance of a dreary first half fell to Baha. Carpentero’s lob over the top allowed the striker to run on behind the Nastic defence and try a shot at home keeper Roberto. His shot was on target, but weak and straight into Roberto’s arms.
Muniz’s plans were further disrupted just before half time, when the diminutive Peragon jumped for a high ball on the edge of the penalty area with Roberto. The goalkeeper got there first but also clattered poor Peragon, who lay still on the ground for too long before being stretchered off. He was replaced by striker Salva.

Half-time Gimnastic 0 Malaga 0

There were no further Malaga changes on at the resumption, so Muñiz continued with his negative spoiling tactics, despite the fact that the home team seemed incapable of getting a shot anywhere near on target.
In the 54’ the ineffective Paulo Jorge was replaced by Cheli, another like for like replacement. With no creative supply from the centre of midfield, changing wingers seemed another strange decision.
Both teams seemed content with the 0-0 draw as the game became a tedious continuum of stoppages for petty fouls and offsides.
But it was Cheli who broke from the right hand touchline to intercept a midfield pass in the centre circle in 77’. His momentum carried him onto the left wing where he turned and passed inside to Calleja. Maybe the left winger was embarrassed by Cheli appearing on his wing, we shall never know, but Calleja ran ten yards down the wing before sending over a peach of cross for SALVA. The big striker was surrounded by three defenders but somehow managed to rise above them, whilst simultaneously noticing that Roberto was standing on his six yard line. His powerful header looped over Roberto’s head and into the net. GOOOOAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!!!
Out of the blue. Totally undeserved. A bit of magic. Sheer class. What a great goal!
Gimnastic 0 Malaga 1
Would this awaken the game? Would we see more open play and more creative moves? Nope!
The pattern remained unchanged, except of course that Malaga were ahead and seemed to have miraculously stolen the three points. Even if they weren’t capable of another piece of magic, then surely their six defenders could hold on for the remaining fifteen minutes or so.
Well, they almost did. In 88’, Rossato conceded a free kick some 30 yards out near the touchline on Malaga’s left side. The free kick was taken with Malaga pulling all eleven players back into the box to defend and the ball was cleared from the area. It was picked up by Arpon, fully 30 yards out on Malaga’s right side touchline. The Gimnastic substitute hit the ball back into the crowded area. It bounced once and Weligton took a swing at it to try and put the ball behind. Unfortunately, he successfully directed the ball away from Goitia and into his own net!
It was no more than Gimnastic deserved from the game after all their possession and pressure.
Gimnastic 1 Malaga 1
Immediately Muñiz withdrew Calleja and brought on Eliseu. The speedy and tricky winger soon had the home defence in knots and with his first foray down the wing, sent in a glorious cross across the six yard line. Baha was waiting but the ball was intercepted for a corner before it reached him. But it was all too late and the referee blew on his whistle to end a dreary game in which Muñiz seemed to achieve what he was looking for – a draw.
Full time Gimnastic 1 Malaga 1

Next week Malaga are again on their travels, this time to the Costa Blanca to play Hercules in Alicante. They are one the sides gaining momentum in the table, sitting in seventh position. Another interesting match in prospect, but Muñiz may have all his players available next week to give him more options. I hope he will pick a side capable of winning next week, which was never really the case against Gimnastic. It’s again live on Spanish TV, so never fear, Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be watching for you!

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December 2 at 12:00 noon and with the temperatures in the high 20's, 14,474 people turned up to watch the match of the day in La Segunda which is being televised live on Canal+.
Celta were relegated last season and were one of the favourites before the season started to make a quick return to the top flight, just as they did three seasons ago. They have retained much of last season's team but after a difficult start, when they sacked their manager, former Bulgaria manager, Hristo Stoitchkov, and appointed Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, they have climbed up the table to sixth and have become a difficult team to beat.
Malaga see the return of Rosario in defence after his suspension and Muniz chooses Peragon ahead of Salva for the lone striker role in his 4-1-4-1 formation. Calleja returns on the left wing in the absence of Eliseu who was sent off last week and is suspended.

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

Malaga are in their normal blue and white stripes home strip whilst Celta are in their away colours of tangerine tops with black shorts (or Dundee United, for those who know).
In an unusual circumstance, both goalkeepers are wearing 13 and are respective captains of their teams.
Right from the kick off, Celta show their organisation across the field. They play in little triangles which meant that any time a Malaga player has the ball, he has three Celta players around him. This meant it was difficult to pass and difficult to run with no space to move into, so the home players resorted to looking for free kicks as they tried to free themselves from the shackles of the close marking. These triangles also worked for Celta in attack as the player in possession always had two other team-mates around him in support.
In addition, the Celta players all seemed to be over 6' tall, which meant that Malaga's frustration with Celta's close marking meant that they were reduced to trying long balls down the wings or to the 5'3" lone striker, Peragon. Thus Malaga were stifled at every turn and it became clear very early in the first half that Muniz's usual tactics and line-up were not going to be the answer against this opposition.
Malaga's only way through would possibly be through set plays or by use of their two wingers to stretch the Celta defence. Unfortunately, after his excellent performance in the last home match, Paulo Jorge had resorted to wandering all over the pitch in a free role, instead of providing the wide right option. On the left wing, Calleja did at least provide that option, but he seems unprepared to take on the full back any more and has lost all of his pace.
So Malaga's first effort on goal came in 8' when Hidalgo won a free kick at half way. Celta pulled all eleven into their own penalty box and when the ball arrived it was headed clear. Jesus Gamez, standing 35 yards out, did take a swing at it but the "shot" was several yards wide.
In 11' there seemed to be reasonable claims for a Malaga penalty when Hidalgo was sent crashing in the box chasing a through ball. The referee instead booked him for diving and he will miss next week's game through suspension after collecting five bookings.
In 15' Quincy, on loan from Spartak Moscow, showed what a winger should do when he completely outpaced the usually unbeatable Jesus Gamez and ran down the entire half before sending over a tempting cross into Malaga's goalmouth. Fortunately for the home side, there were no takers.
In 22' another close shave for Malaga when big striker Costa went up for a high ball with Weligton on the edge of the penalty area. For some reason Goitia raced out of his box and all three fell in a heap. The ball broke free and went just past Goitia's left hand post. It could have so easily gone in. Weligton came off worst and had to leave the field for treatment.
Malaga's next opportunity came in 26' when Peragon's header from a Rossato free kick was cleared to Paulo Jorge, but the Portuguese winger's shot was well off target.
In 29' the ongoing tussle between Weligton and Costa ended this time with a booking for the Celta striker for elbowing the Malaga centre back in the face. Weligton was again required to go off field to receive some further treatment.
In 35' Malaga get yet another fright when Weligton fails to hit his pass along the 18 yard line with sufficient power and Nunez intercepts and sends in a crashing shot which goes high and wide.
In 36' Celta's manager Caro attracts the attention of the referee who goes to the touchline and appears to give him a yellow card.
Celta's tactics have stifled out Malaga, who are showing signs of frustration. The usually noisy home crowd find they have very little to shout about.
In 44' Paulo Jorge is brutally brought down near the corner flag, for which Contreras receives a booking. Then Canobbio is booked for not retreating ten yards to allow the kick to be taken. Rossato takes the kick short to Paulo Jorge and the chance is wasted.

