Match Reports

A busy week in La Liga, three games in six days. After Malaga's extra time defeat by Zaragoza last Sunday, the team from the capital of the Costa del Sol travelled north to La Coruna to face Deportivo on Wednesday. Despite going ahead through a wonder goal from Duda (a 40 yard volley which screamed into the net), Malaga went down 2-1 after two defensive errors. And, as has been happening each week, their closest rivals at the foot of the table were gaining points, deepening the crisis at La Roseleda.
So this weekend, some respite? Er, no. The always much anticipated visit of Barcelona, the reigning champions and well on course to retain their title this season brings a top v bottom clash. Not much hope for the much needed win which could yet set Malaga off on a wee run which could get them out of danger, but a chance for local fans to see some incredible footballing talent.
However, Barcelona also have had three games to play this week and on Tuesday night they are in Lisbon to play Benfica in the Champion's League. So it was not surprising, if very disappointing, when Barcelona rested several key players for Saturday night's game. Not playing were World Footballer of the Year, Ronaldinho, nor Deco, Puyol, Messi and Edmilson. However, top scorer Eto'o did play as did former Celtic favourite Henrick Larsson, playing in his final season in Spain before returning to finish his career for his home town club in Sweden next season.

Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes; Belleti, Olguer, Rodri and Sylvinho; Motta, Van Bommel and Gabri; Guily, Eto'o and Larsson.

Malaga also had to bring in some fresh faces with ever present Alexis suspended, along with Juan Rodriguez and Morales. Nacho, Edgar and Hidalgo were kept on the bench as manager Hierro tried yet another new first eleven for his starting line-up.

Malaga (4-4-2): Arnau; Jesus Gamez, Cesar, Fernando Sanz and Antonio Lopez; Manu, Gerardo, Bovio and Duda; Salva and Counago.

It's Saturday night, it's 20:00h, it's 22C, it's Barcelona at a packed La Roseleda. Malaga kick off defending the Fondo end, where last Sunday a ticket for Zaragoza cost 15 euros. This week, the same seat costs 90 euros!
After some cagey passing across the back four by both teams during the opening minutes, it's Barcelona who show first, with pacey winger Guily taking a pass from Larsson on the 6 yard line, but the diminutive one oversteps and Arnau comes to gather easily.
Arnau is desperate to have a good home showing after his dreadful (and potentially La Liga threatening) error last weekend against Zaragoza.
In 10' Malaga's first attempt is a half-hearted and hopeful effort from Duda, 40 yards out. It's on target but no problem for Victor Valdes.
In 12' Barcelona show great movement down the right wing. Guily sends in a delightful cross over the heads of Malaga's defenders to Larsson, lurking at the far post. His header is on target but Arnau makes it look easy.
In 16' Van Bommel has a go from 40 yards with a powerful drive. It's net-bound until it takes a deflection off Gerardo and the ball flies over the bar for a corner. Guily takes the corner, trying to swerve it in, but it's just over.
In 21' Counago finds himself free down the left wing. He's just outside the penalty box and lets fly with a powerful left footed drive. Valdes has to fling himself full length to make a fine save.
In 26' Counago, who's managing to slip free from his markers with regularity, cuts the ball back to his strike partner Salva, who's waiting on the 18 yard line. Valdes anticipates the danger and rushes out to smother the ball at the big striker's feet.
Malaga seem to be in control of the game at this point, but the menace of Barca's front three is always there. But it's Duda in 27' who intercepts a pass in the centre circle and pings it down the left wing for Counago. The former Ipswich man runs towards goal but his shot is weak and easily taken by Valdes.
Malaga continue to press and Manu runs onto a ball from Bovio down the right wing in 29'. His cross finds Salva's head and Valdes can only palm it back out into his box. Cesar, returning to the first team after several weeks, is there, but his header goes straight into the grateful Valdes' arms.
Counago's runs down the left wing are causing the Barca defence some trouble and the defenders are having to resort to desperate hoofing of the ball out of the park to avert the danger.
In 32' Barcelona mount their first attack for over quarter of an hour. Olguer finds Larsson on the left wing. The speedy Swede in turn makes an inch perfect pass across the box to Guily. The dangerous winger shoots across the goal and Arnau can only watch in hope as it slides just past the far post.
In 37' a real stooshie. First, Antonio Lopez is booked for a foul for barging Belleti over the right touchline, about 30 yards out. From the free kick into the crowded box, Larsson clearly pushes the ball down with his hand to Eto'o, who makes no mistake from 6 yards. The referee seems to hesitate, but the Cameroon striker is already celebrating and the man in the middle blows his whistle and points to the centre spot. The crowd are incensed, the Malaga players are incensed, the Malaga bench are on their feet and are incensed and let's admit it, I was incensed. The entire Malaga eleven surround the referee and linesman on the touchline in front of the Malaga bench. The debate seems to last several minutes and Geoff and I are saying they are wasting their time as the referee will never reverse his decision. Then the whistle blows and the referee emerges from the ruck and points to the ........ goal box for a goal kick. Praise be! There is a God! Justice has been done! The score remains at 0-0. Larsson escapes without a booking.
It's now 40'. Arnau takes the goal kick quickly and finds Manu wide on the right wing. He's in space as the Barcelona men try to understand the decision. Manu continues his run unchallenged and we're hoping that Malaga can make Barcelona pay big time for their cheating ways. Manu approaches the goal; he's one on one with Valdes. Manu shoots, Valdes saves.
In 43' Duda again finds Counago on the left on the edge of the box. Counago swivels past his defender and has more time for his shot than he takes and his effort goes past the far post.
Just on half time, the villain known as Larsson has the best chance for Barcelona so far. Guily's perfect cross goes over 8'3" giant Cesar's head to land on Larsson's head. The cheat is well placed in line with the far post and his effort is well directed but Arnau is behind it and saves easily.

