Jornada 16: Gimnastic vs. Malaga
Malaga travelled to Tarragona, the Catalan town just south of Barcelona, to face the third of the relegated teams in a three game sequence. After losing to Real Sociedad and drawing last week against Celta Vigo, Malaga’s form against the better teams in this division has been found a little wanting.
There were just a few Malaga stalwarts in the 8,000 crowd to watch this game, again shown live on Spanish television. With Hidalgo suspended and Apoño picking up an injury in midweek training, Muñiz was forced to make changes to his regular midfield line-up. But Muñiz surprised many of us when the line-up was revealed as a 4-4-2 set-up with Silva (a centre back) lining up beside Carpintero (a very deep playing defensive midfielder) in the heart of the midfield. Although Eliseu was available after returning from his suspension, Calleja kept his place on the left wing, after his goal last week. Up front, Salva was surprisingly kept on the bench to allow the return of Baha, only recently returned from France after receiving treatment for a shoulder injury, which had kept him out of the squad for several weeks.
Malaga (4-4-2): Goitia, Jesus Gamez, Rosario, Weligton and Rossato; Paulo Jorge, Carpintero, Silva and Calleja; Baha and Peragon.
Malaga’s line-up, being so defensive, with in effect four centre backs on the field, none of whom can be trusted to accurately find one of their own players outside a five yard pass, inevitably found themselves under pressure from the kick-off. The wingers kept dropping back to try and gain some possession but the gap between them and the strikers was too great which again gave possession back to the home team. As a result, the game was littered with a number of petty fouls, born mainly from frustration from the midfield and also a number of offsides, with Malaga’s strikers caught trying to chase hopeful long balls.
Despite this, the best chance of a dreary first half fell to Baha. Carpentero’s lob over the top allowed the striker to run on behind the Nastic defence and try a shot at home keeper Roberto. His shot was on target, but weak and straight into Roberto’s arms.
Muniz’s plans were further disrupted just before half time, when the diminutive Peragon jumped for a high ball on the edge of the penalty area with Roberto. The goalkeeper got there first but also clattered poor Peragon, who lay still on the ground for too long before being stretchered off. He was replaced by striker Salva.
Half-time Gimnastic 0 Malaga 0
There were no further Malaga changes on at the resumption, so Muñiz continued with his negative spoiling tactics, despite the fact that the home team seemed incapable of getting a shot anywhere near on target.
In the 54’ the ineffective Paulo Jorge was replaced by Cheli, another like for like replacement. With no creative supply from the centre of midfield, changing wingers seemed another strange decision.
Both teams seemed content with the 0-0 draw as the game became a tedious continuum of stoppages for petty fouls and offsides.
But it was Cheli who broke from the right hand touchline to intercept a midfield pass in the centre circle in 77’. His momentum carried him onto the left wing where he turned and passed inside to Calleja. Maybe the left winger was embarrassed by Cheli appearing on his wing, we shall never know, but Calleja ran ten yards down the wing before sending over a peach of cross for SALVA. The big striker was surrounded by three defenders but somehow managed to rise above them, whilst simultaneously noticing that Roberto was standing on his six yard line. His powerful header looped over Roberto’s head and into the net. GOOOOAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!!!
Out of the blue. Totally undeserved. A bit of magic. Sheer class. What a great goal!
Gimnastic 0 Malaga 1
Would this awaken the game? Would we see more open play and more creative moves? Nope!
The pattern remained unchanged, except of course that Malaga were ahead and seemed to have miraculously stolen the three points. Even if they weren’t capable of another piece of magic, then surely their six defenders could hold on for the remaining fifteen minutes or so.
Well, they almost did. In 88’, Rossato conceded a free kick some 30 yards out near the touchline on Malaga’s left side. The free kick was taken with Malaga pulling all eleven players back into the box to defend and the ball was cleared from the area. It was picked up by Arpon, fully 30 yards out on Malaga’s right side touchline. The Gimnastic substitute hit the ball back into the crowded area. It bounced once and Weligton took a swing at it to try and put the ball behind. Unfortunately, he successfully directed the ball away from Goitia and into his own net!
It was no more than Gimnastic deserved from the game after all their possession and pressure.
Gimnastic 1 Malaga 1
Immediately Muñiz withdrew Calleja and brought on Eliseu. The speedy and tricky winger soon had the home defence in knots and with his first foray down the wing, sent in a glorious cross across the six yard line. Baha was waiting but the ball was intercepted for a corner before it reached him. But it was all too late and the referee blew on his whistle to end a dreary game in which Muñiz seemed to achieve what he was looking for – a draw.
Full time Gimnastic 1 Malaga 1
Next week Malaga are again on their travels, this time to the Costa Blanca to play Hercules in Alicante. They are one the sides gaining momentum in the table, sitting in seventh position. Another interesting match in prospect, but Muñiz may have all his players available next week to give him more options. I hope he will pick a side capable of winning next week, which was never really the case against Gimnastic. It’s again live on Spanish TV, so never fear, Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be watching for you!