Match Reports

Malaga entered this away leg 0-3 down from the first leg and with promotion their key ambition for this season, elected to field a team of squad members, resting the first team squad for Sunday’s league game with Castellon at La Rosaleda.

Malaga (4-1-4-1): Gotia; Molinero, Armando, Lobato and Jose Mari; Hidalgo; Perico, Francis, Ristic and Ernesto; Counago.

Real Zaragoza began dominating Malaga and were rewarded with a first minute opportunity with a header going just over from Brazilian Ewerthon, but it was Malaga who took the lead in the 13th minute when RISTIC bundled the ball over the line in a crowded goalmouth.

Zaragoza maintained dominance of the game but they were ineffective in the final third in which they could not beat the Malaga defenders and Goitia did not have to make a save until the last minute.

A problem for Malaga arrived in the last minute of the first half in which Counago had to come off injured. He was replaced by Popo but this also obliged the Malaga bench to also make a second substitution, with Manu coming on for Lobato, as they were not be able to have five Malaga B players on the field.

Neither Malaga nor Zaragoza could find their way past the opposing defences and the game finished 0-1. However, as Zaragoza had won the first leg convincingly 3-0 at La Rosaleda last Wednesday, it is they who progress into the quarter finals of the Cup.

So, it’s back to league business on Sunday this weekend. However the performances of some of these young players must be giving Muniz some headaches as Zaragoza as currently lying fourth in the First Division and fielded a very strong side. Three points on Sunday are this weekend’s target. Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 6:27 PM | Permalink

On Wednesday 10 January 2007, Malaga played the first leg of the last 16 tie in the Copa del Rey (equivalent to the Spanish FA Cup) against First Division side Real Zaragoza.
Real Zaragoza are Spain's in form side just now having defeated league leaders Sevilla at the weekend and are in fourth (and Champion's League) position. They will play Real Madrid this coming weekend and my money is on the team who play in old Berwick Rangers' strips.
The visitors played a very experienced first team squad against Malaga, clearly intending to make the return leg next Wednesday a formality. Malaga on the other hand played a team with a number of squad players, resting several regulars with one eye on Sunday's derby match away to Cadiz and league points more the focus.
Malaga (4-1-4-1): Gotia; Jesus Gamez, Silva, Jesule and Valcarce (c); Romero; Ristic, Hidalgo, Sandro and Ernesto; Chengue Morales.
First let me tell you the score: Malaga 0 Real Zaragoza 3. The Costa del Sol team were completely outclassed and outplayed and 0-3 was a tribute to Gotia, in Malaga's goal, keeping the score down. In truth, only Gotia, Jesule and left winger Ernesto emerged from the game with any credit.
Valcarce looks past his best, Silva looked lost at centre back and performed only slightly better when moved forward to the defensive midfielder role in the second half when the completely ineffectual Romero was substituted. Ristic has had to wait 6 months to get a game since joining in the summer and after this performance will wait another six months if indeed he gets another game at all. Hidlago and Sandro could not pass to anybody except in a Zaragoza shirt and Chengue Morales has surely played his last game in a Malaga shirt. When he was substituted at the beginning of the second half, he was physically pushed off the field by team-mate Silva, which shows what his colleagues think of him.
So a disappointing display, with no fight, no enthusiasm or desire on the part of most of the home team players. As a result, the game was no more than a training match for Zaragoza who must be one of the favourites for both the Cup and even La Liga this season.
My Man of the Match? The Real Zaragoza goalkeeper. He wore pink shorts and black tights and never got them dirty all night.
On Sunday it's back to league business, with a tricky away game at Cadiz. Never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there!

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 11:39 AM | Permalink

What a week for weather! It started with hot sunny days with fresh strawberries and cava out on the poolside and finished with torrential rain and thunderstorms. Geoff and my three year old record of attending Malaga matches without requiring a raincoat or brolly was under severe examination this weekend! The result - a five minute shower in the first half was all we had during the game, although the pitch was a little more "greasy" than it normally gets.

