Match Reports

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.

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 12:27 AM | Permalink

Malaga, fresh after their defeat of Alaves last weekend, approach this weekend’s match with Albacete with some confidence. Their opponents, although in the Primera Division only two years ago, are not enjoying the best of campaigns this year and their recent poor form has seen them lose four games out of the last six, dropping perilously close to the relegation zone.

The local newspapers have been hailing Malaga manager Muniz as some sort of magician, somehow managing to get his team sorted defensively such that their record of five games with only one goal conceded in the league takes them back to season 1998/99 when they had a similar record. They desperately need somebody to score goals though and today’s game should see the debut of their January signing, Ivan Rosado, at some point in the proceedings, who may provide some thrust in the final third. The win last week and the renewed optimism for the team’s prospects sees a crowd of 11143 in La Rosaleda for Sunday’s game.

Muniz’s team has discovered some sort of form since he went for a more aggressive attacking 4-3-3 formation, but this week he is unable to put an unchanged starting line-up for the third week in a row. This is because Popo has been away on U-19 duty with Spain, playing two international matches during the week in Gran Canaria, only returning to Malaga on Saturday and so drops to the bench. Also, Silva has broken three fingers in his right hand during training and will be out for the next three matches at least. Malaga played a friendly against Russian first division outfit, Ruben Kazan, in midweek, in which Muniz fielded two completely different teams in each half, to allow him to try different options and check on some player’s fitness levels.

But I wasn’t prepared for the team that Muniz put out to start against Albacete. Instead of an attacking 4-3-3 formation, Muniz reverted to his favourite 4-1-4-1 set up, with right full back Jesus Gamez in the holding midfield position and Edgar alone up front! As I have said before, I do not think that Malaga should be putting out such defensive line-ups at home in this division, especially against teams struggling with their own form, as I believe it hands the initiative over to the opposition. However…..

Malaga (4-1-4-1): Arnau; Molinero, Armando, Jesule and Valcarce; Jesus Gamez; Perico, Sandro, Hidalgo and Jonaton Valle; Edgar.

Strong running from Edgar forces Albacete to concede a corner after only 21 seconds! But Hidalgo’s kick is easily defended.

In a bright start from Malaga, Valcarce gets to the by-line to send in a cross from the left in the first minute but it’s too long for Perico to reach.

In 5’ “playmaker” Sandro, the crowd’s favourite (but not mine) twice passes the ball straight to Albacete midfielder Canas, who on both occasions passes through to lone striker Calle to go one on one with Arnau. Fortunately for Malaga and Sandro the tall striker shoots wide on both occasions.

Albacete’s strip is bright orange with white sleeves. The players look as if they are wearing training bibs and indeed are easily confused with the trackside photographers who are wearing the same orange bibs.

In 8’ Edgar wins another corner. Armando gets his head to this one but puts it over.

In Albacete’s first attack in 11’, they go ahead! Molinero is outpaced down their left wing by Bauza and although his cross is not especially strong, SANZ gets enough power in his free header to put the ball past a static Arnau.

Malaga 0 Albacete 1

Albacete’s tactics seem to be to defend in depth with everybody behind the ball when it is in their half, close down quickly to prevent Malaga developing any passing movements and then route one over the top for Calle to run onto. Not pretty, but effective.

In their second attack, Albacete win a corner in 14’. Canas gets his head to the corner kick and his effort come off the near post. Arnau belts the loose ball up the park.

Despite all their pressure, Malaga are not threatening Sanzol in the Albacete goal and in fact it’s the visitors who look more dangerous when they make forays into Malaga’s half.

In 20’ there is another scare for Malaga, when centre back Camara heads just over, the ball landing on the roof of the net, from a free kick. Malaga’s defenders are not too tall (in fact only Armando is over 6’ in the whole team) and Albacete’s players seem to winning everything in the air.

Albacete win a free kick out on their right wing after 22’ and Zahinos’ effort swerves just wide of the near post with Malaga’s defence caught cold again.

Then the next minute, Calle is put clean through with a pass over the top. Arnau (uncharacteristically) rushes out and deflects the shot. Whew!

In 24’ Sandro, who cannot make his passes reach a Malaga player, is booked for dissent in frustration.

In 28’ Malaga’s best move of the game. Jesus Gamez, who is looking like a fish out of water in his unaccustomed midfield role, intercepts a pass and gives it to Sandro. This time the playmaker sees Edgar’s run and slips a through ball for the Angolan to run onto. However, Edgar’s timing is out and he’s offside.

In 30’ Zahinos is booked for barging Hidalgo.

In 36’ Edgar is elbowed off the ball by brick sh*thouse defensive midfielder Canas, who is booked.

