Match Reports

Before I tell you about Saturday night's match, let us go back one week to the away game against Espanyol, up in the Olimpic Stadium in Barcelona. I listened to this game live on the English speaking radio station, Spectrum FM, and it was clear that unless Malaga got a result against the Catalans, manager Antonio Tapia would be sacked.
You can imagine what I felt like (and what he felt like) when before half an hour had gone in the game, Malaga were down 3-0 (it should have been four as Arnau saved a penalty in 22 minutes against Tamudo). Although Malaga did score a consolation goal from the unlikely source of Alexis, with a fantastic 40 metre volley, the final result and defeat of 3-1 plunged Malaga to bottom place in La Liga, after going eight games without a win. This is my third season as a season ticket holder and Malaga have never before occupied one of the three relegation spots, let alone been bottom.
Sure enough, on Monday morning, Tapia left the club and a new manager was appointed right away - Manolo Ruiz Hierro, elder brother to former Real Madrid and Spain legend Fernando, who incidentally has just announced his retirement from playing with Bolton Wanderers. Manolo did have 12 years playing at the top level in Spain, including a stint at Barcelona, and was well known for his never say die attitude, ceaseless running and work ethic as an old fashioned centre forward. However, he has never managed a team at any level, so why did Malaga appoint him? Well, he is currently General Manager at Malaga, responsible for arranging contracts and signing new players etc, so he is well known to all the staff and players. He is also has a very positive attitude and is likely to be a good motivator for the team, whose heads are down after the previous weeks' results. In his press interview he said that he wanted his players to enjoy playing again, that Malaga would not be relegated this season and that he would adopt attacking tactics in every game (unusual in Spain as most teams sit back in defence and rely heavily on swift counter-attacking). The Spanish media wanted to know if he would play with two strikers, play Alexis in the centre of defence, rather than right back, what about cover for the still injured left back Valcarce, what about Duda, what about Manu?
His response was for people to wait and see what his formation was against Athletic Bilboa; Jorge Ribiero, 24 year old Portuguese international left back, has been signed from Moscow Dinamo on the last day of the transfer window; no change on Duda; and Manu has been told that he is in Hierro's plans. Also, Paco Esteban has been loaned to Cuidad de Murcia until the end of the season and Jesus Gamez has returned to Malaga B, where "more games starting a match will be better for him" for this young right back.
Athletic have also had a torrid season and are on their second manager, Javier Clemente, after sacking Valverde earlier, as this once illustrious club have struggled all season to get out of the relegation zone. So a six pointer in prospect in a game both sides need to win and both fancy their chances against fellow strugglers.
Teams:
Athletic (4-2-3-1): Lafuente; Ireloa, Lacruz, Prieto and Amorbieta; Gurpegui and Orbaiz; Aduriz, Yeste and Gurpegui; Llorente.
Malaga (4-4-2): Arnau; Gerardo, Alexis, Litos and Nacho; Edgar, Hidalgo, Bovio and Antonio Lopez; Counago and Salva.
So Malaga's team did hold a few surprises - yes two strikers, but Counago favoured over Morales; both central defenders Cesar and Fernando Sanz on the bench and Alexis at centre back with Litos, who has been on the sidelines with Tapia; no Juan Rodriguez, another Tapia ever present, but a first start at home for new signing, Bovio. Ribiero is not match fit so stand-in left back, left winger Nacho is selected there again.

