Match Reports

Last week's 3-0 defeat away to fellow strugglers, Real Sociedad, (a game in which 8 yellow cards were shown to Malaga players and Juan Rodriguez and Morales were sent off. Also, the manager, assistant manager and physio were also booked), virtually put the final nail in the coffin of this season for Malaga, as they now have to win five of the remaining seven games and hope that other results are in their favour - in other words, a miracle is required to prevent the dreaded drop to La Segunda.
Unsurprisingly, the local media are full of what will happen to the President (he looks like he will be replaced), the Manager (he will revert to his General Manager role and a replacement will be sought to manage the team) and the players, many of whom are out of contract at the end of the season.
We already know that Duda has signed a 3 year contract with Sevilla that is worth 480,000 euros a year (around £30k a week) and that some, including Salva, Romero and Bovio have said that they want to stay and get Malaga back in the top league, but we shall have to wait and see.
This week's match is at the unusual time and day of 17:00h on a Saturday, instead of 19:00h on a Sunday. The afternoon temperatures were in the mid 20's so we were looking forward to watching the match in the sunshine. The new stand under construction is progressing well, but the crowd was down on previous weeks and looked three quarters full. Yet another case of ground development at the detriment of the playing side? Next season in La Segunda I doubt if there will be 21,000 season ticket holders.
This week's visitors, Getafe, from Madrid, are enjoying their second season ever in the top league and are sitting comfortably in midtable. Their manager is Bernard Schuster and the German is proving himself to be a very competent coach after an illustrious playing career. However, his team is "modest", without stars or flair and depend on organisation and a typically German workmanlike approach to the game - stifle teams in defence and rely on counterattack to catch the opposition out. Last week they thrashed third placed Osasuna 0-4 away, so they arrive at La Roseleda in some kind of form.

Getafe (4-1-4-1): Garcia; Contra, Pulido, Tena and Pernia; Rives; Redondo, Alberto, Dorado and Nano; Paunovic.

Malaga appealed against Juan Rodriguez's first yellow card against Real Sociedad and it must have been successful as he is named on the team sheet. Morales is suspended after his straight red card last weekend. Duda (who's leaving for Sevilla at the end of the season) is dropped, not even appearing on the bench. Youngster Jesus Gamez is preferred to the highly experienced Gerardo (who's contract is up at the end of the season) at right back and there is a return for Vicente Valcarce at left back after several weeks out through injury. Hierro decides against his normal 4-4-2 formation so there is no place for Counago up front alongside Salva, but instead opts for a strange looking 4-2-3-1 line-up with right wing back Gabriel chosen to play behind Salva in the centre of midfield, Edgar in for Manu and Nacho taking up the left wing duties from Duda.

Malaga (4-2-3-1): Arnau; Jesus Gamez, Alexis, Fernando Sanz and Valcarce; Juan Rodriguez and Bovio; Edgar, Gabriel and Nacho; Salva.

The game kicks off in lovely warm sunshine and the players seem to be playing in slow motion in the heat.
In 3' Juan Rodriguez lazily loses possession in midfield and the dangerous Paunovic latches onto the ball requiring Fernando Sanz, making a record breaking 201st appearance for Malaga, to make a last ditch tackle for which he was lucky not be booked or sent off for, even.
In 7' Malaga, playing towards the Gol end, win the first corner of the match down the left hand side as Nacho's pressing gives Contra no option. Edgar takes the kick but Luis Garcia collects easily.
The first shot of the game comes in 10' and it's from the dangerman Paunovic, who tries a snap shot from 30 yards. It is on target, but is weak and straight to Arnau.
Malaga win their second corner of the game in the next minute after Gabriel shows some excellent ball skills and pace down the right wing, but the kick is again easily gathered by Garcia in the Getafe goal.
Paunovic is proving a handful for the Malaga defence and Fernando Sanz again has to bring him down in a dangerous position. However the resultant free kick poses no threat to the Malaga goal.
In 15' Malaga's first attempt at goal is a fanciful attempt from Edgar from the half way line as he spots Garcia at the edge of his penalty box. The Portuguese's effort, though, is well wide.
In 18' Fernando Sanz, who is having a torrid time, has to stoop low to head a cross away from Redondo. He heads it straight to Paunovic, who, from 30 yards, takes a pot shot at goal. The ball ricochets off the back of the still stooped Fernando Sanz and loops over Arnau's head and into the net.