In 37’ Perico is fouled on the edge of the box. Malaga send everybody into the penalty box for Jonaton Valle’s free kick, with only Sandro and Valcarce in the centre circle with Calle. The free kick is cleared to CALLE, who runs the entire half, easily outstripping Sandro; he goes around the flapping Arnau and puts the ball in the net for Albacete’s second.

Malaga 0 Albacete 2

In 42’ Jesus Gamez signals to the bench that he is injured and has to come off. Albacete are awarded another corner off Molinero and Muniz takes the opportunity to bring on Popo for Jesus Gamez. The corner is swung in to the far post, where lanky striker CALLE is lurking. He gets another free header and Arnau again watches the ball pass him into the net.

Malaga 0 Albacete 3

So much for Malaga’s much vaunted defensive record! Three goals down at home in the first half! All three goals are down to poor defending, but if Jesule is having a slightly off form day, it just shows how much Malaga have been depending on the centre back all season.

Halftime Malaga 0 Albacete 3

Muniz makes his last two changes at the start of the second half. Off go Edgar and Sandro and on come another U-19 midfielder, Gascon, for his debut and another debutant, new signing striker Ivan Rosado.

The team formation remains 4-1-4-1 with youngster Gascon taking up the pivot role in front of defence, Popo moving out to the right wing with Perico moving inside and Ivan Rosado up front.

In 46’ Popo wriggles past three defenders to get in a strong shot from 18 yards which Sanzol has to dive full length to save (his first save of the game).

Malaga have raised the tempo and are starting to cause problems in Albacete’s defence. Although they are 3-0 down, there are signs that they could still get something out of this game, which is encouraging.

But in 55’ the game was over for Malaga, when Jesule, clearly frustrated with his lack of success against Calle during the first half, stuck out an elbow at the striker and was promptly shown a straight red card and sent off.

Malaga resort to three at the back as, Albacete, now 3-0 and against 10 men, are content to play the rest of the half out.

In 60’ Popo breaks through the centre and is bearing down on goal with the ball at his feet when he is tripped up from behind by Canas. With the crowd howling for retribution, the referee who is several yards away from the action runs up with his yellow card in the air ……..for Popo!!! Unbelievable.

In 65’ Jonaton Valle becomes the next Malaga man booked, adjudged to have tackled with his studs showing.

In 70’ Molinero starts on a run down the right wing. He’s in full flight when he is unceremoniously brought down from behind. Molinero is booked!

In 72’ Albacete make their first substitution. Zahinos is off and David Sanchez comes on.

In 75’ captain Valcarce complains to the referee about the time Sanzol is taking over goal kicks. Valcarce is booked!

In 76’ Bankero is substituted by Albacete for their top scorer Parri.

In 79’ we see a glimpse of what Ivan Rosado has to offer. He turns on a sixpence just inside the penalty area, forcing Sanzol to make a save which he can only parry out to Perico. The youngster fires the ball wide.

In 80’ Calle, who has been streets ahead of the Malaga defence all evening, is substituted to attended jeers and whistles from the crowd and Biagini comes on.

The last ten minutes are all about Albacete keeping possession and playing out time. Their tactics have been spot on and they fully deserve their win. Malaga, on the other hand, have been exposed for their lack of talent, their dependency on Jesule to be on top of his game and Muniz’s ill-use of his players, with too many (Jesus Gamez, Jonaton Valle, Popo, Edgar) playing out of position and not choosing the best formation and tactics to best suit the players available.

Full time Malaga 0 Albacete 3

After such a crushing home defeat denting everybody’s morale, all we can do is look forward to next week’s game. Malaga are away to Numnacia, another 12 hour train journey away in the north of Spain, and against another team who were playing top level football not so long ago. Malaga will have to play without Jesule, who will be suspended, and so another tough game is in prospect. Still this league is dog eat dog, so who knows?

The next home game is in two weeks time with Sporting Gijon making the long trip south from the Bay of Biscay. Hopefully their visit will prove pointless for them. Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Crime Count:

Malaga yellows: 5 (Sandro, Popo, Jonaton Valle, Molinero and Valcarce)

Malaga reds: 1 (Jesule)

Albacete yellows: 2 (Zahinos and Canas)

Albacete reds: 0

Regards

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 1:13 PM | Permalink

Jornada 3: Albacete vs Malaga (a rough précis and translation from the local newspaper report)

Albacete (4-4-2): Valbuena; Cheer, Santi, Noguerol and Hector; Camera, David Sanchez, Hierro and Parri; Juan Carlos and Biagini.

Malaga (4-2-3-1): Arnau; Jesus Gamez, Silva, Cesar Navas and Jose Mari; Romero and OJ Morales; Edgar,Couñago and Calleja; Salva.

The teams turned out in front of a poor 6834 spectators in the Carlos Belmonte Stadium. Compare the estimated 15,000-18,000 last week for Malaga’s home game against Alaves.