Half time Malaga 0 Celta 0
Malaga have not been able to make any passes and have been frustrated by Celta's superior organisation and strong aggressive play. On balance, Celta should probably have been ahead as they had the most clear cut chances.
What would Muniz do to try and turn the game around? Well he made one change at half time, bringing on Salva in a straight swap for Peragon.
In 47' Carpintero becomes the next booking for a dangerous tackle. He is Malaga's second booking and the sixth so far in the game and we're only halfway through!
From the freekick Costa gets a free header. He heads down powerfully from 6 yards but we all watch as the ball rises quickly and over the bar. Another let-off.
In 53' the first movement of the game from Malaga to show any promise. Some great interpassing from their own half to the opponent's bye-line between Jesus Gamez and Paulo Jorge sees a cross into the box for Hidalgo. He is upended as he makes to shoot - no penalty. But also no booking, which would mean a sending off for the midfielder.
In 54' Quincy again shows his pace. He intercepts a poor pass on the halfway line and hares towards the Malaga goal. Weligton tries to keep up with him but the winger easily leaves him in his wake. Costa chases down the right wing in support and when Goitia closes the angle on Quincy inside the six yard box, the Celta player passes to Costa to poke home. But no, the stand side linesman's flag is up for offside. Phew!!!
In 55' CANOBBIO takes a free kick from 35 yards. It seems to bypass everybody in the crowded box and somehow ends up in the net. It's a freak goal, but Celta deserve to be ahead.
Malaga 0 Celta Vigo 1
Muniz immediately makes his second change, bringing on Sandro for Carpintero. Malaga are going to flood the midfield in an attempt to get back in the game and change to a 4-5-1 formation with the three central midfielders in a line across the centre of the park. Will this work?
From the kick-off, CALLEJA receives the ball on the left wing. He runs unchallenged into the box and unleashes a shot which beats Celta keeper Pinto at his near post. GOOAAALLLLLL!!!!!! What a response! Out of nothing! And from a player you just wouldn't expect it from!
Malaga 1 Celta Vigo 1
Will the game open up or will both sides be content with a draw?
The pattern of play didn't really change, with continued strong tackling and misplaced passing from the home side.
In 65' Apono is the third Malaga booking of the day for body checking Costa.
In 68' Salva becomes Malaga's fourth booking as their frustration at not being able to play continues.
In 69' Paulo Jorge is replaced by Gerardo.
In 73' Canobbio is replaced by Jorge for Celta's first substitution.
In 76' flying winger Quincy is booked for fouling Jesus Gamez.
In 78' Goitia has to make a save down low from a fine shot from Costa.
In 80' Weligton has to leave the field yet again for more treatment. This time he reappears with a head bandage.
In 84' Costa goes off to be replaced by Guayre in a like for like substitution.
In 86' the final substitution when Quincy is replaced by Manchev.
With all these changes the game becomes even scrappier than before.
In 87' Gerardo almost connects cleanly with a Calleja pass, but he miss-hits and the ball goes wide.
In 88' Goitia is beaten but Weligton manages to get back to clear.
In 90' Vitolo becomes the fifth Celta Vigo player booked for a foul on Salva. In the furore over the booking the referee brings out his book again for Contreras. It's the Chilean's second booking and he's sent off.
Full time Málaga 1 Celta Vigo 1

It's not been a pretty game, but a draw (Malaga's first of the season) seems to be a good result for Malaga who were outplayed for long periods of the game. Celta keeper Pinto did not have one save to make in the whole match which sums up Malaga's attacking performance. The draw means that Malaga still stay top but second placed Numancia are now just one point behind them.
Next week, Malaga travel to Tarragona for their third game in a row against the newly relegated sides from La Primera, when they play Gimnastic in another live TV match on Saturday night. They will have to play without Hidalgo and perhaps Muniz will have learned that one set of tactics will not get him through the season as he faces the different challenges the different sides present him. The following week sees a second away game on the trot when Malaga travel to the Costa Blanca to play Hercules in Alicante.
So it's a wait of three weeks before Malaga's final home game of the year and before the winter break against Sevilla Atletico. Never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

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Malaga made the trip north to the beautiful city of San Sebastian, the jewel of the Basque Country, to play the first of three games in a row against the three teams relegated from the First Division at the end of last season, Real Sociedad, with Celta Vigo and Gimnastic to follow.
Real Sociedad have not had their troubles to seek, finding adapting to La Segunda equally as difficult as Malaga did last year. Indeed, many of the senior players are threatening strike action over a heavily in-debt club trying to restructure its finances by suggesting that the players take a drop in wages and that part of their wages be consequent on the team gaining promotion this year. Trainer, Welshman Chris Coleman, the former Fulham boss and ex-Crystal Palace defender, has found his first season in Spanish football a tough baptism and his job hangs in the balance after some poor results that have found the promotion favourites languishing in 14th place, some 13 points behind the leaders, Malaga.
So Malaga enter the fray against a club who have not won in the last five games, still buoyant after their 4-2 home defeat of Racing Ferrol last week.
Manager Muniz is forced to make a couple of changes to the starting eleven as centre back Rosario is suspended (replaced by Jesule, making his first appearance in the league this season) and Salva, replaced by Peragon, is recovering from an injury sustained in a charity match held during the week between Friends of Ronaldo and Friends of Zidane,. On the plus side is the return of Jesus Gamez at right back after completing his suspension. Wunder-kid Gerardo, who turned the game last week when he came on at half time, has to be content with a place on the bench.

Malaga (4-1-4-1): Goitia; Jesus Gamez, Weligton, Jesule and Rossato; Carpintero; Paulo Jorge, Hidalgo, Apoño, and Eliseu, Hidalgo; Peragón.

In driving rain, in front of 16,714 spectators in Anoeta, the home side suffered a blow to their hopes when ex-Malaga right back Gerardo had to leave the field in 4’ with a pulled muscle to be replaced by the youngster Castillo.
However, this setback did not seem to upset their rhythm and they set about forcing the game in and around the Malaga penalty area. The early pressure paid off when they went ahead in 9’ when from a corner from Xabi, the Malaga defence cleared only as far as Mikel Aranburu, lurking just outside the box and he scored left footed past the outstretched and despairing figure of Goitia in the Malaga goal.
Real Sociedad 1 Malaga 0
Although Sociedad continued to dominate the first half, Malaga did have chances, especially through the wing play of Eliseu on the left. He had a chance to equalise on the counter attack with his pace, but instead of running in on goal, he opted instead for a 40 yard pass to Mr Nobody.
Rossato came close in 22’ with a free kick with keeper Riesgo beaten, but defender Mikel Gonzalez managed to turn the ball round the post.
Eliseu came close when he tried a long range effort just before halftime but Riesgo made a brilliant save to deny the left winger.
Half time Real Sociedad 1 Malaga 0
Muniz changed things at the start of the second half, taking off Carpintero and replacing him with Gerardo. Pushing Hidalgo forward to support Peragon, Malaga went to a 4-4-1-1 formation.
The change had an immediate effect as Malaga started to take charge of the game and in the opening exchanges of the second half, Malaga had several opportunities to draw level, the best of which came from Rossato in 55’, which again produced an excellent save from Riesgo.
All the good work was undone in the 65th minute, though, when Eliseu was shown a second yellow card and sent off. Although Muniz immediately brought on striker Salva for Paulo Jorge, the 10-men were always going to be up against it.
The game was put beyond Malaga’s reach in 73’ when Carlos Martinez scored his first professional goal after a clever free kick by Xabi.
Real Sociedad 2 Malaga 0
Muniz brought on Calleja for Rossato immediately afterwards, but Real Sociedad were able to control the last fifteen minutes of the game to gain the victory which saw them jump six places up the table to 8th.
Full time Real Sociedad 2 Malaga 0

For Malaga it was an opportunity lost to extend their lead over their rivals at the top of the table, especially after Numancia lost at home 0-2 to Granada 74.
It is as well to remember that the top three teams are promoted from the Segunda and after 14 games played, Malaga still have a cushion of 8 points over the fourth placed promotion rival, Elche, as Sevilla reserve team Sevilla Atletico cannot be promoted. With another two tough games against former First Division clubs on the immediate horizon, will that cushion still be intact?
Next Sunday, Malaga are at home to Celta Vigo. Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there!

