Match Reports

Castilla are lying in the relegation zone with three points less than Malaga, so manager Muniz had stated before the game that an away win in this game could go a long way to settling Malaga’s fears for this season.
He was without the suspended Molinero, but welcomed the return of Jesus Gamez, Armando and Jesule back after suspension. Also returning to the bench after recovering from injury was left winger Ernesto. In the absence of Molinero, his favourite right winger, he went for a 4-3-3 formation for this important match:

Malaga (4-3-3): Goitia; Jesus Gamez, Armando, Jesule and Valcarce; Hidalgo, Silva and Calleja; Jonaton Valle, Ivan Rosado and Counago.

Only 4000 supporters were in the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium, Real Madrid’s training ground, for their “B” team’s clash with Malaga.
The first 20 minutes or so did not produce any action of note and we had to wait 25’ for the first booking – surely some kind of record in the Spanish Second Division. It was Castilla’s Adrian who was shown the yellow for barging into Hidalgo.
In 28’ Rosado breaks from the centre circle and starts on a run down the left. He is supported by Calleja who receives the pass and runs down the touchline. After avoiding the attentions of full back Velavos, Calleja swings a perfect cross into the box, where his three forwards are waiting. Jonaton Valle, with his back to goal, got to the ball first and chested it back to Rosado. The striker headed the ball goalwards, only to see it come back off the post with Castilla goalkeeper, Codina, at full stretch and lying on the ground. Malaga’s third striker, COUNAGO, was first to pounce to stroke the ball home from three yards. GOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!
It was just what Malaga needed and you could see that from the reaction of the players.

RM Castilla 0 Malaga 1

As often happens when a goal is scored, the scoring team relax and allow the opposition into the game. Castilla are also fighting for their Second Division lives and in 32’ their top scorer, Negredo with 14 goals so far this season, sent in a sizzler from the left wing that skiffed the far post as it went wide, with Goitia watching anxiously.
In 35’ attacking midfielder, De la Red went close again with a scorcher from 30 yards after a flowing Castilla move through the centre of Malaga’s defence, but his effort went over the bar.
Castilla keep up the pressure in 36’ when they win their first corner. But Armando heads the resultant kick clear.
Malaga shake themselves up and Counago is unlucky not to win a penalty when three defenders sandwich him in the Castilla box, but the referee says “No”.
In 38’ Valcarce receives a booking for a tackle from behind.
In 41’ Jesus Gamez splits the defence to find Counago running on his own into the box. He only has Codina to beat but he elects to try and lob the ‘keeper instead of finishing powerfully and the sitter is missed as the Codina gathers the ball easily.

Half-time RM Castilla 0 Malaga 1

Now readers of these reports will know that Malaga seem to come out after halftime a little dozy. We have in the past blamed the tea lady for her infusion having this effect. Others of us wonder about manager Muniz’s team talk. As a player he was a defender and his teams since becoming a manager have always been defensively minded. Whatever it is, Malaga have a record of losing goals (and games) in the first ten minutes after half time. So, despite the encouraging score, many of us were nervous whether one goal would be enough to secure the three points and whether Malaga would be able to weather the storm that their fellow strugglers would surely unleash.

Castilla’s intentions were made clear with two substitutions at half time, with forwards Callejon and Bueno coming on for defender Agus and midfielder Granero.
Our worst fears are confirmed five minutes into the second half. Bueno’s impact is almost immediate when he finds NEGREDO in the box. Armando has a moment of indecision, which allows the Castilla striker to turn and poke the ball past Goitia from 12 yards. Disaster!