Half time Malaga 0 Barcelona 0

In 46' Motta brings down Counago 20 yards out. Duda, who's signed a three year deal with Sevilla, joining them in the summer, drives the free kick at goal, hits the wall and Gabri goes down like a sack of tatties and requires treatment.
In 49' Eto'o who's had a quiet first half, pops up in the right back position and with a telling pass, finds Larsson. The Swede fires in his shot point blank at Arnau but the keeper holds on to the ball.
Eto'o is not your normal centre forward. He drifts around the park in a free role and when he gets the ball there is fast and usually dangerous action. In 50' he appears wide on the right wing and slips the ball inside to Larsson, who's easily been Barca's most prominent player so far. The Swede shoots hard at the goal and Arnau has to make a great save to get palm the ball over.
In 55' Eto'o picks up the ball in the centre circle. He is allowed to run unchallenged towards the goal and put in a shot from 30 yards but it's well over.
Guily is replaced by Ezquerro.
In 56' the substitute finds Eto'o on the left. The slightly built striker runs and shoots at the near post but Arnau gets down and holds the ball.
In 58' Antonio Lopez is replaced by Nacho.
In 61' it's the Eto'o show again. Posted missing in the first half he seems omnipresent in the second. His run is halted by Gerardo, who has a clause in his contract, which automatically signs him on again if he plays 25 games for Malaga this season. Barcelona is his 24th game. Eto'o takes the free kick himself but the ball comes off the wall and is cleared.
In 63' Gabri goes off for Iniesta.
In 65' Counago goes off for Hidalgo.
In 66' Salva makes a pass in midfield which is intercepted by Eto'o. Again he is allowed to run and shoot, but it's well off target.
In 68' the most clear-cut chance for Malaga so far. Manu goes on a run down the centre and fuelled by Bovio's pass, he jinks past two defenders. Hidalgo makes a run down the right in support and Manu finds him with a perfect pass. All Hidalgo has to do is shoot past Valdes, but inexplicably, he turns and tries to pass it back to Manu and the chance is gone.
In 67' Bovio and Nacho go for the same ball and it lands at Eto'o's feet. He finds Ezquerro who's fine effort requires an excellent save from Arnau.
In 69' former Rangers and Arsenal man, Gio Van Bronkhurst comes on for ex-Arsenal man Sylvinho.
In 75' Duda forces a corner off Motta. Manu takes the kick on the left, sending in a curling inswinger. Both Hidalgo and Salva go for it, but the ball swerves out for a goal kick.
In 77' Arnau makes another fine save from a powerful drive from Iniesta.
In 80' Manu is replaced by Edgar.
Both teams are looking for the winner in the last 10 minutes.
in 85' Edgar's pace down the right allows him the space to find Bovio with a perfect pass. The Brazilian lets fly and Valdes watches anxiously as it shaves the far post.
The following minute Fernando Sanz gets up to head down a long ball out of the Barcelona defence. It lands at Eto'o's feet and his immediate shot forces an acrobatic save from Arnau.
In 88' Salva finds himself running alone in the Barcelona box. An easy pass from Duda out on the left would have given him an excellent opportunity. However the winger has an excellent effort himself and Valdes has to dive full length to just get to the ball as it was going in just inside the post.
92'. Our minds go back to last week's game against Zaragoza. Surely Malaga cannot give the game away in injury time again? Well, Eto'o certainly tried. His powerful shot from the right comes down off the underside of the bar and for a sickening second we think it's gone in. But no, out it comes and is hoofed into row Z.
Full time Malaga 0 Barcelona 0