Segunda Table

1 Málaga 30
2 Sporting de Gijón 27
3 Numancia 27
4 Sevilla Atlético 24
5 Elche 22
6 Celta de Vigo 21
7 Hércules 20
8 Real Sociedad 20
9 Gimnástic Tarragona 19
10 Salamanca 19
11 Tenerife 19
12 Granada 74 19
13 Córdoba 19
14 Eibar 18
15 Castellón 17
16 Racing de Ferrol 17
17 Alavés 16
18 Cádiz 15
19 Polideportivo Ejido 15
20 Xerez 12
21 Albacete 10
22 Las Palmas 9

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After last week's long trip north to Gijon, Malaga face Racing who have made possibly the longest footballing trip on mainland Spain from Ferrol, in Galicia, in the north west corner of the country to the most southerly city, Malaga, in the top leagues. Racing, promoted from last season's Segunda B for this season's competition in the Segunda, had a strong start to the season, with a particularly impressive away record, but have hit a patch of poor form recently, having not won in their last five games, stretching back to the end of September.
Malaga, on the other hand, top the table with 9 wins in 12 games and 27 points, the same number of points they accrued by the end of the first half of last season (21 games) and after last week's away win against third placed Sporting and a creditable draw in the Copa del Rey against First Division Racing Santander, they enter this game full of confidence, looking to keep the leadership of La Segunda. Malaga are forced to make a couple of changes from their habitual line-up, as right back Jesus Gamez is suspended and striker and top-scorer Baha, who was to be joining the Moroccan squad this weekend for two international matches, is out for four weeks with a shoulder injury after it was dislocated during the midweek cup match. Raul Gaitan, who has just recovered from a lengthy injury himself, makes his first appearance in the team in the league as a direct replacement for Jesus Gamez and Salva, also returning from injury, takes over from Baha up front.

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

It's a Saturday 18:30h kick off at La Rosaleda, the temperature is 16C and the crowd just under 12,000 (11,907) as Malaga win the toss and elect to defend the Fondo end (i.e. the goal behind which we sit) in the first half. Malaga are in their normal home strip of blue and white stripes, whilst Racing are playing in all-green.

Racing are known for their strong defensive play and counterattacking style, but it is they who start the brighter and come very close in 4' when left winger Lamatina runs past Gaitan and sends in a curling drive that just skids past the far post with the Malaga defence including Goitia static. It's all Racing in the opening exchanges as Malaga can't string any passes together and Weligton has to concede the first corner of the game in 8'. Salva, back defending, heads the resultant cross clear. Malaga almost score a spectacular goal in 13' when Racing keeper Queco, clearing a loose ball from outside his penalty area, hits the ball straight to Paulo Jorge in the centre circle. The Portuguese winger reacts quickly to send a high shot towards the goal. The ball is dipping nicely under the bar but Queco somehow manages to race back and tip the ball over to save his blushes. In 14' Gaitan, who has been having a torrid time dealing with Lamatina, is the first to be booked in the match for body-checking the winger. In 15' Racing go close again when Jaime tries an overhead kick from 12 yards which just goes wide. In 16' we have Malaga's second attempt of the game when Paulo Jorge, who seems to be sticking to the right wing channel more this game, whips in a cross which carries over to left winger Eliseu. Instead of heading home, the winger sticks out a leg and the shot goes wide. In 18' there is a bit of a stooshie after Carpintero sticks out a leg on the centre line to try and intercept a Racing pass. The ball carries all the way back to Goitia who picks it up under pressure from Racing striker Pereira. The referee immediately blows for a free kick for the goalkeeper picking up a pass-back! You can imagine the referee being surrounded by Malaga players protesting but an indirect free kick inside the penalty area is still the result. All Malaga's eleven players line up in their penalty box in front of an anxious Goitia, but amid a cacophony of whistles and jeers from the crowd, Racing waste the chance by blasting the ball well over the bar. After 25' we see Malaga's best move of the game so far. Weligton, the Brazilian centre back, sends a 40 yard pass wide right, as only Brazilians seem able to do and it's met perfectly by the strong running Paulo Jorge. The winger whips in a delicious cross for Hidalgo, who lets fly from 30 yards. It looks goal-bound but just at the last moment curls wide of the post.
In 30', a disaster for Gaitan and Malaga. The right back is at the left post all alone when he meets a hard drive across the goal from the right wing and puts it past Goitia for an own-goal, a goal which Racing probably deserve for their pressure to date. Malaga 0 Racing 1 From the kick off, the ball is easily gathered by Queco, who seems to dither with the ball. When Salva protests to the referee about the time wasting, he is booked. In 32', Jaime is booked for a studs-up tackle on Eliseu. In 40' Gaitan is again beaten easily on Racing's left wing by wily striker Pereira who curls in his shot which slips into the goal at the far post. Malaga 0 Racing 2 It's not in the script but Racing thoroughly deserve their two-goal lead as they have kept their composure and their passing has been along the ground and accurate, whereas Malaga's balls have mostly been up-and-under, hit-and-hope efforts. In 42' Malaga almost make an immediate reply when Paulo Jorge, who's had his best game in a Malaga shirt this season, again finds Hidalgo with a fine cross from the right. The midfielder does everything right, heading down, but the ball bounces over the bar. Malaga go all out for the first time this half to try and peg one back before half time.
In 44' Eliseu finds Salva near the penalty spot from the left wing and the striker's header is headed off the line by Jaime. As Queco and Paulo Jorge challenge for the loose ball, it's Malaga's winger who gets there first and turns the ball back into the danger zone to Carpintero. The defensive midfielder sends in a powerful drive at the empty goal but the ball comes off Hidalgo's head and goes over. In 45' Salva sends Paulo Jorge away again down the right wing. Again the winger finds Hidalgo up in support. The attacking midfielder shoots sending Queco the wrong way but the ball comes of the keeper's feet and goes clear!

