Jornada 39: Malaga vs. Real Murcia
Sunday afternoon at 5pm and it's 30C.
Malaga have the advantage of knowing all their nearest rivals scores before they kick off as most of the Segunda games were played on Saturday; and it's not good news. All of their rivals won their matches, with the exception of RM Castilla, who succumbed to 2-3 home defeat to Tenerife, to remain in the dreaded fourth bottom and relegation slot. Malaga go into this game six points ahead of Castilla, with four games remaining. A point, or even better three, against Murcia would surely end their relegation fears.
Murcia though have shown themselves to be one of the better sides in this league and are already assured of promotion, as the top three have an insurmountable gap between them and the chasing 19 clubs. Will they stay in second gear and give Malaga an excellent opportunity to drag themselves clear of relegation?
Muniz has a full squad to pick from, except for the injured Silva and Romero. But as has been predictable now for some games, he elects to go for the same starting eleven as the previous week.
Malaga (4-3-3): Goitia; Jesus Gamez, Armando, Jesule and Valcarce; Hidalgo, Sandro and Gascon; Ivan Rosado, Counago and Calleja.
In the Murcia team, a rare thing, an English player. Gifton Noel-Williams, born in Islington and who made his name with a seven year stint with Watford, signed for Murcia for £50,000 from Burnley during the January transfer window.
There is an impressive 16,896 crowd in La Rosaleda for the start of this match played in bright afternoon sunshine. Murcia kick off defending the Fondo end, but it is Malaga who start the brighter and in 3' Counago forces a corner on the left. The ball falls to Hidalgo (nicknamed Hidalgoal after his recent goalscoring heroics) but the midfielder's effort disappears high up in the upper tier.
Murcia look dangerous, particularly their number 10, Abel, playing wide right and Malaga are forced to concede a first corner in only five minutes. Armando, always commanding in the air, heads clear.
In 7' Ivan Rosado, Malaga's most improved player over the past few games, picks out Jesus Gamez's lung bursting run down the right wing. The full back sends in a perfect cross from the by-line but there are no forwards there in support.
The first real shot of the game comes from Murcia in 10' when Abel sends in a dipping drive from 30 yards which only just was too high.
Goitia's goal kick is picked up by Counago who runs towards the goal and unleashes a powerful shot which goalkeeper Juanmi has to dive full length to keep out and concede a corner.
Malaga keep up the pressure when from Calleja's corner, Valcarce has a powerful shot from 30 yards which Juanmi does well to tip over for another corner. Calleja this time finds Jesus Gamez at the far post. The full back appears to be impeded and brought down, but the referee waves play on as the ball is cleared upfield.
In 11' the first booking of the game when Armando appears to leapfrog a Murcia player in the centre circle.
The best move of the game so far comes in 13'. Hidalgo picks up a loose ball in the centre circle and charges upfield. Counago is running in support and takes the ball after a fine pass. However, his first touch is awful so he misses his opportunity to shoot and instead passes square to Calleja. The winger's shot goes straight into the arms of Juanmi.
In 18' World Cup Willie (or Sandro) tries to look for the 30 yard pass. While he is doing so he is dispossessed and Murcia break through the centre of Malaga's defence, requiring a save from Goitia to keep the scores level.
In 21' Hidalgo again sends Jesus Gamez down the right wing with a lovely pass. Again the full back delivers an excellent cross into the box. This time Counago is there and Juanmi has to pull off a fine save from close range.
In 25' Rosado finds himself clear on the edge of the box when Calleja finds him with a cut back from the touchline. The striker has plenty of time but his left footed shot is wide and high.
In 29' Rosado returns the favour with a defence splitting pass to Calleja, but the winger's touch is poor and the ball trickles over for a goal kick.
In 30' Calleja wins another corner as Malaga maintain the pressure on the Murcia goal. Calleja elects to send in an inswinger which dips just under the bar at the near post. Juanmi has to be quick to get up and punch clear.
In 35' Murcia have the best chance of the game so far. Breaking out of defence, Abel tries another long ranger from 30 yards. Goitia is clueless as to where the shot is going but fortunately for him the ball comes off the knee of his trailing leg and ends up on the roof of the net.
From the corner on Malaga's right, the ball is floated to the far post where RICHI is standing unattended. He nods home from three yards to put the visitors ahead.
Malaga 0 Murcia 1
It is a goal which was against the run of play and wasn't seen coming, so the crowd are stunned by this reverse. This was not in the script at all.
Malaga continue to press their opponents' goal and force a number of corners, but the Murcia team seem to have relaxed after their goal and each time the danger is cleared without panic.
In 42' the dangerous Abel pops up again to try yet another long range effort. These shots though are all on target and force Goitia to make a save, this time at full stretch along his goal-line.
In 43' at the other end, Jesus Gamez takes a long throw 10 yards off the goal line. He finds Calleja's head and the winger's effort requires a fine save from Juanmi to keep Malaga out.
Half time Malaga 0 Murcia 1
At half time, Muniz decides to change his team, bringing on Jonaton Valle for Ivan Rosado. We remember the last time Valle appeared like this - he was sent off within 30 minutes of coming on!