Manager Alonso kept the same team and used the same tactics used in both previous games. The Uruguayan defensive midfielders, OJ Morales and Romero, were in charge from the first moment to stop any creativity of the local team and the young back four were again impressive in their like assignment.

In a poor first half, Albacete did not manage an attempt on goal. On the other hand, Malaga had several opportunities, the best of which was a header from Couñago which forced the local keeper to make a save on the goal-line.

Half time Albacete 0 Malaga 0

The first goal came in 62’. After a foul on Parri by Arnau, SANTI scored, after a centre from Parri‘s free kick. It was a hard blow for the visitors against the run of play. Three minutes later and Albacete were two ahead, scored by BIAGINI, again after another free kick in much the same position as the first one, although with some controversy as the Malaga team were convinced that the ball had gone out of play.

Saúl replaced Edgar after 60’ and then on came Sandro in 66’ for OJ Morales. The changes did have an effect and put Albacete under severe pressure, resulting in a foul on Salva in the box in 77’. SALVA took the spot kick himself to make the score 2-1. However, before the kick was taken, the referee had to consult with his assistant. As he was doing this, Valbuena pushed Salva to the ground. The referee only indicated the penalty for the Malaga, so Valbuena was lucky to escape a straight red card.

Chengue Morales came on for Calleja after 84’.

Although they attacked for nearly 20 minutes until the end of the game, Malaga could not overcome a stubborn Albacete defence.

Malaga's poor disciplinary record continued in this game with 5 bookings and a sending off: Romero, OJ Morales, Jose Mari, Salva and Sandro were all booked. Substitute goalkeeper, Gotia, was sent off from the bench!

Full time: Albacete 2 Malaga 1

Next week Malaga will have a chance to return to winning ways at home to Numancia. Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