RM Castilla 1 Malaga 1

Malaga almost go ahead in the next minute. Jonaton Valle is well out, at least 25 yards, when he spots Codina off his line. He sends in a belter, but sees the ball cannon off the cross bar and back into play.
Castilla almost go ahead themselves in 59’ when left winger Adrian tries a cross-cum-shot which lands on the roof of the net.
In 61’ Negredo goes down theatrically in the box, but the referee says “No”.
In 63’ Armando is hacked down cynically by Adrian, who has already been booked. The referee seems to hesitate for a minute and then decides not to show the red card. Wrong decision.
In 64’ Muniz makes a strange decision by bringing on Ernesto for Jonaton Valle. Strange because Ernesto is totally left footed, a winger and Calleja and Valcarce are both operating down the left wing already.
In 65’ De la Red is booked for a cynical late tackle on Hidalgo. This is also a very poor decision by the referee as some of his peers would have given a straight red for this offence. Even the ultra-biased Real Madrid TV commentators thought that De la Red was lucky to stay on the pitch!!!
In 67’ RMC mount another sweeping, passing move that results in Goitia having to make a fine diving save.
Malaga have not started really in this half – it’s either the tea lady or Muniz seems to be happy with a draw.
In 70’ Chengue Morales comes on for the tiring Counago.
In 73’ RMC make their third change with attacking midfielder Valero on for Matta, as RMC go for the winner.
Valero almost scores with his first touch of the ball in 74’ when fellow substitute Bueno finds him clear in the box with Armando confused again. This time Valcarce reacts quickly to come across and block the shot.
Muniz’s intentions are made abundantly clear in 76’ when he replaces striker Rosado, who’s had his best game yet in a Malaga shirt, for young defensive midfielder, Gascon.
In 84’ Calleja is booked for a foul on De la Red, who has been more prominent in RMC’s attacks.
In 85’ Valero again looks dangerous when he runs onto a fine pass inside the box. Fortunately he shoots straight at Goitia.
In 87’ Calleja is booked for the second time in three minutes and sent off.
Malaga’s backs are now really up against the wall and try to hold out to full-time. But to no avail as in 91’ Bueno holds up the ball well in the penalty box and passes short to DE LA RED, who turns, with the Malaga defence watching on, to slot the ball past Goitia for the winner.

Full-time: Real Madrid Castilla 2 Malaga 1

A very poor performance from Malaga, especially in the second half. It is always dubious tactics trying to defend a 1-0 or even a 1-1 result, so much of the blame must land at the manager’s feet. RMC seemed much more fired up for this crucial match and in the end their perseverance got them the result they just about deserved over the piece.
This result had us looking at the other results to see whether Malaga had dropped into the relegation zone. Fortunately Alaves were beaten at home by Las Palmas and remain one point behind Malaga and occupy the dreaded slot.
Next week, Malaga are back at La Rosaleda to face bottom club Vecindario. It’s a quite different atmosphere playing in front of 20,000 noisy home supporters and hopefully Malaga will be able to get a win which will keep our hopes alive a little longer. Never fear your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

For more Malaga information and gossip on the Message Board in English, visit www.malagafootballenglish.com

1º Valladolid 78
2º Almería 70
3º Murcia 70
4º C. de Murcia 53
5º Albacete 52
6º Cádiz 51
7º Numancia 51
8º Xerez 50
9º Salamanca 50
10º Elche 49
11º Tenerife 48
12º Las Palmas 47
13º Hércules 47
14º Castellón 46
15º Pol. Ejido 45
16º Málaga 44
17º Sporting 44
18º RM Castilla 44
19º Alavés 43
20º Ponferradina 36
21º Lorca 32
22º Vecindario 24

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 9:40 AM | Permalink

Saturday 2 December 2006 and a first for us in four seasons since moving to Spain. It's raining at a football match and not only that it's torrential. There is no way we could sit in our seats which are out in the open behind the goal and so we watched the game from the top of the stairs under the shelter of the upper tier. It was the same for the rest of the 8000 supporters who turned up, giving the stadium a strange aspect, with only the (fool)hardy out there near to the touchlines. The game is being shown live on Spanish TV and so it is not surprising that given the atrocious weather conditions that we have the lowest attendance for some seasons.

Malaga are without the injured Edgar and Schurrer and the suspended Silva. But it's a welcome return to the squad of both Counago and Romero after recovering from their injuries. Also recalled are the lightweight Jonaton Valle and the clumsy Cesar Navas in a team which lined up in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation, with only the full backs proving width. Perhaps it was because the lateral areas of the pitch were showing signs of flooding, but it has been a very long time since we have seen a Malaga team without two wingers.

Malaga (4-1-2-1-2): Arnau; Jesus Gamez, Cesar Navas, Jesule and Jose Mari; Romero; OJ Morales and Calleja; Jonaton Valle; Chengue Morales and Salva.