He makes an immediate impact, receiving a kick in the face in the Murcia penalty box. But he receives no sympathy from the referee.
In 52' the lanky Noel-Williams makes a run, going past two defenders before shooting wide. But it shows that Murcia can still be a threat on the counter.
In 53' Chengue Morales makes his now customary second half appearance, coming on for full back Valcarce. Calleja drops back to left back, with Jonaton Valle front left and Chengue front right in the 4-3-3 formation.
In 54' Murcia goalscorer Richi is booked for tugging Hidalgo's shirt. Hidalgo takes the free kick himself and aims for 8'3" striker Chengue in the box. Juanmi comes out and the two crash to the ground. The goalkeeper is injured and requires 4' of treatment, to the whistles and jeers from the crowd. Eventually he gets to his feet but he cannot continue and substitute keeper Lledo comes on.
Lledo's first action is take the free kick conceded by Chengue. He sends the ball long into Malaga's half to find Noel-Williams. The big striker seems to cause some confusion in the penalty box and appears to push Armando out of the way before passing wide to his left. Jofre is there in support and sends in a return pass which NOEL-WILLIAMS takes and makes no mistake prodding home from six yards.
Malaga 0 Murcia 2
The long treatment time for Murcia's goalkeeper has taken its toll on Malaga's concentration and they have allowed Murcia a two goal advantage they scarcely deserved. This a mountain now for Malaga to climb and the looks of despair around the ground tell their own story.
Nevertheless, Malaga still have plenty of time to get back into this game. In 63' Sandro puts a neat ball through the middle for Chengue but Lledo is out quick to pick up the ball at the striker's feet.
In 64' Muniz makes another change, bringing on Serb U-21 International Stosic for Sandro. The formation also changes
To 3-4-3, with Gascon dropping in between Armando and Jesule at the back, Jesus Gamez and Calleja on the wings with Hidalgo and Stosic in the middle supporting the front three of Chengue, Counago and Jonaton Valle. A completely different team and set up from his starting eleven and a far more attacking line-up.
The impact of the changes can be seen in the next minute when Counago runs down the right wing and cuts back to Stosic who has found space at the edge of the penalty box. However, he snatches at the ball and it goes well over the bar.
In 66' Abel tries another belter from 30 yards, but this time his effort is wide.
In 73' Hidalgo sprays a pass out to Calleja in some space down the left wing. Unchallenged he runs to the edge of the penalty box and sends in a crashing drive across the goal. Lledo might have got to it except that COUNAGO got his head in the way to deflect the ball into the net. GOOOOAAAALLLL!!!! There is a chance for Malaga after all. Can they comeback yet again after being behind and get the result they crave?
Malaga 1 Murcia 2
It is all Malaga now as they try to get an equaliser. Some enterprising play between Valle and Counago ends with a fine cross from Stosic to Jesus Gamez, but the full back's header flies over the bar.
In 79' Jofre is replaced by Pedro Leon.
The next minute Calleja finds Chengue's head, but his effort is wide.
In 82' Chengue is put through again with another defence splitter from Hidalgo, but the standside linesman's flag is up.
Murcia's man of the match Abel is replaced by Ivan.
In 83' Valle puts through Chengue again. He coolly controls the ball and slots it past Lledo into the net. We think it’s great finish and we're all up jumping about in joy and relief. But the linesman's flag is up again and the "goal" is disallowed.
The game has gone up a gear as Malaga's relentless pressure is starting to tell on the Murcia defenders, who start to bodycheck and block Malaga's strike force in a series of cynical fouls. Acciari and Pablo Ruiz both find themselves in the referee's notebook.
With the 90 minutes over we look anxiously at the fourth official's board - it's 9 minutes added on!!!
However, despite Malaga's best efforts they are continually pulled up for offside, much to the derision of the crowd who let their feelings known loudly.
Malaga still have to watch Murcia on the break and Goitia has to come to Malaga's rescue once again in 95' when captain Juanma breaks into the box and sends a crashing drive goalbound.
In 96' Goitia kicks out from his box into Murcia's half. He finds Chengue, but again he is deemed offside.
In 97' Noel-Williams breaks free from midfield and lopes into the Malaga penalty area unattended. His powerful shot needs yet another fine save from Goitia.
In 100' Armando clears from his own half into the crowded Murcia penalty box. It's bagatelle in there with the ball getting struck goalwards relentlessly like a pinball machine.
The referee ends the play and blows for full time.
Full time Malaga 1 Murcia 2
It's a bad defeat to take, especially in the circumstances. Malaga are still six points clear of Castilla with now three games to go and Castilla must travel to Murcia in their next game. It's an agonising finish to the season, with Malaga still needing some more points to ensure safety. Next Sunday Malaga are away to another promoted team, Andalucian rivals Almería for another tough match. The following week will be Malaga's last home game of the season against Cadiz. Never fear, Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there!
League Table: http://www.as.com/futbol/segunda/clasificacion/
More Malaga information and gossip in English: http://malagafootballenglish.com/