It's a 6pm kick-off in the 18C warm February sunshine and Hierro is greeted with a huge cheer from the capacity crowd. Athletic are in their change strip of all-black with red numbers instead of their customary red and white stripes with black shorts and look menacing without kicking a ball.
In the first minute the nerves are showing as Arnau receives a difficult pass back from Litos and he miss kicks the ball straight to giant centre forward Llorente. Alexis is alive to the danger and gets across quickly to hoof the ball out of play.
In 3' Athletic's tactics become clear - Route 1. Llorente, their lone striker, is at least 8'3", but fast and nimble and Athletic's aim is to lob the ball over the top of Malaga's defence for him to run onto. It almost works as Orbaiz sends a beautiful pass onto the onrunning striker with only Arnau to beat. The Malaga stopper is not known for rushing off his line, but on this occasion he was out quick to stifle the danger.
It's 5' before Malaga mount their first attack. Gerardo plays the ball through for Edgar in space in the box. Edgar's pace carries him past the defence but his shot is straight at Lafuente.
Another scare for Malaga in 6' as Llorente again has an opportunity. This time he has his back to goal as he receives his pass, but he swivels dramatically to fire his shot just over the bar.
Athletic are enjoying the best of the action in these first few minutes as Malaga's new defensive line-up tries to get to grips. Llorente towers above both Alexis and Litos, who short on inches, make up for that in pace and positioning.
The next minute Salva gets onto a nice through ball from Hidalgo, but Lafuente rushes out of his box and smothers the ball at the burly striker's feet.
Malaga try again in the next minute, this time down the left wing. Good interpassing between Hidalgo and Antonio Lopez allows the overlapping Nacho to get to the by-line. His cross has plenty of pace and eludes both Salva and Counago to arrive a Edgar's feet. He tries a shot from 6 yards that is just wide.
Llorente is still causing problems with his height and pace and in 15' Gerardo does well to beat him to the ball to head out for a corner.
In 20' Alexis tries to emulate the Route 1 tactic with a long pass from his own 18 yard line to Counago. The ex Ipswich man tries a low drive but Lafuente has no real difficulty in making the save.
In 28' the first booking of the game is Orbaiz for a foul from behind on Hidalgo.
In 30' Nacho is fouled on the left just outside the box. There is some jostling in the crowded box as Hidalgo takes the kick. Hidalgo picks out LITOS who makes no mistake as he heads past Lafuente. GOAL - we haven't seen one of them for a long time at La Roseleda and we are going to celebrate. The crowd go daft - blow for full-time now ref and we'll go away happy. It's also a little ironic that the goal is scored by a player not really quoted in the last year by the former manager, whose name we have already forgotten. Fickle - yep, that's what us football supporters are the world over.
Malaga 1 Athletic 0
In 34' another great chance falls to Edgar. Again he uses his pace to just run past the full back. Lafuente runs out of his 6 yard box and dives full length in the corner of the 18 yard box to stop the shot from the Portuguese Angolan.
Ireola is in full flight and Antonio Lopez looks like last man, albeit at almost the half way line, when he brings the full back down unceremoniously in 38'. His card is yellow but could have been a straight red.
Orbaiz takes the kick and sends it deep into the box to the Llorente. The gigantic one nods it down and as Arnau goes diving to save the shot that wasn't, the ball falls to ARDUIZ who simply taps the ball into the undefended net to equalise.
Malaga 1 Athletic 1
In 41' Malaga have the ball in the net again. Edgar tries to send in a cross from the right but it's blocked and goes for a corner. Hidalgo's accurate kick finds Salva's head and it's in! But the ref says "no, there's some infringement" and the goal is disallowed.
In 44' Edgar is fouled on the right wing and Antonio Lopez trots across from the left wing to take the kick. Again there is much jostling in the box and Litos is pushed out of Antonio Lopez's pass. Penalty! The crowd are on their collective feet all around the ground, but the ref says "No".
The referee is not the most popular man in Malaga at the moment after disallowing what seemed a perfectly good goal and now not awarding a cast-iron penalty. He is given much abuse, much stronger than "the referee's a wanker" and the referee has to be escorted off the field at half time by police in full riot gear, with their shields raised high in Roman style to avert any flying objects.