Malaga 0 Getafe 1

It's another freak goal and another body blow to the confidence of the home team. However, Getafe scent blood and go looking for the second goal which would surely kill the game.
In 24' Alberto sends in a powerful drive from 30 yards which requires Arnau to dive full length to his right to palm the ball away.
The unlikely source of left back Valcarce provides Malaga's second shot at goal in 25'. After an Edgar free kick is cleared from the crowded box to him, 40 yards out, Valcarce, with no other option available to him, tries to keep it low and blasts in a strong drive. However, it takes a deflection off a Malaga player and goes wide for a goal kick.
In 26' the first booking of the match is Jesus Gamez for high feet on Dorado.
In 30' Getafe win their first corner of the game when Nano kicks the ball off Jesus Gamez. The kick is delayed as the 100 or so throng (you know the guys with the drums, the loudhailers, constant singing and chanting etc) behind the goal throw their scarves into the goalmouth. As the players pick up the scarves and clear the area, the crowd behind the goal, in another premeditated protest at the club's management, en masse take off their tops revealing white tee shirts with a slogan, which politely asks the board and management of Malaga to go away somewhere nice, leave their seats and move to the back of the stand. Arnau collects Nano's corner easily but the Malaga players are visibly shaken by this strong protest from the group of staunch supporters who are most audibly behind the team at every game.
The game goes into a lull for a few minutes. It's as though both sets of players are considering what has happened off the pitch; Malaga's seemed stunned and Getafe's sense that they should be capitalising on the moment but just lack the wit and invention to do anything about it.
Bovio, the Brazilian playmaker, is the first to wake up and from his deep defensive midfield position decides to run at the Getafe defence. Spanish teams don't like players running at them and usually cynically bring them down pretty quickly, but Bovio has good feet and goes past three despairing tackles before eventually being pushed off the ball deep in the penalty area. As usual for Malaga this season - no penalty.
In the minutes before half time, Edgar, who hasn't recovered from the protest from the supporters behind the goal, seems to be all at sea and allows Dorado to pick up a ball in midfield which he wasn't entitled to. The attacking midfielder bears down on goal passing two defenders before Alexis (easily Malaga's best performer over the past few weeks) sticks out a leg which kills the pace and deflects Dorado's shot into Arnau's arms.

Half time Malaga 0 Getafe 1

Malaga introduce two subs on the resumption - Edgar comes off for Counago and Nacho comes off for Antonio Lopez. Gabriel moves to the right wing and Counago moves up front alongside Salva as Malaga revert to a 4-4-2 formation.
In 47' the two subs have an immediate impact as the busy Lopez uses some trickery to get into the box. He slips the ball to Counago, but he tries to place the ball without enough power and Garcia makes the save.
In 49' the two subs combine again. This time, Antonio Lopez elects to shoot himself and his effort can only be parried by Garcia. Counago has two defenders and goalkeeper to contend with but he picks up the loose ball and fires home from five yards. It's only his third goal of the season, but it's the first we've seen in a long time at La Roseleda and it's a time to go a little mad and enjoy the moment.

Malaga 1 Getafe 1

In 51' Jesus Gamez takes a long throw from the right touchline which finds Juan Rodriguez's head but Garcia makes a fine save.
In 53' Juan Rodriguez is brought down in full flight as Malaga go for a second goal. Antonio Lopez flights in a delightful box but the referee spots an infringement by Salva on Garcia and the danger is averted.
In 57' Alberto reminds us that Getafe are still a threat when his run down the right wing ends with an excellent cross for Paunovic. The striker's header requires a fine save from Arnau.
In 63' Juan Rodriguez is booked for a foul on Dorado from behind.
In 64' the limping Dorado is replaced by Guizo.
In 65' Jesus Gamez is replaced by Hidalgo. Gabriel now moves back to right back for his third position this game.
The change seems to work when Bovio finds Hidalgo who in turn spots the overlapping run of Gabriel. The little Brazilian's first touch eludes him though and his shot goes wide.
In 70' Nano is booked for a foul on Gabriel and is immediately substituted for Riki.
In 72' Valcarce sends in a lovely cross for Salva. The burly striker goes up for it as Garcia rushes out. The keeper goes to punch the ball but connects with Salva instead and the forward crashes to the ground. There are loud appeals for a penalty, but as usual at La Roseleda, it's not given.
This event seems to knock the stuffing out of Malaga and their fire seems dampened. The game becomes scrappy and bogged down in midfield.
In 81' Redondo comes off for Cubill.
In 83' another fine move from Counago, who beats three before crossing from the left, sees Salva's header go just wide.
The game turns again in 84' when Paunovic is brought down by Fernando Sanz. The Malaga captain is deemed last man and is given a straight red card.
The luck worsens for Malaga two minutes later when their other centre half goes down in a challenge in his own box. He receives several minutes of treatment before being stretchered off. Malaga are down to nine men and have no central defenders on the park!
Guizo tries to exploit the issue as Malaga desperately try to reform and Bovio makes a timely tackle to deny the substitute after running back from midfield for 20 yards.
In 90' Malaga's last throw comes when Counago is fouled 30 yards out. Bovio takes the kick but mishits it and the goalkeeper gathers easily.
In 92' Alexis returns to the field shakily and takes up a forward position.
In 94' Guizo finds Paunovic in a wide position. From a tight angle the striker attempts an unlikely shot at goal. It seems to catch Arnau by surprise and hits off his body and into the goal.