If you had given us two goalless draws against Valencia and Barcelona at the beginning of the season, we would have been very grateful. But with the league position the way it is, these games are points lost.
Next week Malaga are away to fellow strugglers Real Sociedad, one of the three games the pundits say will save Malaga if they win it. I am still confused by this reasoning, however time will tell. The next home game is in two week's time against Getafe, another of the magic three. (Cadiz are the third). Never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Remember, for past reports and other good stuff visit the following website: http://www.hodgers.com/malaga/

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 7:14 AM | Permalink

Sunday 24 April 2005: 1900h kick off, sunny, 26C, no wind. Again no Geoff (he has "lost interest") so this week I am accompanied by John, for his first ever Spanish league game.
The league leaders, Barcelona, are in town, hoping to maintain their six point advantage over arch rivals Real Madrid at the top of the table. Last season, when Frank Rijkaard and his boys played here, the home side romped home 5-1, recording their first victory over the Nou Camp giants for 27 years! This season has been very different, with Malaga struggling to find goals and Barca, especially with top scorer Eto'o (21 goals in 32 games), Ronaldinho, Deco, Guily and others all regularly scoring, have 61 goals compared to Malaga's tally of 32 so far.
Malaga return to La Roseleda after two weeks away at Valencia (2-2) and Albecete (1-2), Malaga's goals coming from Baiano (2) and the unlikely source of Duda, also with two. These four points have virtually ensured avoidance of relegation this season (although, it is still mathematically possible, if Malaga lose all their remaining games and, say, Mallorca, win all theirs).
Tapia remains faithful to his normal starting eleven, in the now familiar 4-2-3-1 line-up.
Malaga (4-2-3-1): Arnau, Gerardo, Cesar, Fernando Sanz and Valcarce, Juanito and Romero, Juan Rodriguez, Miguel Angel and Duda, Baiano.
Barcelona (4-1-2-2-1): Valdes, Belletti, Puyol, Oleguer and Van Bronkhurst, Iniesta, Xavi and Deco, Guily and Ronaldinho, Eto'o.