Half-time Malaga 1 Athletic 1

From the kick-off Malaga almost take the lead. Again it's Edgar down the right wing who causes the danger when he skips into space to send a delightful cross for the powerful Salva to head. Lafuente has to make a fantastic full length save to stop a certain goal.
Malaga are playing with much more spirit than in previous weeks and at a higher tempo. The fans are lapping it up and shouting their team on when they have the ball and whistling when Athletic take possession.
In 50' the ball comes out of the Athletic defence and lands at Nacho's feet. He tries a shot from fully 40 yards and Lafuente has to punch nervously to clear.
Llorente is surprisingly substituted and Danobeite comes on to replace him after 51'. Yeste moves up to take up the striker's role.
In 52', Litos becomes the second Malaga booking and third so far, for a foul on Yeste who has become more prominent since his change of position. Yeste takes the free kick himself but his shot cannons off the wall and goes over. It's Yeste with the corner kick too, but he tries an inswerver and Arnau easily punches clear.
In 55' Counago shows some good skill and he forces a corner with his persistence. Lafuente rises above everybody to Hidalgo's corner and punches clear.
In 62' the ineffective Antonio Lopez is substituted for Gabriel. The little Brazilian takes up the right wing berth with Edgar moving to the left.
In 65' Aduriz goes off for another striker, Urzaiz, as Athletic change to a 4-4-2 formation as they go looking for the winner.
Urzaiz's first effort is an audacious shot from his own half, which has Arnau scrambling back from his 18 yard line to see the ball land on the roof of the net. Whew!
In 66' Nacho becomes Malaga's third booking, for a stupid tackle from behind deep in Athletic's half.
Two minutes later and Nacho is in trouble again. He is caught out of position upfield and is beaten for pace by Yeste, who has run onto the ball in the space which should be occupied by the left back. Nacho tries to catch him up, but only succeeds in catching Yeste's legs and the striker falls down all too easily. The referee produces another yellow card, but as he's already been booked, Nacho is shown the red card and he's off!
Well, Malaga are down to ten men and Athletic's tails are up!
In 69' Hidalgo, who's been having a good game, wins a free kick down the right wing. There is the usual jostling the box and the kick is delayed whilst the referee tries to sort it out. Malaga take the opportunity to bring on Cesar for Counago, so Alexis moves to left back to accommodate him. The giant centreback rushes immediately into the box to add to the mayhem. At last Hidalgo is able to take the free kick, which he floats to the far post. Cesar makes a dash for the near post taking three defenders with him, so when the ball comes down from the heavens, it finds SALVA standing on his own and he gratefully picks his spot and heads home! GOAL!
Malaga 2 Athletic 1
I look at my watch and it's now 75' gone. It took almost 10 minutes for the free kick, Cesar substitution, goal and restart!
In 76' Athletic make another change - defender Prieto off for attacking midfielder Tiko, as Athletic try to make their one man advantage tell.
In 80' there is an unusual contretemps. Arnau, who has just been warned by the referee for time wasting, lets a loose ball run to the corner of his 18 yard box, near the by-line. Yeste runs across to make him pick it up and play it. Arnau does pick up the ball and walks forward to the 18 yard line. He shows Yeste the ball then goes to kick it upfield. Yeste sticks up his leg and takes the ball from Arnau. The result - both are booked by the referee.
In 82' Salva is booked (seventh yellow of the match for Malaga) for dissent after the referee did not award a free-kick after the striker was upended in the centre circle.
Despite being down to ten men, Malaga are the team pressing forward and looking much the likelier to score again.
In 83' Hidalgo is put through by the clever Gabriel. The attacking midfielder beats two men before sending in a powerful drive which forces a great save from Lafuente.
In 86' Bovio goes off to a standing ovation, he has not put a foot wrong all game in his defensive midfielder role. He is replaced by Juan Rodriguez.
In 91' Hidalgo, who seems to have a good rapport with Gabriel, slips a through ball for the little Brazilian, who sets off on a mazy run leaving a trail of Athletic players in his wake. He manages a shot but it is blocked and the danger is over.
Full time Malaga 2 Athletic 1

Well, a far better performance from the blue and whites and this result coupled with others elsewhere mean they jump three places and out of the immediate drop zone. Next week, they are away to Alaves, who have been in the bottom three all season, so another six-pointer and a great chance for Malaga to put some distance between them and the other strugglers.
The following week and the next home game is against Mallorca, the other team from the bottom three, so three six-pointers back to back! Never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will there!

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 6:37 PM | Permalink

Just a few short lines to tell you about your team, Malaga, and their first win of the season. Yes they made the 1000km trip to the north coast of Spain and beat the co-liga leaders (albeit after only two games) in Bilboa. The game was looking like an uninspired goalless draw. The only incident of any interest in the first 80 mins was when an Athletic striker fell down in the box chasing Cesar, tried to claim a penalty and was subsequently booked for his trouble.
Then in 80 minutes, Tapia made a change when he brought Edgar on for Juan Rodriguez, a straight swap as Edgar immediately ran out to the right wing. In his first movement, he picked up a loose ball, free on the right on the edge of the box. He took the ball down with his right and passed to his left and all in the one sweeping movement drove the ball into the far corner of the goal to make it 0-1!
This spurred Athletic into action and they went all out for an equaliser. This they got in 88 minutes when the ball was scrambled over the line in a crowded penalty box. 1-1
At this point, Tapia brings on another substitute, Hidalgo. In his first movement, in 91 minutes, he picked up a loose ball, free on the right on the edge of the box. He took the ball down with his right and passed to his left and drove the ball into the far corner of the goal to make it 1-2!
A famous victory and sets up "Our Boys" for their next home match on Wednesday night against newly promoted bottom club, Alaves, at La Roseleda. It's a full Liga card for Jornada 4 in midweek with all the kick-offs set for 21:00h. You've guessed it - your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there!