Half-time Malaga 0 Racing 2

Malaga are 2-0 down at half-time and some radical changes are needed to get themselves back in the game. Gaitan looks lost at right back and somebody is needed to calm things down and spread the ball around on the ground in midfield if Malaga are to get back into the game.
Muniz must have read my thoughts, because he made two changes at the start of the second half. They were much more radical than the changes I would have made though! Right enough, off was Gaitan after a miserable first half performance where he had responsibility for both Racing's goals, but also off was the other full back Rossato!
On came Sandro, the little creative midfielder and Gerardo, the boy wonder winger from the Malaga B team, who had shone in preseason and in the Copa games with his pace and direct running. The only offputting thing about Gerardo is his striking resemblance to Ferg, a "striker" from a past Brechin City under-16's side and now married to Alison Dean! So Muniz reshuffled his team with three at the back, with Carpintero dropping back to join Rosario and Weligton. The midfield area looked a bit crowded with Apono slightly behind Paulo Jorge, Gerardo, Sandro and Eliseu and Hidalgo slightly advanced to support Salva in a 3-6-1 formation!
Well, with seven midfielders on, including Carpintero, there should be some improvement in this area of the park! It's a radical and bold move from Muniz, but at 0-2 down at home, needs must. Right from the restart, Malaga take control of game and occupy Racing's half. The crowd sense the change in attitude and style i.e. all-out attack and the noise levels in the ground rise to eleven! In 47' Hidalgo, who seems to relish his new-found freedom, is completely on his own when he receives a pass from Paulo Jorge, but he snatches at it and blasts over. Malaga keep up the pressure egged on by the crowd. In 48' Paulo Jorge sends in another excellent cross which Queco can only tip over for a corner. PJ's corner finds Weligton but the Brazilian's header is deflected over. The resultant corner is cleared into the stands. In 58' Eliseu wins a corner. Rosario blasts in a shot but it's deflected for a corner. PJ finds Salva with the kick but the striker's header drops wide of the post.
It seems a tale of woe, but at this point we did not think that the game was lost despite the number of missed opportunities. The enthusiasm of the crowd and the noise seemed to lift the players and keep them focussed. Then the breakthrough in 61'. Gerardo goes down in the box, just inside the "D". We are watching the ball, thinking no more of it, but no, the referee has stopped the game and is pointing to the spot. He's given a penalty! Well, Malaga have had more obvious penalty appeals this season and probably every other season, but no matter. There seems to be a debate about who should take the kick with both Salva and Hidalgo standing over the ball. But it's HIDALGO who takes the kick and sends it expertly just inside the left post. GOOOOAAALLL!!!! Malaga 1 Racing 2 It's no more than Malaga have deserved since the restart, with their unstinting pressure on the Racing defence and despite it's origins, the goal gives everybody heart. Racing immediately bring on a substitute to strengthen their midfield area, which has been totally dominated by Malaga's six midfielders. In 66' the best move of the match and many matches. Eliseu is running with the ball down the left wing. His way is blocked by several defenders, so he sends the ball way across the park to Paulo Jorge on the right wing. The Portuguese gets to the by-line and sends in a powerful cross, which HIDALGO heads brilliantly past Queco into the net for the equaliser. GOOOOAAAALLLLL!!! And what a goal! The crowd are going tojo at this point. Malaga 2 Racing 2 Racing have no answer to Malaga's new formation and the power and drive of the home team is inspiring the crowd to near hysteria. Racing's bench are not happy with the referee and after an altercation on the touchline, the visiting manager is sent to the stand. In 67' further remonstrations from the Racing bench sees one of the substitutes receive a red card and he is also sent to the dressing room! Malaga keep up the pressure, looking for the winner.
In 70' Gerardo, who is proving a thorn to the Racing defence with his direct running, is brought down near the by-line just outside the box. Paulo Jorge's free kick finds Rosario but the centre back's drive is deflected for another corner which Queco gathers on his line. In 73', another booking for Racing when Ceballos blocks Paulo Jorge on another run down the wing. The winger is injured and needs some attention. In 76' another substitution for Racing with brick shithouse Keita coming on for Jaime to further bolster Racing's midfield. Keita almost makes his mark immediately with a dipping long range effort which Goitia just tips over. In 78' another fright for Malaga when Weligton passes straight to the dangerous Pereira. The little number 10 runs at goal and his shot is just stopped by Goitia. In 79' Gerardo sends in another superb cross across the six yard line, just needing the slightest touch, but there are no takers. In 81' Rosario is booked for a feet-up tackle and a corner is conceded as a result of the free kick. For the first time this half the crowd is strangely silent but the danger is cleared. In 83' Paulo Jorge, who has not recovered fully from that earlier tackle, is replaced by Peragon. The Portuguese winger is given a standing ovation for his contribution. With Peragon on, Gerardo moves to the right wing, Hidalgo drops back into midfield and the little substitute striker moves up front alongside Salva. The next minute Salva collects a pass from Hidalgo in the centre of Racing's half. He could run at goal (if he had any pace) but instead elects to pass left to Eliseu, who is running down the wing in support. The winger seems to have a shooting opportunity himself, but instead elects to send in a hard drive across the 6 yard line. Hidalgo and GERARDO are both chasing in but it's the youngster who gets there first to stab the ball home. GOOOAAALLLL - the young winger has certainly made his mark on the game and is shouldered high by his team-mates as they celebrate the goal. Queco rushes out to the centre circle to protest to the referee, claiming that the goal was offside and was lucky not to be booked. Malaga 3 Racing 2 In past games, Malaga would have shut up shop and played the remaining minutes out, but the noise of the crowd seemed to carry them on a surf of pressure and in 88' Peragon and Eliseu's slick interpassing provides a chance for Salva, but Queco just gets there first. 4' are added on and Racing look for the equaliser.
A free kick given away by Eliseu on the centre line provides Pereira with another chance and forces a good save from Goitia. In 94' Sandro finds Gerardo wide on the right. He takes it to the by-line and passes to PERAGON. The little striker coolly controls the ball before swivelling round to prod the ball home from six yards to put the icing on the cake and end a sensational comeback for Malaga.

Full time: Malaga 4 Racing 2

A pulsating game full of incident and all 6 goals scored in front of us in the Fondo goal. An amazing recovery with a bold change of tactics and team from Muniz at half time when Malaga were struggling 0-2 behind. A fantastic result which keeps them top of the league for another week. Brilliant. Next week, the long journeys continue with another trip north to the Bay of Biscay and San Sebastian, when Malaga travel to play former Fulham manager Chris Coleman's Real Sociedad. The Basques were expected to bounce back and dominate the table after their relegation last season from the First Division and will provide another stern test for the malaguistas. Unfortunately, although to me a glamour game, this will be the first occasion this season when a Malaga match is not shown live on Spanish TV. However, never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will deliver a report on the match to keep you informed of their progress through what has so far been a very entertaining season.

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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.

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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.

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Malaga make the trip north to Albacete where the local side have had a poor start to the league and are languishing in fourth bottom and a relegation slot. Again the match is televised live on Spanish television, which may account for the sparse crowd in the Estadia Carlos Belmonte. Muniz makes only one change from the side who narrowly won against Xerez last week, with Salva getting a start ahead of Peragon. Malaga (4-1-3-2): Goitia; Jesus Gamez, Rosario, Weligton and Rossato; Carpintero; Cheli, Hidalgo and Calleja; Baha and Salva. Malaga win the toss and start brightly against Albacete in their all white with gold trim strips. Malaga are in their familiar purple and green half panelled away strips.
In 3' Calleja almost put the visitors ahead when he charged down goalkeeper Javi, but the ball spun into the side net. With Malaga pushing forward, Hidalgo accepts a pass from Salva 20 yards out but his shot is woeful, narrowly missing the corner flag. But after this fine start, Malaga resume their tendencies of previous matches, giving up the midfield to the opposition, seemingly quite content that they have a strong defence and sharp forwards. Carpintero was not able to control or pass the ball and Hidalgo again looked lost all alone in midfield.
For the system to work, Carpintero and Hidalgo should be feeding the wingers at every opportunity. Cheli and Calleja should then be running down the wings and sending in crosses for Baha and Salva to convert. Both strikers (and Peragon) this season have shown that all they need is a half chance. Unfortunately, neither Carpintero nor Hidalgo were capable of this and indeed, Calleja now looks so short of pace that he is not prepared to run with the ball and looks to pass it on as soon as he gets it. The result is that Malaga are reduced to hopeful long balls coming from defence and hopefully finding their forwards. As a result, Albacete were allowed to get into the game and soon began to dominate proceedings. In 25' Rossato was booked for a clumsy foul on Albacete's ring wing. From the resultant free kick the ball ended up in the net, but the referee blew for a dubious offside. In 36' a rare advance upfield by Malaga saw Cheli putting the ball right onto Baha's feet, but the striker's shot was pulled wide. But it's all Albacete and Goitia was forced to make two excellent saves just before halftime. Hidalgo had the best chance of the game so far though on 45'. A Calleja cross into the box from the left had Salva challenging Javi for the ball on the six yard line. Both striker and goalkeeper went down in a heap and the ball broke to Cheli who quickly passed square to the unmarked Hidalgo, standing in front of an open goal. He snatched at his shot and watched it go unbelievably wide.

Half time Albacete 0 Malaga 0

Muniz made a change at half time with Eliseu coming on for Calleja. But the substitution made no change as the central midfielders struggled to keep possession or make positive passes. In fact in 51' Carpintero, who was having a nightmare of a game, passed straight to an Albacete midfielder who promptly crossed the ball into the box. The unmarked CALAHANDRIA ran in and headed easily past Goitia to put the home side ahead, which they thoroughly deserved. Albacete 1 Malaga 0 Directly after the restart, Albacete almost go 2-0 up with another header, which was just wide. Muniz immediately made his second change, replacing Carpintero with Sandro, who had transformed Malaga the previous week after coming on. In a desperate measure, Muniz made his third change in 64', bringing on Peragon for Cheli. This seemed a peculiar change to me. Malaga were struggling in midfield and should have brought on another midfielder, rather than a third striker. The two existing strikers had seen little enough of the ball to suggest that a third would make any impact. In 67' Rosario was booked for a feet-up tackle as Malaga's defence was tiring after the continuous pressure. It looked to all that Albacete were going to take the three points at 1-0 as Malaga were not providing any threat to Javi's goal. Then in 84' Alegre was given a straight red card for an elbow on Eliseu. Was this the breakthrough that Malaga needed to spur them on? Was Lady Luck about to smile on them again and rescue them from a very poor performance? Well, the answer came in 90'. A ball hooked into the box by Sandro for Peragon resulted in the little striker being pushed to the ground in the penalty box. The referee pointed to the spot. Penalty! Salva strode up and put the ball past Javi. But wait, no. The referee hadn't been ready and ordered a retake. Again SALVA finished the job expertly. Albacete 1 Malaga 1 Albacete did not deserve this reverse and to their credit pushed forward looking for a late winner. Unbelievably, the referee gave a second penalty inside five minutes when Weligton was adjudged to have pushed substitute striker Cesar in the box. BARKERO made no mistake from the spot kick and Albacete got their win. Full time Albacete 2 Malaga 1

Malaga have been living on their reputations for a few weeks now, but their dubious tactics of strong defence, no midfield and long balls to opportunistic strikers finally seems to be catching up on them. They remain on top of the table even after this defeat, but now by only one point over Numancia, whom they face next week in La Rosaleda. Never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

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Malaga returned to La Rosaleda on Sunday 21st October 2007 after their first defeat of the season away to Elche, hoping to return to winning ways against local Andalucian rivals, Xerez, who have been struggling in the lower reaches of the league since the start of the season. In front of a 14,426 crowd, Muniz at last made a change to his "normal" first eleven, by dropping the out of form Paulo Jorge and giving Cheli his first start of the season on the right wing. Salva had again to be content with a place on the bench.