Malaga 1 Getafe 2

There's no time for a restart as the referee blows for full time. I can say no more.

Malaga travel for the next two weekends, away to third placed Osasuna and second placed Real Madrid respectively. Their next home game is in three weeks against Racing Santander. Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 10:13 AM | Permalink

Jornada 30, that means 9 games to go until the end of the season, including this one. After the disastrous run during November and December when the prospect of relegation was becoming a worrying reality, under new boss Tapia, Malaga now believe they only need a further six points or two wins from these 9 games to ensure safety. A few more points and who knows where you can end up in this league! After today, the next few games are away to Valencia and Albacete, home to champions-elect Barcelona and away to Levante. So on paper, today's opposition, Getafe, represent a real opportunity to take the first three of the points required.
On paper. This is an historic season from Madrid's fourth team (after Real, Atletico and Rayo with their Coliseum Alfonso Perez stadium holding only 14,400 spectators), being their first season ever since their foundation in 1983 that they have achieved La Liga status. Hence every game makes history as they are playing teams for the first time and visit La Roselda for the first time ever. And what a season! In their last away game they beat Real Madrid 2-1 and sit one point ahead of Malaga in the table. In 39 years old Enrique Sanchez Flores, they have one of the youngest managers in La Liga. In Sanchez Broto, they have an experienced goalkeeper, a former Malaga goalie who left the Costa del Sol to sign for Steve Archibald's Airdrie in 1999, spent three years with Livingston before becoming a Celtic player in 2002. Last season he played in La Liga for the to-be-relegated Real Murcia under John Toshack and was signed as cover for Aragoneses by Flores. The 33 year old stopper has pushed himself into the first team and has become the regular choice. Getafe play 4-4-2, with blond midfielder Rivas pulling the strings for the two big strikers Yordi and Panchon.
Getafe (4-4-2): Broto,Yanguas, Belenguer, Nano and Pernia, Cotelo, Rivas, Gabi and Vivar, Yordi and Panchon.
Malaga's team has the now familiar line-up, with Tapia keeping faith with the men who did so well for him since he took over as manager in January. There has been some transfer speculation concerning a number of Malaga's players, notably Juan Rodriguez (Liverpool), Miguel Angel (Betis) and Juanito (Deportivo). Also Amoroso may be leaving for Qatar and Baiano's future is also uncertain. There is no place for Wanchope on the bench as he is recovering from his two World Cup qualifier international matches for Costa Rica against Panama and Trinidad and Tobago.
Malaga (4-2-3-1): Arnau, Gerardo, Cesar, Fernando Sanz, Valcarce, Juanito and Romero, Juan Rodriguez, Miguel Angel and Duda, Baiano.
It's been a lovely Sunday afternoon in Malaga. It's 1700h, it's 24C, the sun is shining and Helen (no Geoff, yet again) is worried because we have not brought sun tan lotion with us. Malaga are in their familiar blue and white stripes, Getafe in all scarlet red.
There is a one minute silence before kick-off in respect of the death of "El Papa". This is a total silence from the crowd and I considered what it would be like if there was a Celtic-Rangers match on and a minute's silence was requested for the death of the Pope.
The first shot of the game is from Panchon in 4' who takes a snapshot 35 yards out, but the shot is also 35 yards wide. This wakes up Malaga who then begin to dominate play. Duda forces a spectacular one-handed save from Broto in 6' with Juan Rodriguez denied. A number of shots are fired in by Malaga in the next few minutes. First in 7' Gerardo has a go from 30 yards, then Juanito runs onto a loose ball, but his low shot is straight at Broto. Then a good effort from Juan Rodriguez looks goal bound except at the last moment it swerves just wide of the post.
Getafe show again in 12' with nifty footwork by the big No.9 Yordi as he drifts past Gerardo down their left wing, but Romero steps in and takes the ball past three players before releasing Duda with a 30 yard pass down the left wing. Cesar and Fernando Sanz are looking strong in defence although Yordi and Panchon look lively. On the centre line on 14', Fernando Sanz makes a sliding tackle on Rivas and the loose ball is picked up by Baiano on the left touchline. The Brazilian starts a run across the field, evades a tackle from Yanguas then does a step over to get past Belenguer. As Nano tries to cover, BAIANO sends in a rasping, curling shot which goes in off the post. Great goal and a candidate for some award. It's MALAGA 1 GETAFE 0