Barca win the toss and Malaga kick off defending the Fondo end in bright sunshine. The Catalan team have brought the biggest away support so far this season and La Roseleda is at capacity, even though Malaga raised the ticket prices starting at 100 euros up to 200 euros for non-season ticket holders!
Malaga go straight into attack, looking to unsettle their illustrious visitors with an early goal. After only 20 seconds on the clock, Miguel Angel is brought down in full flight by uncompromising Spanish international centre back and Barca captain, the long-curly-haired Puyol, just outside the left hand corner of the penalty area. Gerardo takes the free kick and picks out Baiano eight yards out. His fine header brings out an excellent save from Valdes. It's all Malaga and in 4' Romero heads just over from a Gerardo long throw from the right.
It's 9' before we see Barca in attack. Eto'o is brought down 35 yards out by Romero. Deco lines up to take the kick, but hits the wall and lands at Ronaldinho's feet. The little Brazilian takes the ball to the touchline to the right of the goal and wins a corner off Fernando Sanz. Cesar deals easily with the resultant corner kick and the danger is over.
In 17' Miguel Angel is again brought down by Puyol, 40 yards out. Gerardo takes the kick and again finds Baiano in the crowded box. The big Brazilian gets his head to it but it's just the wrong side of the post.
The next minute, Juanito (who's considering an offer from Bolton) is booked for obstructing Valdes.
In 20' there is a real panic in the Barca goalmouth as Valdes just beats Miguel Angel to a through ball with the stylish midfielder clear. The Barca goalie takes no chances and hoofs it high into the upper stands.
Then in 23' Barca take the lead against the run of play. Eto'o forces a corner on the right. Deco takes and the ball comes off Cesar and lands at OLEGUER's feet. The big centre half is quick to react and sidefoots the ball past the unsighted Arnau from five yards. It was their first effort on target, in their third attack on goal so far!
Malaga 0 Barcelona 1.
Two minutes later and Valdes has to make another excellent save from Baiano. Juanito slips the ball to him in the centre circle and the striker goes off on a run past three defenders before unleashing a powerful right foot shot from the edge of the box.
In 27' Guily becomes the next player booked for three successive fouls on Duda as the tricky Portuguese winger attempts a run down the left.
In 28' Van Brockhurst (ex Rangers and Arsenal), makes a break down the left wing and whips in a cross which is met by Ronaldinho in the "D". His powerful header comes off the bar with Arnau beaten, but the offside whistle had already gone.
It's back down the other end next minute and after some more Baiano magic in the box he releases Juan Rodriguez with a short pass, but good defending by Puyol takes the ball off his feet before he can pull the trigger.
Barca approach Malaga's goal again in 33' when Ronaldinho is fouled by Juan Rodriguez on the left. He quickly takes the kick himself and finds GUILY's head, as the little winger sneaks past the static Malaga defence, and his brilliant header goes in just inside the near post.
Malaga 0 Barcelona 2
Malaga have been hit with two goals against the run of play, but are not out of this game and continue to press forward. There is a feeling that if they can get one back before half time, it would put a better reflection on their play and unsettle their visitors.
In 40' there is a right stooshie. Gerardo (who seems to have been given free kick duties ahead of Duda) takes a free kick 40 yards out on the left. He attempts an audacious shot at goal which has Valdes scrambling backwards. The big keeper reverses into the post as he attempts to gather the ball and collapses in a heap. He releases the ball, which seems to go over the line, before Oleguer can run back and hook out and out of play on the left touchline. The stretcher bearers run on to attend to the stricken Valdes whilst the Malaga forwards surround the referee and the farside linesman, gesticulating wildly. However, after Valdes recovers, the outcome is a throw-in on the left wing.
Malaga come close again just before half time after Miguel Angel (who seems to have played most of this half on his backside) is again brought down by Puyol. Gerardo's swinging cross finds Juan Rodriguez's head, but the burly striker's finish is just wide of the post.
Half time: Malaga 0 Barcelona 2
There is a scare for Malaga in the first minute after the restart as Ronaldinho sends a clever pass into the feet of Eto'o and the sprightly Cameroonian striker whips in a powerful drive which just flashes past the far post with Arnau watching.
There is a great chance for Malaga to get back into the game in 49' when Miguel Angel finds Duda on his own on the left. The little winger, who has scored in the last two matches, has a go but his shot goes well over.
In 50' Amoroso comes on for Juanito as Malaga add to their attacking options and try and get something from the game.
In 52' Deco, who has had a quiet game, finds Ronaldinho in space. The little magician has a strike at goal but the ball swerves away just at the last moment and shoots past the near post.
In 55' Malaga's movement and passing catch the eye. Juan Rodriguez breaks down the right wing and as he reaches the edge of the box passes square to Amoroso in the "D". The sure footed Brazilian finds his compatriot Baiano with a defence splitting pass into the box but Valdes manages to get a fingertip to the shot and puts it out for a corner. Gerardo sends in an excellent cross and Amoroso gets a good header in from five yards but it skims the top of the bar as it goes just over.
In 59' Eto'o is taken off and substituted by centre back Motta as Rijkaard tries to hold onto the lead.
In 60' Valcarce has a shot at goal from the left wing but it drifts just wide of the far post.
The next minute Romero brings down Xavi just outside the box. It's tailor-made for Ronaldinho but, as we wonder where he is going to place it, he kicks the ball off the wall and the danger is cleared.
In 66' Romero is taken off and replaced by Manu, as Tapia goes for a more attacking line-up. Manu goes out wide on the right wing and Juan Rodriguez moves inside to form a three pronged attack with Baiano and Amoroso.
The next minute, as Malaga reorganise, Ronaldinho slips the ball through for GUILY to run onto down the right wing. The Malaga defence claim offside but the winger continues his run and hits a strong shot past Arnau.
Malaga 0 Barcelona 3
In 68' Barca anchor man Iniesta comes off for Silvinho.
In 70' full back Valcarce is replaced by striker Tote, with Duda slipping back into an overlapping left full back position and Amoroso going wide left. Malaga now have four fully fledged strikers on the park in a very attacking formation.
In 72' Xavi is next to be booked for not retreating 10 yards at a free kick. He is replaced two minutes later by Gerard.
In 75' there is another controversial moment as Puyol and Amoroso chase a ball which goes close to the left corner flag. Puyol just gets there first and Amoroso catches the big defender's ankle as he attempts to get to the ball. The referee has no hesitation and gives the Brazilian a straight red card! Whilst the stretcher bearers attend to the clearly crippled Barca captain, the Malaga players surround the referee, but unlike the last home game, this referee will not change his decision.
Ten man Malaga do not give up and still take the play to the visitor's half. Tote has a great chance to get on the scoresheet after some neat passing between Juan Rodriguez and Baiano, but he seems to get the ball under his feet and the Barca defence clear.
"Crippled" Puyol has to sprint alongside Baiano in 85' to chase a through ball from Miguel Angel, much to the jeers and whistles from the Malaga crowd.
In 89' Deco wins a corner on the left. He passes short to Ronaldinho who sends in a lovely cross to meet the tall substitute Gerard whose header from 12 yards beats Arnau all ends up to finish the scoring and end a miserable day for the goalkeeper, who is interesting Tottenham Hotspur.
Full time Malaga 0 Barcelona 4
Next week away to Levante and then back here against the "Yellow Submarines" of Villarreal. Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Posted by hodgers at 2:10 PM | Permalink