Malaga (4-1-3-2): Goitia; Jesús Gámez, Rosario, Weligton and Rossato; Carpintero; Cheli, Hidalgo and Calleja; Peragón and Baha.

Xerez started the game strongly, no doubt having watched the tapes of Malaga's defeat the previous weekend. And so it seemed that the pattern established at Elche was to be followed, as Malaga were pinned back in their own half and the midfield bypassed by long high clearances hoping to reach the forwards - sound familiar? Only after the visitors had come close by striking the woodwork three times in the first twenty minutes, did Muniz realise that he had to make a tactical change or his team would be overrun again. Indeed as early as the 15th minute, he had Sandro warming up on the touchline and sure enough the little playmaker made his entrance in 27' at the expense of Peragon. So Malaga changed to a 4-1-4-1 formation with a beefed up midfield and Baha alone up front. The transformation was immediate with the ball now played along the ground and Malaga started to show more in the game. And within four minutes, Malaga were ahead. Baha ran onto to a through ball and crashed in a shot from twelve yards which the goalkeeper could only parry. ROSSATO was first to pounce and the Brazilian full back made no mistake from 6 yards.

Malaga 1 Xerez 0

In truth the game was completely transformed and whereas before Xerez were dominating the game, now Malaga seemed to be in complete control. Having said that, Muniz seemed to wish to just defend his lead instead of finishing off a very poor Xerez side and so there was to be some nail-biting moments before the final whistle.

Still 1-0 was the final score and Malaga return to their winning ways and remain three points clear at the top of the table.

Next week Malaga are away to another struggling team, Albacete, in yet another live televised match. Never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be watching!

Goal: http://www.canalsur.es/resources_inf/archivos/2007/10/21/1192995285144malaga-zerez.rm

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 12:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sunday 14 October 2007 and yet another live televised match for Malaga. The game gets top billing in the absence of La Liga teams because it is an international weekend.

In the Martínez Valero Stadium in Elche, 6,829 spectators showed up to see if the home team could stop Malaga's record-breaking unbeaten run of seven games since the start of the season. During the week, the newspapers had been full of the fact that Malaga's strength this season - the solid back four and in particular, the centre backs, Weligton and Rosario, were to be given their stiffest test yet against two strikers who are the tallest in Spain, with the giant Miguel a mere 6'8" and the Englishman, Noel Williams. Nevertheless, Malaga manager Muniz stuck with the formation that had done so well for him, which meant fit again Salva had to be content with a seat on the sub's bench.

Málaga (4-1-3-2): Goitia; J. Gámez, Rosario, Welington and Rossato; Carpintero; Paulo Jorge, Hidalgo and Calleja; Peragón and Baha.

The game started briskly, with goalkeepers having to be alert in the opening minutes, although it was Elche who began to take the initiative, so that Malaga was pushed back with all eleven players in their own half. Indeed the two powerful front men were proving difficult for Malaga's centre backs and as a result, the midfield was again missed out with Malaga reduced to trying to clear their lines and find the front men with high long balls. Elche could have gone ahead in 14 minutes. Pere Martí hurled a throw-in to the near post and Williams back-headed across the goal and just wide of the far post with Goitia watching hopelessly.
With Elche pushing up, the strong running of their forwards and the ineptitude of Malaga's midfield to make any impression on the game, it was no surprise when Elche took the lead in 34 minutes. Víctor Gómis put it a swilrling cross from the right wing and the giant Miguel got in front of Carpentero and chested the ball down to the unmarked FAJARDO running into the box and the Uruguayan shot low past Goitia.

Elche 1 Malaga 0

If Muniz was analysing how his team could back into the game he made the wrong decision at half time. He withdrew the hopeless and completely ineffective Paulo Jorge and brought on another striker, Salva, with the side changing to a 4-3-3 formation. However, the problem lay in the fact that Hidalgo and co in the midfield had been posted missing, so that a third striker just meant that the hopeful clearances from defence had one more opportunity to find somebody. I suppose the strikers have been on form and have been scoring goals from less than half chances, but this was a very poor tactical decision. And before Malaga could even adjust to their new formation, they went behind further. Calleja lost possession at the half way line and the ball was picked up by Noel Williams, who then hared down the vacant right wing. Looking up, he saw his strike partner Miguel loping through the centre of the park and sent in a curving cross to him. The long legged MIGUEL stuck out his leg beyond Weligton to prod the ball home past Goitia.

Elche 2 Malaga 0

The home crowd went into some sort of delirium as they were in total control of the game against a clueless Malaga side and were fulfilling the promise made by the Elche manager David Vidal that they would be the first team to beat the league leaders. His tactics were spot on and Muniz had no answer.

Full time

Elche 2 Malaga 0

See the goals on:

http://www.canalsur.es/resources_inf/archivos/2007/10/15/11924343948571malaga.rm

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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 | Comments (0)

Malaga surpassed their own best start record established in season 1948-49 last week when they went six wins out of six against Poli Ejido. This week they attempt to break the all-time Second Division best start by beating visitors Las Palmas to make it seven wins out of seven games.

It's a still warm 28C at La Rosaleda for the 18:30h Saturday night kick off. Some 15, 832 (official attendance), the biggest crowd of the season so far, have turned up to see the runaway league leaders and most in-form side in Spanish football.

Las Palmas are a team already in the relegation zone, but in Marquez, their main striker and captain, they have the top scorer from last season's campaign and come to this game after a credible 1-0 victory over last season's relegated First Division side Gimnastic. They are big muscular side and play aggressive football, so today's match will represent another challenge to the league leaders.

Malaga have to do again without the injured Salva and Carpintero and retain the same side that defeated Poli last week.