RM Castilla (4-2-3-1): Cudina; Palencia, Tebar, Agus and Torres; De la Red and Mata; Valero, Granero and Adrian; Negredo.

Castilla are Real Madrid's "B" team and include a number of players who have had first team experience with the "big boys". But they are primarily a young team, typically aged between 19 and 21, so Malaga should have the edge on experience and of course, playing at home. The weather though is uncharacteristic and gives the game a different perspective with the eerie atmosphere and the greasy surface.

Malaga lose the toss and kick off. After an exchange in the centre circle, Jonaton Valle picks up the ball just around the centre spot and puts a through ball for Salva to chase. The burly striker is standing inside the centre circle and starts on a run. He's not known for his pace but somehow he easily outpaces Tebar and runs into the box. Cudina comes out but SALVA coolly goes round him and puts the ball into the empty net. GOAL! 25 seconds! GOAL! What a start!
Malaga 1 Castilla 0
What a great start for Malaga, who after last week's win against Salamanca have gone to 9th in the table and are looking for a little run that would take them further up the league.
We have to wait until the 12' for Castilla's first shot at goal, but Negredo's effort is straight at Arnau.
In 13' Malaga have a great opportunity to go further ahead and put the game out of the reach of Madrid's young stars. Jose Mari sends a long ball down the left to Salva who does well to put in a perfect cross for Chengue, standing on his own in the penalty box. The ball seems to be at awkward height for the 8'7" striker, who cannot decide whether to head or kick the ball. He stoops low to head the ball (wrong decision) and the chance is lost.
In 16' OJ Morales fails to intercept a pass in midfield, when it really should have been his ball. The 21 year old striker, Negredo, manages to shimmy past Jesule and runs into the box. Arnau had the chance to come out and collect the ball but hesitates and Negredo slots the ball into the net for the equaliser.
Malaga 1 Castilla 1
In 19' Tebar, who is having a torrid time, is booked for a foul on Jonaton Valle.
In 21' Jesus Gamez breaks down the right wing to be promptly upended by Torres. Calleja takes the free kick which is punched out by Cudina. Unfortunately for Castilla, it falls to Calleja who hooks a ball back to Jesus Gamez from the by-line. The young full-back strikes the ball well and Cudina can only push the ball away. SALVA pounces on the loose ball and taps home for his own and Malaga's second. GOAL.
Malaga 2 Castilla 1
Malaga's new formation seems to be working as an attacking force, but the defensive fragilities (also known as Arnau and Cesar Navas) are still present and the crowd suck their collective breath every time a Castilla forward chases a ball into the home penalty area.
In 27' Castilla win their first corner. Negredo gets onto the ball at the far post and attempts a bicycle kick which Romero does well to clear off the line with Arnau gone fishing.
From the clearance Jonaton Valle goes on a run in a counter-attacking move. Cudina is off his line and we are all shouting for him to try the lob. Instead he passes left to OJ Morales who has run with him in support. But this is nose bleed country for the Uruguayan defensive midfielder and his shot goes well wide.
In 29' another mistake by Cesar Navas allows Negredo, who is proving too much of a handful for the lanky centre back, another run at goal. His shot is powerful but straight at Arnau.
In 31' Salva gives away a free kick some 30 yards from goal. Granero takes the kick. It flies over the players in the crowded box and bounces in front of the static Arnau, who watches transfixed as the ball slips into the net. Two defensive errors from Arnau and two goals conceded.
Malaga 2 Castilla 2
It seems no matter hard the midfield and strikers work up front, all their good work is undone by sloppy defending.
Malaga keep on attacking the visitor's goal. In 35' the good work almost pays off when a Romero drive is almost headed past his own keeper by Tebar. The ball slides dangerously close by the near post for a corner.
We only have to wait two more minutes though. Calleja takes a corner on the right. SALVA times his jump perfectly to head home and complete his hat-trick.
Malaga 3 Castilla 2
Castilla are not out of it and know that Arnau is suspect in Malaga's goal. They almost score a third equaliser just before half time when Valera's free kick is headed out by Chengue with Arnau at full stretch.
Half-time Malaga 3 Castilla 2
Unsurprisingly, Castilla replace Tebar for Santa Cruz at half time.