Malaga keep up the momentum and Duda again brings out a fantastic one-handed save from Broto from a free kick 25 yards out after Juan Rodriguez had been brought down. In 17' Malaga almost increase the lead as Juan Rodriguez narrowly heads wide after a neat lob from Romero. There is a scramble in the box as Baiano, Miguel Angel and Duda all have shots blocked as Malaga pile on the pressure. In 20' Duda has a great chance down the left wing with a great one-two with Miguel Angel, but his strong drive from inside the box hits the side net.
After this flurry of attacks, Getafe get back into the game and Rivas is taking the eye in midfield. The game however becomes bogged down in midfield as both teams fail to keep possession.
In 32' Juan Rodriguez brings down Yordi out wide on the left wing. Getafe get everybody up for the free kick. The kick is taken by Pernia but seems to go behind most of the Getafe players, but somehow, centreback NANO, with his back to goal, manages an amazing overhead kick which flies past Arnau to make it 1-1.
It's Getafe's first effort on target, but it's a great goal.
Half time Malaga 1 Getafe 1
In 50' the first booking of the game is Getafe's Vivar for tripping Juan Rodriguez after the big striker had left the central midfielder for dead. Duda takes but shoots straight to Broto.
In 53' it's nosebleed territory for anchor Romero as he chases a bouncing ball into the box. Broto panics and the ball goes out for a corner. Duda's corner is headed out by the defence but only to Miguel Angel, waiting 20 yards out. The stylish playmaker hits it on the volley and it screams netbound only to come crashing off the bar. The ball falls to Duda who sends it back in but Romero heads just over. Malaga are back in attacking mode and Getafe have their backs to the wall, as Juan Rodriguez, Miguel Angel and Romero force errors with their running and chasing.
In 64' Romero, who has had an excellent game. again runs into the box and forces yet another corner. He meets Duda's kick with his head but finds the sidenet.
With Getafe missing in attack, Tapia takes off Fernando Sanz in 66' and brings on Amoroso.
Two minutes later Romero is dumped in midfield. Duda's kick finds Baiano in space and the Brazilian's shot requires yet another spectacular save from Broto, who manages to get his finger tips to the ball at full length to put it out for a corner. Amoroso takes the kick but the ball is hoofed away anywhere.
Malaga go 4-2-4 trying to find the winner, with Juan Rodriguez wide right, Duda wide left and the two Brazilians, Baiano and Amoroso through the middle. Juanito has dropped back to centre half and Romero and Miguel Angel operating in midfield.
In 78' Baiano is tripped on the left 30 yards out. It's yet another opportunity for Duda (who takes all the free kicks, but rarely seems to threaten the goal). His kick this time comes back off the wall and the referee blows for a penalty for handball in the box! The crowd are ecstatic! Who will take the kick? Remember, Malaga are the only team not to have scored this season from the spot. This in fact is only their second award of the season. But wait, there is a stooshie out there on the park. The Getafe players surround the referee and chase him around the penalty box. This lasts for several minutes and the crowd are becoming restless. The referee then decides to consult his linesman. The result? Take the free kick again! Astounding! No penalty! In 45 years of watching football, I have never seen the likes of this before. (On watching the TV highlights later, the ball quite clearly comes off Nano's head, but that's not the point). Duda's retake again hits the wall, but this time the referee gives a corner. Amoroso takes it quickly, gets the return from Baiano but his shot hits the side net.
In 85' the ball is played down the right wing for Juan Rodriguez. As the ball passes way over his head Amoroso is brought down off the ball by Yordi. The Brazilian lies in a heap on the ground as the referee has no hesitation of showing the big centre a straight red card.
There's a full 6 minutes of added time, but it is not Malaga's day and they are denied the win they surely deserved.
Full-time Malaga 1 Getafe 1
Next home game is in three weeks against mighty Barcelona. Never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there!

Posted by hodgers at 10:15 AM | Permalink