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

Malaga win the toss and elect to defend the Fondo goal. It's a very bright start and Malaga almost go ahead in the first minute when Baha runs through onto a Jesus Gamez pass, brushes past two defenders and shoots wide from 12 yards. In 3' Malaga keep up the offensive and Hidalgo, who celebrated the birth of his first baby, a son, during the week, is given space to try a shot from 20 yards but he sends the ball well wide. In 4' the Argentine goalkeeper for Las Palmas, Gonzalez, has to boot the ball high into the upper tier with Baha chasing in very quickly.
Las Palmas are set up in a very attacking 4-3-3 line-up and their defending so far has been uncompromising. An indication of this occurs when Malaga win the first corner of the game after 5'. Las Palmas keep their three strikers on the centre line, necessitating Malaga to keep three defenders back to cover them. In 9' Goitia makes his first save when Merino tries a snap shot from 25 yards. The shot is on target and moving and swerving in the air, but the Malaga number 13 holds on to the ball safely. In 11' Jesus Gamez sends in a spectacular long throw from the right touchline and finds Hidalgo all alone in the "D", but the new dad snatches his shot and it flies over the bar. In 14' Paulo Jorge keeps up his record of early bookings when he is cautioned for taking a free kick before the referee has blown his whistle. Eventually the kick is taken, this time by Rossato, but the Brazilian skies the ball well over. In 16', the three front men from the Canary Islands combine well and Marquez beats the offside trap to get through to Goitia. The goalkeeper is grateful to see the shot from the marksman come off his chest and to safety. Whew! It was against the run of play but serves as a reminder of how dangerous a counter-attack can be. In 17' Calleja is chopped down at halfway by full back Lopez Ramos, who is booked. Calleja takes the kick and finds Baha at the far post but the striker puts his shot wide. In 22' Weligton, who is having his toughest afternoon of the season marking Marquez, fouls the striker 20 yards out, conceding a free kick. Trashorras gets his head to the free kick and Goitia has to make another fine save. After such a frenetic start the game slows down and there now follows a midfield battle with many petty free kicks awarded by a fussy referee. In 30' Peragon becomes the second Malaga booking for wrestling down centre back Ione near the centre line. In 32' Las Palmas win their first corner. It comes to Trashorras at the near post but his shot hits the side netting. Trashorras, one of the front three in the 4-3-3 set up pushes through again in 34', but Weligton mops up after Rosario is beaten. In 35' Baha breaks through and is upended in the penalty box - nothing given. In 37' there is a major stooshie when Hidalgo fouls Juanma. Juanma, playing left midfield, has been wearing a rather unattractive face mask and Hidalgo's challenge appeared to have caused it to move slightly. However, the Las Palmas players were soon gathering around the new dad and much pushing and shouting ensued, whilst Juanma lay in a crumpled heap, with rigor mortis setting in, on the ground, unattended by anybody, including his fellow players, the medics or the referee. After the skirmishing had concluded, the referee booked both Hidalgo and Nauzet for their parts in the incident. The very still Juanma was carried off to the sideline for more treatment, but miraculously jumped to his feet and ran onto the pitch chasing a pass down the wing only minutes later. Thus every time he went near the ball afterwards, he was treated to a whistle symphony from the crowd. In 40' Darino becomes the sixth booking of the half so far, for unnecessarily following through on Goitia, with the referee struggling to keep players' tempers under control. In 44' Las Palmas almost snatch the lead after Marquez, who has the beating of Weligton, beats the Brazilian centre back again and passes to Trashorras, whose shot goes straight to Goitia's arms.

Half-time Málaga 0 Las Palmas 0

Unfortunately, there were no changes at half-time, with PJ and Calleja both still on the field despite contributing almost nothing to the proceedings so far. However, just as at the start of the first half, Jesus Gamez sends a long pass forward from his own half for BAHA to sensationally run onto and blast past Gonzalez, for the striker, recently called up to play for Morocco against Namibia later this month, to notch his fourth goal of the season. GGGOOOOAAAALLLLLL!!!!!! What a start to the half and suddenly, every worry is dispelled. Malaga can win this game and maintain their unbeaten record! Only 10 seconds have elapsed in the second half and we are ahead. Yippee!!! Malaga 1 Las Palmas 0 In 49' Jesus Gamez almost becomes provider again with a lung bursting run to the by-line; he crosses to Calleja at the far post, but the winger's header comes off the full back and over for a corner. In 51' Paulo Jorge gets in his first cross of the game to find Peragon. The little striker somehow out jumps the centre back to head powerfully towards goal and Gonzalez does well to tip the ball just over the bar. But Peragon is penalised for an infringement anyway, In 52' Nauzet is replaced by Adrian in the first of the game's substitutions. In 56' Baha, who has been a handful for the Las Palmas defence, gets a cross to Calleja, whose effort is booted out of play by Gonzalez. In 60' Las Palmas make another change, bringing on Pitu for Lopez Ramos. In 62' Gonzalez is booked for trying to take an offside free kick some 20 yards from the position of the crime. The crowd jeers "loco, loco!" In 64' the hobbling Peragon, who has suffered some treatment at the hands of the central defenders, particularly Ione, is replaced by Ivan Rosado, making his first appearance for Malaga in the league this season. In 66' Baha gives away a free kick 30 yards out. Las Palmas show that they are still a threat when Trashorras' kick is just tipped over by Goitia. In 69' Calleja is replaced by Eliseu. Merino is replaced by giant striker Casanova for Las Palmas' last substitution of the game. In 72' Weligton concedes another free kick after harassment from Marquez, but is the defender who powerfully heads the danger clear from the resultant free kick. The ball falls to Eliseu who tries to sprint forward with the ball, but he's tripped. However, the ball falls to Paulo Jorge, so the referee waves "play on", but Juanpa trips the Portuguese winger and they both crash to the ground. In 76' the ineffective Hidalgo, who is playing on past glories for his place in the team just now, is unbelievably given offside in his own half. The free kick is taken on the centre line! In 77' the masked one, Juanma, is booked for bringing down Paulo Jorge. His booking brings much delight to the home crowd. In 80' Ivan Rosado breaks through on goal, with the goal gaping in front of him. Showing a lack of confidence, he tries to square the ball to Baha and the chance to put the game well beyond Las Palmas is deflected for a corner. Eliseu takes the corner on the left and sends in a high looping swerving ball, which Gonzalez does well to prevent going in just under the bar at the far post. What a goal that would have been! In 84' Cheli is at last brought on for Paulo Jorge. Pitu is booked for a foul on Ivan Rosado. In 86' Baha keeps up the pressure by winning another corner. The ball breaks to Rossato, famed for his Roberto Carlos like shooting power. His daisy cutter is saved down low by Gonzalez. In 89' another excellent overlap by Jesus Gamez and the full back's cross finds Ivan Rosado alone 2 yards out in front of goal. Inexplicably, the striker manages to put his shot over the bar! In 90' Las Palmas win a corner on their left. For a few anxious moments we wait for the kick to be taken as Malaga pull everybody back to defend. When the cross comes over though, Goitia rises to catch and hold the ball. The fourth official says there are four added minutes to what has been an excellent football match to watch. In 92' Cheli breaks through the middle and passes square to Ivan Rosado. Surely the little striker will score this time, but no, his shot comes off the advancing Gonzalez. However IVAN ROSADO gets to the rebound first and crashes the ball into the back of the net to seal the game. Full time Málaga 2 Las Palmas 0

Malaga's record breaking run continues, but the news from Alicante is that Hercules have been beaten by Sporting, who remain second, still four points adrift. This performance has been one of Malaga's better one's against a tough team to break down and who will cause problems for many of the other teams in this league. Next week, we shall have to see if Malaga can keep their run going in another tough game away to Elche. It is being shown live on Canal+ in Spain next Sunday, so, never fear, Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there in front of a TV in Bar La Veradera watching!

Crime Count:
Yellow cards = 9: Malaga 3 (Paulo Jorge, Peragon and Hidalgo). Las Palmas 6 (Lopez Ramos, Nauzet, Darino, Gonzalez, Juanma and Pitu) Red cards = 0

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 7:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We made the two hour trip up the Mediterranean coast to El Ejido, along with a 1000 other Malaga supporters, to see if Malaga could make history by beating the previous best start in the Second Division of five wins and a draw by beating Poli Ejido to make it six out of six.

Salva was again out injured and so too was Carpintero, both injured during the week's training sessions , so Muniz was forced to changed his winning side. His changes were minimal, bringing in Apono to replace Carpintero as defensive midfielder and drafting in Ivan Rosado to replace Salva on the bench.

Teams:

Poli Ejido (4-2-3-1): Bello Serans; De Muner, Rodri, Tena, Almirón; Usero and Juan; Gerardo, Moreno and Mario Bermejo; Jorge Molina.

Málaga: (4-1-3-2): Goitia ; Jesús Gámez, Hélder Rosário, Weligton and Rossato; Apoño; Paulo Jorge, Hidalgo and Calleja: Peragón and Baha.

Malaga got off to the best of starts by going ahead after only 12 minutes. The ineffectual Paulo Jorge sliced his cross into the box, where Baha and Peragon were waiting. It didn't reach either of them, but instead went straight to a defender, who in turn sliced his clearance. Baha was first to pounce and slide the ball in front of the unmarked PERAGON, standing alone at the far post and the little striker stroked the ball home from 6 yards.