More surprisingly, Malaga change their tactics and go for strange looking 4-4-2 formation, with Calleja moving wide left and Jonaton Valle wide right, leaving the two defensive midfielders, OJ Morales and Romero in the middle.
In 47' Salva becomes Malaga's first booking after talking back to the referee after a foul has been given against him.
Malaga seem content to defend their slender lead and defend very deeply in their own half, inviting the young Madrid team to come onto them.
In a rare excursion into the Castilla half, Jonaton Valle (who looks out of place on the right wing) spots Cudina on the edge of his penalty area and tries a shot from half way. The goalkeeper scrambles back but the shot is off target.
In 56' Negredo beats Cesar Navas with yet another nutmeg but his resulting shot is high and wide.
Malaga continue to play very deep, seemingly confident that they can absorb anything Castilla throw at them. Not us in the crowd though and the home fans are strangely muted. The rain continues to pour down unabated and the pitch is becoming very heavy in parts.
In 59' Nieto comes on for Granero.
In 60' Adrian is booked for a foul on Jonaton Valle.
The next minute Salva runs onto a ball and shoots at goal producing a fine save from Cudina, but the referee has blown for offside anyway.
Malaga are playing a dangerous game as Castilla remain camped in their half and seem to be relying on the occasional counterattacks to alleviate the strain from the defence.
In 63' Chengue runs from halfway in one such move. He has no support and when he gets close enough to fire in a shot it is weak and goes wide.
In 66' Hidalgo comes on for OJ Morales, to hopefully provide more of an attacking midfield option for the home side.
In 68' Chengue is booked for a lunging tackle from behind.
The next minute Calleja has the ball in the net, but he's offside.
In 70', in a strange substitution, Calleja is taken off for Valcarce. The left back adopts his normal position and the young left back, Jose Mari takes a more forward position.
Malaga now have five defenders and a very defensive midfielder on the park.
In 71' Cesar Navas keeps up his booking a game ratio with a sliding tackle on Adrian.
Castilla are creating all the chances with Mata and Negreda both going close after neat passing movements and De la Red hitting the wall from a free kick.
The worst was coming and it came in the 76' minute when full back Palencia delivers a superb cross to the far post. Despite the attention of both Malaga central defenders, Negreda gets there first and head down to Valera, standing on his own. He taps home the equaliser from five yards.
Malaga 3 RM Castilla 3
Muniz had been considering bring on yet another defender, Molinero, before the goal and indeed he was stripped and ready to come on. However, the goal changed his negative thinking and poor old Molinero (a right back) had to put his track suit top on again. Instead it's Perico (the left footed right winger?!?) who comes on for the tired Jonaton Valle, in a vain attempt to restore Malaga back into an attacking force.
In 79' Santa Cruz is booked for hacking down Salva.
In 80' a very tired looking Chengue gets the ball in the net but even though it's Salva who is offside but not "active" it's not given as a goal.
In a timewasting move in 88' Rodri comes on for Adrian.
Malaga are more in Castilla's half now as they go for the winner. A long ball finds Chengue in the box. The giant striker turns to shoot and bundled over by Agus. A penalty? Probably. Was it given? Are you serious?
In one last final flurry Salva tries hard to add to his already impressive tally for the game with an audacious overhead kick, but the ball flies over and it's game over.
Full time Malaga 3 Castilla 3

Crime Count: Malaga: yellow cards 3: (Salva, Chengue, Cesar Navas)
Real Madrid Castilla: yellow cards 3: (Tebar, Adrian, Santa Cruz)

Two points lost is how to best sum this game up. It was played in almost surreal conditions with the torrential rain and smaller and muted crowd and but for especially Arnau's fragilities in the first half Malaga could have run up a cricket score. Then with Muniz's wrong tactics in the second half, trying to defend a one goal lead for 45 minutes?!??, in the end a draw was the probably the correct result. But not the home result needed to get the team higher up the table.
Next week sees Malaga fly off to Gran Canaria to play Vecendario in Las Palmas. The Segunda new boys are lying bottom of the table and are struggling to find any form in what is maybe a step too far for them. Let's hope they don't find their form next week when Malaga come calling!

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 11:39 PM | Permalink