http://www.canalsur.es/Informativos/noticias/deportes.html

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 7:37 AM | Permalink

Sunday 28 November 2004 - Day 13 of La Liga brings Albacete to La Roseleda. Albacete are one of the smaller teams in the league and their ground (Carlos Belmonte) only holds 16,500 spectators. Two seasons ago they won promotion from La Segunda and narrowly escaped relegation last year. This year, too, they have found the going tough and have rarely moved from the bottom three places, the drop zone.
Malaga too have had a tough period, one which was predicted as they have faced three of La Liga's top four (and are away next week to the fourth - Barcelona), and have not won a game for six matches. They have played well enough against the big guns, but the rub of the green and a little more class is needed to really compete with them. So this week's match was one in which Malaga might start as favourites against one of the minnows. Having said all that, in this league every team is capable of beating (and often do) each other so that a defeat or win can usually mean a drop/rise in the table by six places. So the league table is constantly changing, which makes every game interesting.
A 5 o'clock evening kick-off, and although the temperature was around 19C, there was a dampness in the air which forebodes the rain forecast for the end of the week. It has been several weeks since we had any sort of rain, so it we are all kinda looking forward to it so we can stay in and watch a video or something.
Malaga had a full squad to pick from and Manager Manzano picked a very attacking eleven, in a 4-4-3 formation, with Edgar starting up front alongside Amoroso and Wanchope, and right winger Manu dropping to the bench. Also, Gerardo is suspended, so young hot prospect Alexis gets his third outing of the season at right back.
Team: Calatayud, Alexis, Fernando Sanz, Juanito, Valcarce, Michel Angel, Leko and Duda, Edgar, Wanchope and Amoroso.
Albacete kick off and for the first five minutes take the initiative, looking to be first to every ball and working hard with three players around any Malaga player on the ball. In fact, their tactics were in place from the kick-off and they maintained their workrate and their formation throughout the game. Their style, so common in visiting teams, is counter attack, with eleven behind the ball when it is in their own half, breaking quickly into attack with four strikers, playing a 4-2-3-1 formation.
We have to wait until 8 minutes before we see a cohesive Malaga attack. With every forward player closely marked, Fernando Sanz and Juanito have only each other to pass to at the back. Valcarce, the left full back who loves to overlap is given the ball in his own half and starts on a run. Having no possibility to pass to his teammates he continues on his own and tries a shot which goes well over.
From the goal kick, the ball is moved by Albacete quickly into their first real attacking move down their left wing, where little Pena looked tricky on the ball. Alexis goes to make the tackle and wins the ball, but he hesitates in delivering the ball upfield and Pena wins it back and sends in a dangerous cross into the box. The ball is pushed out by Calatayud, but only to VIAUD, whose powerful shot is deflected off Juanito and into the net.
Malaga 0-1 Albacete
Definitely not in the script. Malaga's team and supporters are stunned by this and Albacete take heart from their early opening and press for another which could kill off the game early. In 11' Duda gives away a freekick in a dangerous position, but the freekick comes back off the wall and the ball is cleared to safety.
Two minutes later, we have a repeat as Juanito commits a foul in the same position, but again the wall is equal to the attempt. Alabacete were clearly not here to make up the numbers and be the whipping boys. They are already fighting for survival and their determination is apparent in their tackling and closing down.
However, in 16' Malaga almost equalise. Duda is dispossessed but the ball falls to Valcarce who slips it forward to Amoroso. The Brazilian uses some nifty footwork to get past the fullback and cut he ball to Michel Angel, who is in the clear for a shot on goal. Unfortunately, the ball falls to his left foot and his weak effort is gathered up by the tall Gaspercic in the Albacete goal. In fact, now you come to mention it, the visiting side were full of very tall players, reminding me of Dunfermline Pathetic when Dick Campbell was the manager.
In 19' Pena again gets around Alexis to find Redundo on his own near the penalty spot and Calatayud has to make an excellent save from his point blank shot. It is still Albacete who are keeping possession and finding their men and Pena almost scored with a cross cum shot which had Calatayud stretching to tip the ball over as it almost sneaked in at the top corner.
The next minute sees Valcarce finding Amoroso out wide on the left wing. Again the mesmeric skills are brought into play and he finds Duda this time with an excellent pass, but the little Portuguese winger is having a bad day and his shot is easily blocked.
In 25' Albacete striker Ivan Diaz tries his luck from the half way line with Calatayud off his line, but the Malaga keeper can only watch as the attempt goes wide.
In 31' Valcarce is booked for bring down Viaud, who otherwise would have been clear down the right wing.
Malaga are finding it impossible to break down the tight defence and Manzano's experiment of three up front does not seem to be working. The pace and accuracy of Edgar's passing and runs down the right wing have not been seen as the Angolan has been given a free role to no avail.
Half-time 0-1
Manzano recognises that his tactics are not working as Alabacete have the upper hand in every department. No other visiting team so far has had such a strong hold on the game, including Real Madrid and Valencia. So Manzano changes his team by bringing on Luque for the out of sorts Duda and the more defensive Romero for Michel Angel.
However, in 46' within the first minute of the restart, Malaga go two behind. Again the unfortunate Alexis hesitates on the ball, having difficulty in finding a player to pass to. Striker MOMO, signed from Deportivo, takes the ball from him and makes a run towards goal with only the goalkeeper to beat, which he did with a crashing shot, which left Calatayud rooted to the spot.
Malaga 0-2 Albacete
The next minute Leko is booked for a high elbow as Malaga's frustration mounts.
In 48' Luque is already making a difference with his runs down the left wing. He is "stopped" in his tracks by centre back Gasper, who is booked. From Luque's freekick, Edgar heads wide, but the fans can at least see some glimmer of hope after going two down. Malaga have now changed to a 3-4-3 formation as they try to gain control of the midfield and provide service to their strikers.
In 50' Luque again breaks through and slips the ball back to the supporting Valcarce, who hits a shot which just goes over.
In 61' Manzano has to juggle his team again as second half substitute, Romero, is himself substituted by Giejo, after a crunching tackle has left the Uruguayan limping. The introduction of a fourth striker, means that Malaga are now in a 3-3-4 formation, with the two giant strikers, Wanchope and Giejo working down the middle, with Edgar on the right and Amoroso on the left.
In 62' Luque breaks through into the box and is upended by Gaspar. Two things should have happened here. One, Gaspar should have been sent off. Two, a penalty should have been awarded. But, it is not Malaga's day and the referee waves play on.
Two minutes later, Valcarce's cross finds Wanchope but the ball is under his feet and the chance is lost.
Albacete are guilty of using timewasting tactics as they try to frustrate the home side even more. A couple of substitutions are made when the player coming off is at the furthest point on the ground and he walks slowly off. The referee could have within his rights sent the player off but takes no action.
In 79' the best move of the match again features Valcarce and Luque down the left wing and the wingers accurate cross is met by Wanchope's head, but the shot unfortunately, but endemic of the day, comes off the post and goes wide.
In the final 10 minutes, the Malaga fans are on their feet waving white handkerchiefs and shouting "Fuera, fuera". In Spanish football, this custom occurs when the home support is suggesting to their manager that they have had enough and it is time for a change. Although the Malaga team keep trying to score and get something from the game up to the final whistle, the score remains the same and Albacete win 0-2. This win means they leap over Malaga, who themselves now enter the dreaded red zone in third bottom place. There is no hiding place in this league and Manzano, whose attempts today having proved fruitless, will have find some answers quickly, if the bright start to the season is going to end in tears.
The last four games of the year could not be tougher with trips to Barcelona and Villarreal and the visits of surprise team of the year, Levante, and local rivals Sevilla.
Whatever happens, be assured your Malaga CF Correspondent will be here.

Posted by hodgers at 3:42 PM | Permalink