Poli Ejido 0 Malaga 1

Although Malaga were in their usual first half formation i.e. strong defence, no midfield and two hardworking strikers, Poli Ejido could not take advantage and the game became a scrappy affair with the ball spending long periods in outer space high above the playing surface.
The only shots on goal were from Baha in 17 minutes which was weakly struck and went straight to Bello Serans in the Poli goal and Molina and Bermejos for Polideportivo with shots on the half hour that Goitia was able to gather with ease.

Half time Poli Ejido 0 Malaga 1

It was no surprise that the continually underperforming Paulo Jorge was taken off at half time, with the direct substitution of Cheli on the right wing. The new player made an immediate impact with strong runs down the right wing which surprised the local left back with his pace and skill.
But it was Poli Ejido who started the brighter and started to impose themselves on the Malaga defence. The two central defenders, Rosario and Weligton, did not look so commanding in this match as in previous games and the local team seemed to grow in confidence. They got their reward in 53' when a corner swung across from their right met their centre forward's head for a free header (Rosario was nowhere near him) but the striker's effort went high over the bar. But, what's this, the referee is pointing to the spot! Weligton had wrestled another player off the ball onto the ground and the referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty. BERMERJO made no mistake with a well taken spot kick.

Poli Ejido 1 Malaga 1

As has happened in previous games when Malaga have suffered such a set back, they went up the field and scored again! Hidalgo, who had hitherto been anonymous, appeared on the left wing and was pressed by the right back into the corner. He somehow managed to get free and run along the by-line and the goalkeeper Bello Serans came out of his goal to try and stop him. Hidalgo however managed to get the ball into the box where Calleja was waiting but the ball was deflected into his own net by TENA.

Poli Ejido 1 Malaga 2

The game was still evenly balanced although Malaga had the one goal advantage and were determined to hold onto it.
In 78' Eliseu came on for the tiring Calleja. Again his impact was palpable as he has genuine pace and is very willing to run the length of the park with the ball, which he did on a number of occasions, easing the burden of his defence and creating a counterattacking move.

Rossato, the Brazilian left back with the shot of Roberto Carlos, took a free kick from 30 yards, after Eliseu had been hacked down in 81' after one such mazy run. His shot whizzed past the wall and everybody in the box and Bello Serans did well to stop the shot, but was unable to hold onto the ball. He spilled it and PERAGON nipped in first to tap home his second of the match from close range.

Poli Ejido 1 Malaga 3

The game was won, wasn't it? Poli Ejido didn't think so and in 85' substitute Juli scored an excellent goal from 25 yards after some neat passing moves in midfield to make the final minutes a bit nervy for the visitors.

Poli Ejido 2 Malaga 3

With the small crowd of local fans driving them, the home team went all out for the equaliser and in the final minutes struck the woodwork twice as Malaga were reduced to some desperate defending.

Nonetheless, they could have extended their lead in the final minute of stoppage time when Eliseu took the ball from his own half and ran the full length of the pitch with Hidalgo and Baha running along with him in support down the centre of the field. However, instead of passing square to either of his team-mates the winger went for glory and shot well wide.

Full time Poli Ejido 2 Malaga 3

An excellent result for Malaga, if not an excellent performance, but their 100% record remains intact and, with Numancia being beaten 0-2 by Sporting, extending their lead at the top of the table to four points.

Next week they have a chance to make it seven wins in a row against Canary Island strugglers Las Palmas at La Rosaleda. Never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Clasificación

1 Málaga 18
2 Sporting 14
3 Numancia 13
---------------------------
4 R. Ferrol 13
5 Hércules 11
6 Sevilla At 11
7 Castellón 10
8 Gimnástic 10
9 R.Sociedad 10
10 Córdoba 9
11 Elche 8
12 Tenerife 8
13 Eibar 7
14 Celta 7
15 Cádiz 7
16 Xerez 6
17 Granada74 5
18 Salamanca 4
----------------------------
19 Las Palmas 4
20 Alavés 3
21 Poli Ejido 3
22 Albacete 1

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 8:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sunday 23 September 2008 and Malaga have an 18:00h kick off in 28C temperatures in the live televised match against newly promoted Eibar.

Eibar have done comparatively well so far in this division, beating relegated teams Celta Vigo and Nástic and conceding only two goals (one a penalty) in the opening four games. They play a deep defensive game, relying on swift counterattacks and will be a difficult nut for Malaga to crack.

Malaga welcome the return of talisman striker Salva after he recovered from his knee injury but he has to be content with a seat on the bench as Muniz continues to play an unchanged starting line-up to the two previous games in which his team has netted seven times.

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

Eibar, who normally play in red and blue stripes, similar to Barcelona, confuse me with their change strip of the green and white hoops of Celtic! They even have a right winger with ginger hair (Txiki) who reminds me of Jimmy Johnstone!

It's Eibar who start off the brightest, perhaps looking for an early goal to quieten the 15, 205 crowd (Malaga's biggest home game so far this season). In the first minute, Weligton concedes a free kick in a dangerous position, 30 yards out. Baha is back defending and heads clear.

But Eibar keep pressing and win the first corner of the game in 3', conceded by Weligton. Hidalgo is first to the ball to clear.

In the 4' Baha goes close when he picks up a loose ball in midfield and runs towards the goal. His strong shot is well saved by ex-Atletico Madrid keeper Cuellar, low at the post.

In 12' Jesus Gamez is the first booking for tugging the shirt of Lombrana when the winger was free on the centre line with only Goitia between him and the goal.

It's end to end stuff in these opening minutes and Calleja overhits his pass to Baha in 15' which allows Cuellar to rush out and gather first.

In 20' Txiki (Jimmy Johnstone) is proving a handful for Rossato down Eibar's right. He is strong and powerful but after getting in a good position, his shot sails over the bar.

In 22' Jesus Gamez gets to the bye-line to cross to the leaping Peragon, but Cuellar is again first to the ball.

In 23' Baha tries a diving header from a pass from Paulo Jorge but can't reach the ball and the half chance is gone.

In 25' Eibar almost score when Txiki's header beats Goitia but Weligton manages to scramble the ball clear. Paulo Jorge is fouled by Insa as he collects the ball and the Eibar midfielder is booked.

In 26' Malaga win their first corner. Paulo Jorge, who seems to have a roving commission again, takes the kick but he doesn't pass the first defender.

In 30' an excellent long throw from Jesus Gamez reaches the centre of the six yard box, but there are no takers.

In 32' Rosario, who is commanding in defence, again heads clear in a crowded box after another excellent run down the wing by Txiki.

Malaga are living dangerously, defending quite deep and without any recognisable midfield play. Hidalgo has been very quiet and the two wingers, Paulo Jorge and Calleja ineffective. This means that the defence is being overworked and their tendency is to boot the ball long up to the forwards, missing out midfield. The result is that possession is invariably given away and the defence put back under pressure again. This has been a consistent factor in each of Malaga's first half performances so far this season.

In 37' the dangerous Txiki sends in a glorious cross across the six yard line. The ball passes five Malaga players, including Goitia, all despairingly trying to get a touch.

Fortunately, no Eibar forward was able to get the touch which would almost certainly have produced a goal.

In 40' Brazilian full back Rossato gets forward for the first time, after being pegged back by Txiki up till this point. Rossato drives the ball hard low across the penalty area. Baha gets to it but lifts the ball over the bar.

In 44' Del Olmo is booked for barging into Peragon.

Half time Malaga 0 Eibar 0
A poor first half from Malaga, with the midfield posted missing, but they have managed to keep the score at 0-0 against an Eibar side who look very sound in defence and showing no respect for their hosts.

Muniz unsurprisingly makes two changes at the start of the second half. Salva and Cheli come on for Peragon and Paulo Jorge respectively. Paulo Jorge, on loan from Benfica, has been very disappointing and the more experienced Cheli will at least stay on the right touchline and provide some service to the strikers.

Eibar almost take the lead in the first minute of the second half, with Malaga players pausing expecting a free kick to be awarded after Carpintero goes down like a sack o' tatties. There is no whistle and burly striker Goiria runs through to strike a shot which beats Goitia but comes off the crossbar.