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 5:16 PM | Permalink

Well, what about this weather? Here on the Costa we've had heavy rain for five days (although today we are back to "normal" with clear blue sky and sunshine). Elsewhere in Spain they've been having snow in places which haven't had snow in a lifetime for some old folks and it's the main news story every night on Spanish TV. There was even deep snow in Malaga province (up to the north and up in the mountains admittedly). However that did not stop the weekend's football. The worst pitch was in Soria up in the Pyrenees, where Numancia had to clear three feet of snow off the pitch before their game with Barcelona (which ended 1-1).
Malaga also had to make the long trip up to the north of Spain to Pamplona (you know, that mad place where they chase bulls through the streets each Spring?) to play Osasuna. Now Osasuna on paper was going to be a difficult match as they were sitting in 11th place in the league, but Malaga is their "bestia negro" and Osasuna haven't beaten Malaga for the last seven games. How would Tapia's men get on against them? I switched on teletexto on Canal Sur with some apprehension on Sunday night to get the score. And there it was: Osasuna 1 Malaga 6. SIX!!! What a result! The game was over after only thirteen minutes as Miguel Angel had scored in only two minutes and Baiano had opened his Malaga account with a stunning individual effort. Then Duda scored a rare goal after a free kick had been awarded inside the box after the goalkeeper picked up the ball from a pass back to make it 3-0 before half time. Then Juan Rodriguez made it four early in the second half. Things started to get nasty, as frustration took over and Osasuna had two men sent off for off the ball "tackles". However they did pull one back after Arnau had made a save and their forward was first to the rebound. But Baiano got his second before substitute Wanchope rounded things off with a free header after a corner taken on the right by Miguel Angel. Wow! What a result! This was a result that moved Malaga a little clear of the dreaded relegation zone into 12th place, giving them some breathing space of seven points ahead of the 18th (and first of the three relegation slots).
This week in Spain, with the worst weather recorded in over thirty years for this period, the football fixtures throw up a midweek game to give the teams three games this week.
Last night it was the turn of Athletic Bilboa (Athletic, not Atletico, as the team from the Bay of Biscay was founded by English sailors in the port). Now Athletic were also doing quite well this season, sitting in eighth position in La Liga and had progressed into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup after finishing fifth last season. Their team has been together for a long time and features four players with experience of playing for Spain. Their main threat in front of goal has been the experienced striker Urzaiz, but ably supported by Yeste and winger Etxeberria. So it's a surprise when the team is announced and Urzaiz is on the bench, with the young, tall imposing Azkorra given the striker's role: Athletic (4-2-3-1): Aranzubia, Iraola, Murillo, Prieto and Del Horno, Tiko and Orbaiz, Etxeberria, Yeste and Ezquerro, Azkorra.
La Roselda looked strange with the old main stand half demolished as Malaga continue to improve their ground to meet World Cup standards. This means that the teams come onto the field through a new innovation - a large blue extending concertina-type tunnel from one of the Fondo corners! Also the fact that the main stand is out of commission gives the ground an unbalanced look, with the crowd on three sides only of the rectangle. As for the team, unsurprisingly, Tapia gives the nod to the same team that has produced three wins in a row (including that 1-6 result on Sunday): Malaga (4-2-3-1): Arnau, Gerardo, Cesar, Fernando Sanz and Valcarce, Juanito and Romero, Juan Rodriguez, Miguel Angel and Duda, Baiano.
We were in fear of getting wet for the first time in two seasons last night as the rain had been incessant since Friday and was forecast for the rest of the week. However, for the football, there was no rain, no wind and it was even quite mild at around 18C for the 20:00h kick-off. Helen was with me again as Geoff couldn't make it and as it was a Wednesday we just had to go to the shopping mall around the corner from the ground (where we park the car) before the game. Needless to say, we had less time than usual to get ourselves settled in before the game started. In fact we had almost just sat down, when Malaga kicked off, having lost the toss and defending the Fondo end in the first half. Malaga were in their blue and white stripes with blue shorts, Athletic in their normal red and white stripes with black shorts.
So it took us all by surprise when in the second minute, Miguel Angel wins the ball in the centre circle and sends through a delightful pass for Duda to run onto. The little Portuguese winger beat a defender before sending an inch perfect pass to JUAN RODRIGUEZ. The burly striker took the ball on his right foot, went past a defender then the onrushing keeper, before unleashing a powerful shot into the empty net with his left foot.
Malaga 1 Athletic 0
What a start! Was it to be another six of the best? Another goalfest?
We wondered, but not for long as the game developed into a dreary midfield battle interrupted continuously for free kicks by an over fussy referee. In fact we had to wait until the 20' before the next shot on goal and that was from a clearly frustrated Duda, who attempted to beat the keeper from the halfway line which went well wide.