Well, what a game! We expected a tough match from Barcelona, as we know Malaga are quite strong at the back but are weak up front, relying on Salva (ex Bolton Wanderers!) and our Angolan import, Edgar, to score our goals for us. (Edgar has so far failed to score this season and 3 of Salva's goals so far have been from the penalty spot.) Last Saturday, the televised match on Spanish TV was Atletico Madrid vs Malaga and it was clear that Our Boys can match the best teams except for putting the ball in the net and before tonight's game our goal difference was -1.
One change was made in the team to meet Klivert, Saviloli, Overmars, Luis Enrique and Co, with Manu dropping to the bench in favour of nippy winger Insui. We were a bit worried too about Malaga's usual tentative and nervous starting at the beginning of each half and feared that Barcelona might dominate things early and take control. What a surprise then for all of us. Insui played inside and Edgar went out onto the right wing and left full back Valcarce was up front wide on the left wing with playmaker Duda playing a sort of wing back role. Within the first 10 minutes Malaga were ahead with Edgar causing the damage down the right wing delivering a cross which defeated the Barcelona defence and ended up with Salva drilling the ball home. Salva ended up scoring a hat-trick, all in open play, the second when he took a ball from Valcarce on the left and drove it home and the third by beating the goalie one on one from a difficult angle. After his third, he was promptly substituted by Diego Alonso, who was on the park two minutes before he too scored an excellent goal to make it 4-0.
Barcelona had only managed one real shot on target so far and that was from a free kick on the edge of the box which our Malaga-born goalkeeper Cataluyd dived across the goalmouth and saved magnificently, one-handed around the post. Unfortunately our normally reliable captain Fernando Sanz lost a bit of concentration amid all the euphoria and under no real pressure turned the ball past his own keeper in an ill-timed pass back to put respectability on the scoreline that Barca did not deserve. Malaga's tactic of closing down every player, especially the back four, led to the final goal, scored by another substitute, Canibal, who rarely gets a game for Malaga, despite being named as sub every week, but finished another sparkling move with a run down the right wing and sending a screamer between the hapless Barca goalie and the near post for a final score of 5-1. You can only imagine the bedlam inside the capacity filled stadium when the final whistle was blown. Barca looked shell-shocked and will have to do much better at the weekend when they play Real Madrid or they will gave another drubbing.
Malaga have risen to sixth position after tonight's games and some of us are already dreaming of a UEFA Cup spot. Another tough match away next weekend at Deportivo La Coruna awaits Our Boys. As for me I will just have to wait the ten days until the next home match against Real Mallorca. Can't wait!

Your Malaga CF Correspondent

PS- Wow. In my haste to get the report on last night's game off to you, I did omit to inform you adequately about the strength of the Barcelona squad. As well as Puyol, Luis Enrique, Saviola, Kluivert and Overmars, Frank Rijkaard also had recent signings Rustu (Fenerbahce), Luis Garcia (Atletico Madrid), Mario (Valladolid), Quaresma (Sporting Lisbon), Marquez (Monaco) , Van Bronkhorst (Arsenal) and Ronaldinho (PSG) either in the team or on the bench, apart from the latter who is out with an injury just now. Some team it was in prospect, but not on the night when the mighty minnows of Malaga undid them with superior teamwork and tactics.

Posted by hodgers at 1:15 AM | Permalink