In 48' Cheli shows what good wing play can do with good running down the right, but twice in succession his crosses are too near the keeper.

The substitutions have galvanised Malaga, who have upped the tempo and are taking the game to Eibar.

In 50' Calleja's cross from the left wing is headed behind for a corner, which is then punched clear under pressure from Salva by Cuellar.

Then in 51' Jesus Gamez and Cheli combine down the right, allowing the full back to reach the bye-line to cross for Salva to head just over.

In 52' Salva, who has made an impact since he came on, slips a sweet pass between the two centre backs for Calleja to run onto, but the wing man is offside.

Aware of the impact of Salva, Eibar replace midfielder Insa for giant centre back Medina, to try and stifle the striker. Eibar are now playing with three centre backs and two full backs across the back, almost declaring that 0-0 would do them.

In 57' Calleja runs down the left wing. He has three men around him, so it's not looking good, but somehow he manages to get his cross into BAHA who is waiting at the near post. With a tight angle and under pressure from Medina, the Moroccan nevertheless manages to blast the ball past Cuellar at his near post for a wonder goal! GOAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!! What a goal! It was no more than a half chance, but Baha has shown that he is very capable to scoring goals out of nothing.

Malaga 1 Eibar 0

In 67' centre back and captain Martino is substituted by Eibar for striker Yague as Eibar try to retrieve something from the game.

In 70' Salva and Calleja combine well down the left, but the winger runs out of puff and Cuellar can rush out to clear the danger.

The game gets bogged down in midfield as Malaga ease their foot off the gas, seemingly happy to defend their one goal lead, although in truth, Eibar have not really shown themselves as capable of finishing off their counterattacks.

In 75' Eliseu comes on for the tired Calleja on the left wing.

In 78' Eibar take off defender Alana for another attacker in Medina and go 3-4-3.

In 80' Cheli is booked for a tackle from behind.

In 81' after a confrontation with the fourth official on the touchline, Eibar's manager, Javier "Manix" Mandiola, is sent to the stands by the referee.

In 82' Cheli puts Salva through, but the big striker miss kicks.

In 85' Salva returns the favour, but Cheli loses the angle and his shot goes wide.

In 86' Eibar almost equalise when Weligton slips allowing Goiria through. The big No.9's shot goes just over.

In 89' Hidalgo caps a poor display by his standards with a booking for barging Goiria.

In 90' striker Medina is booked for a foul on Rossato.

In 91' Salva does well to get the ball across goal after beating two men tight at the corner flag. His cross is met by Baha who shoots just over.

Full time Malaga 1 Eibar 0

So Malaga maintain their 100% record after five games and remain on top of the table. It was a far from convincing display, but they still managed to overcome a difficult team to break down with another wonder goal.

Next week, Malaga are away to Andalucian rivals and bogey team, Poli Ejido, who were thrashed 4-1 this weekend. Never fear, Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there!

2ª DIVISIÓN

Málaga 15
Numancia 13
Sporting de Gijón 11
------------------------------
Gimnástic 10
R. Ferrol 10
Hércules 10
R. Sociedad 9
Córdoba 8
Sevilla At. 8
Castellón 7
Tenerife 7
Celta 7
Cádiz 7
Eibar 7
Xerez 5
Elche 5
Granada74 4
Salamanca 3
---------------------------------
Poli Ejido 3
Alavés 2
Las Palmas 1
Albacete 1

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 9:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

An 11,000 crowd turned up to match this live televised match between the early co-leaders of La Segunda this season.

Muniz had yet again to select a team without striker Salva, still injured after some close scrutiny by the Alaves defenders three weeks ago. But the front two pairing of Baha and Peragón has looked solid in the past two games and Salva may have trouble getting his place back. Also, despite the inadequacies of his first half selections in the previous three games in the centre of midfield, Muniz refused to change a winning team.

Málaga (4-1-3-2): Goitia; Jesús Gámez, Wellington, Hélder, Rossato; Carpintero; Paulo Jorge, Hidalgo and Calleja; Baha and Roberto Peragón.

Malaga got off to a dream start in the first minute, when PERAGON ran onto a through ball down the right wing behind the defence and crashed his shot home from 8 yards. Castellon 0 Malaga 1 Although Malaga seemed to give up the midfield (as has happened in the three previos games) Castellon's passing was not good enough to trouble Malaga's defence. Paulo Jorge and Calleja repeatly swapped wings durin the half in a effort to see more of the ball, but this more often than not left the wings completely open and unguarded. Half-time Castellon 0 Malaga 1 Castellon came out after the break looking more composed and Malaga were living dangerously defending their slender lead. The ineffective Calleja was replaced by the more direct Elliseu in 54'. Then in the 64' Hidalgo slotted a ball for BAHA to run onto and he cheekily shot through the advancing goalkeeper's legs to make it 2-0. Castellon 0 Malaga 2 Malaga were ahead through two opportunist goals and looked as though they were more than capable of scoring more. With Elliseu providing width, which had been missing hitherto, the malagueños dominated the centre of the field for a spell, thanks to the great work of Santi Carpintero and Antonio Hidalgo.
But when a striker, Peragon, was replaced by a third centre half, Silva, in 73', we knew that Muniz was ready to settle for the 2-0 scoreline for the final fifteen minutes or so. Of course the inevitable happened and Castellon pulled one back in 80' after a mix-up between Weligton and Goitia allowed Nakor to hook the ball home and give the home team some hope. Castellon 1 Malaga 2 Malaga, though, again impressed their superiority over Castellon with a third goal in 84' after a good passing movement down the left eventually found HIDALGO on his own in the box. He was at an impossible angle for a shot (we all thought) and whilst everyone was waiting for the cross back across the six yard line, the midfielder crashed the ball home just under the crossbar. Castellon 1 Malaga 3 Surely now the game was won. But there was one more final twist in 89' when Rossato allowed the Castellon right winger to retrieve the ball near the corner flag and send a cross over the defence to the waiting Reggi, who scored from two yards, to cause much anxiety in the Malaga ranks. Full time Castellon 2 Malaga 3

This result means that Malaga remain undefeated in their opening four games and remain in pole position in the Second Division table.
Next Sunday, they are home to newly promoted Eibar. Never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

P W D. L F. A. P.
1 Málaga 4 4 0 0 11 3 12
2 Numancia 4 3 1 0 10 3 10
3 R. Ferrol 4 3 1 0 8 3 10
4 Sporting 4 2 2 0 9 3 8
5 Hércules 4 2 2 0 7 4 8
6 Gimnástic 4 2 1 1 5 3 7
7 Cádiz 4 2 1 1 4 3 7
8 Eibar 4 2 1 1 3 2 7
9 Sevilla At 4 2 1 1 3 2 7
10 Castellón 4 2 0 2 6 5 6
11 R.Sociedad 4 2 0 2 4 5 6
12 Elche 4 1 2 1 3 3 5
13 Tenerife 4 1 2 1 4 5 5
14 Córdoba 4 1 2 1 5 7 5
15 Celta 4 1 1 2 3 4 4
16 Granada74* 3 1 0 2 6 6 3
17 Poli Ejido 4 1 0 3 2 8 3
18 Xerez 4 0 2 2 4 7 2
19 Alavés 4 0 1 3 1 5 1
20 Las Palmas 4 0 1 3 5 11 1
21 Albacete 4 0 1 3 2 8 1
22 Salamanca* 3 0 0 3 0 5 0

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 6:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Malaga went into their third league game of the season against newly promoted local rivals Cordoba without their talisman striker, Salva, out with a knee injury. Otherwise manager Muniz kept the same squad and team with Peragon replacing Salva and forward Ivan Rosado replacing Peragon on the bench.

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

The opening minutes revealed Cordoba's game plan. Press for every ball and win every loose ball in midfield. Then use pace to mount a counter attack. Once again, with Hidalgo alone in the centre of midfield, Malaga seemed to give up the midfield area as Carpintero is very much a defensive midfielder and works very close to the back four. So the 13,644 crowd (and a live television audience) were treated to some backs to the wall defending and Cordoba produced the first goal attempt with centre back Pablo Ruiz b