Then Athletic began to take more control of the game, keeping possession with some neat and accurate passing. The young striker, Azkorra, looked as if he could be a bit of a handful and in 25' came close with a header after some nifty work in midfield created the chance. It's Azkorra again the following minute, when this time he gets ball to feet and starts on a run, going past three men, but his shot is blocked by Cesar and cleared upfield to Romero. The bandy legged Uruguayan finds Baiano on the left and he makes a run along the 18 yard line, evading tackles from three defenders. The fourth defender is about to make a tackle when the Brazilian releases the ball to Juan Rodriguez, now standing alone on the right. He takes a step forward before unleashing a powerful drive at goal, which Aranzubia has to make an excellent save to stop it from making it 2-0.
Athletic however were more in the game and most of their play was down the right wing where Etxeberria was proving too good for the usually dependable Valcarce. The Spanish international got to the touchline and send in a powerful cross which had Arnau at full stretch to palm away from the onrushing Azkorra.
In 33' it's still Etxeberria causing trouble and he pops up in the middle to head a cross from left winger Ezquerro and Arnau can only watch and hope as it sailed just the other side of the post.
In 36' Athletic make their first substitution, with right back Gonzalez coming on for Tiko. It seems to be tactical and Iraola moves forward to take the midfield role. In 38' there's a stooshie in the box as Miguel Angel is felled by an elbow off the ball (clearly seen in the later TV slo-mo). But neither the referee or his assistant have seen this and although the Malaga players swarm around the referee like a swarm of bees, no penalty is awarded.
The game dissolves again into a midfield battle with both sides cancelling each other out.
Half time Malaga 1 Athletic 0
Athletic take the field early for the second half, perhaps to get themselves warmed up and used to the conditions and slightly greasy surface. It seems like five minutes before the Malaga team finally emerges from the blue tunnel in the corner of the pitch and the game can resume.
Whatever the reason for Athletic's early return, it's Malaga who go close in 47' when, after Miguel Angel has been flattened for the umpteenth time in the match, Juan Rodriguez takes the free kick using Roberto Carlos-type power, but Aranzubia makes a great save and manages to get to the spilled ball before Baiano.
Then Athletic keep possession for several minutes in midfield to no great effect. It's Malaga who make the break in 55' and Duda rushes onto a Juan Rodriguez cross and clashes with the goalkeeper on the penalty spot. It looks serious for Duda and he's stretchered off to be replaced by Iznata. The left full back and deputy for the ever present Valcarce at last gets his chance in front of the home crowd and takes his place wide on the left wing. Baiano is also substituted and Amoroso takes his place. Athletic also make a change and bring on Urzaiz for Azkorra.
In 63' it's the first card of the game and it's yellow for Murillo for a foul on Iznata. From the free kick, Miguel Angel finds Amoroso but his header is straight at the keeper. Malaga are coming back into the game and from a Gerardo throw in on the right, he takes the return from Juan Rodriguez, beats two defenders as he runs along the by-line, but his cross is too strong and passes both the onrushing Amoroso and Iznata to fall to Valcarce out wide on the left wing. The full back unleashes a screamer on the volley, which has Aranzubia diving full length to hold the ball and make an excellent save.
In 66' Miguel Angel is booked for diving, after being flattened yet again by the uncompromising Athletic defenders.
That's it for Malaga and it becomes a torrid last twenty minutes as Athletic try to find a way past the unyielding Malaga defence. It's not pretty but the defensive wall of the back four plus Romero and Juanito and now Iznata is too much for the Athletic forwards to penetrate.
Still, into the 90th minute among the shrill whistles from the crowd urging the referee to blow the whistle for full time and Arnau has to make a double save after close range shots in crowded penalty area after Etxeberria's clever corner kick eluded both Cesar and Fernando Sanz.
Full time Malaga 1 Athletic 0
This fourth win in a row takes Malaga up into 11th spot in the league table. Although a dreich affair, the quality of the opposition should not be underestimated and this was another excellent result, which has got the Spanish press talking about Malaga as a potential for Europe next season. A bit early for that, although this league is a bit like that, with so many good teams being closely matched. However, the next three games will be the biggest test for Tapia and his team as they take on Deportivo away (a game to be shown live on Canal+, Spain's equivalent of Sky Sports, so may be that might be Sky's Sunday game next week too?), Real Betis at home, then Real Madrid away.
The Andalucian derby is always one to savour and a win over Betis has almost the same feeling towards it as, say, Celtic beating Rangers, Spurs beating Arsenal, Scotland beating England or even Raith Rovers beating Dunfermline Pathetic. Don't fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will the there!

Posted by hodgers at 12:08 PM | Permalink