Last week Malaga were away in Sevilla against Real Betis and came back with a 1-1 draw (Hidalgo scoring from close range) and this weekend they face a Zaragoza team which beat Barcelona 6-0 in the Spanish Cup semis and so will meet Espanyol in the final. In the close season they lost David Villa to Valencia but replaced him with Diego Milito from Argentina and with 13 goals so far this season, the new man is second only to Barcelona's Eto'o as top scorer in La Liga.
Zaragoza (4-4-2): Cesar; Ponzio, Toledo, Cuartero and Aranzabal; Oscar, Celedes, Zapatar and Cani; Ewerthon and Milito.

Malaga made several changes to the team which did so well against Valencia in their last home game for the trip to Betis and again this week saw some surprises. There was no place in the team for regular right back Gerardo, who had to be content with a place on the bench, nor Edgar, who was even missing from the bench. Manu, who has not started a game all season, got a start this week. Morales, the giant Uruguayan striker who started last week drops to the bench and Duda, who came on as a sub last week, started this week. Even goalscorer Hidalgo had to be content to sit on the bench this week, as the hard work on the training ground this past week, must have influenced manager Hierro. However, sitting in the stand, I'm thinking that we should be seeing a settled formation by now so that the players can start to play more as a team, rather than a bunch of individuals wearing the same shirts.
Malaga (4-4-2): Arnau; Jesus Gamez, Alexis, Fernando Sanz and Nacho; Manu, Juan Rodriguez, Bovio and Duda; Salva and Counago.

It's a 19:00h kick-off, 17C, with a rain-threatening heavy atmosphere. The crowd was a little less than normal (because of the weather?) but there was still a good feeling in the ground that Zaragoza could be beaten and Malaga could start their climb out of the relegation zone. There are 10 games left to play and Malaga have 22 points, but the pundits reckon that 30 points is all that is necessary to secure another year in the top league, especially if Malaga can beat their rivals Real Sociedad, Racing Santander and Cadiz. So the pundits think that winning these three games will be enough and any points gained from their other remaining matches, which include today's visitors Zaragoza, Getafe, Osasuna, Villarreal, Sevilla, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Deportivo will be icing on the cake! We shall see!

Malaga kick off towards the Gol end and immediately force Zaragoza on the back foot, with Manu racing down the right wing and finding Duda in the box. But the little Portuguese winger should have headed the ball rather than try to bring it down with his feet and the defence recovered to clear.
In 3' Salva had a great chance in the penalty box but slipped in the wet conditions as he tried to connect to pass from Bovio.
In 4' the first corner of the game is awarded to Zaragoza. Cani's kick is punched away confidently by Arnau. Juan Rodriguez picks up the ball and sends Duda on a chase into the Zaragoza half, forcing Cesar to come off his line and out of his penalty box to head the danger away.
In 7' Bovio finds Counago running into the inside left channel. The striker manages to get a good cross in from the byline and it falls to Duda, who goes down in the box after a tackle from Toledo. No penalty.
The following minute Malaga keep up the pressure when Salva is brought down by Cuartero just outside the box. Both Duda and Bovio line up to take the free kick, but it's Duda's effort which comes back off the wall.
It's all Malaga and another fine run by Counago down the left wing is completed with an inch perfect pass to Duda, but the Zaragoza defenders clear the danger.
In 11' the first real save of the game comes from Cesar when Jesus Gamez, overlapping down the right wing, sends in a curling cross-cum-shot which very nearly crept in just under the bar. Cesar just got a fist to the ball and punches the ball clear.
In 14' Salva intercepts a pass in the centre circle and runs towards the goal. He is brought down from behind (normally a booking offence, but not this time). Duda takes the free kick and hits the wall.
Zaragoza have weathered this early storm and their defence looks strong and capable.
We have to wait until the 25th minute to see a shot from Zaragoza. The Brazilian Ewerthon takes a pot shot from 25 yards across the goalmouth from a wide position, but his shot is off target.
In 29' Manu dribbles his way past two defenders to the edge of the box. His shot has power but is rising and just skims over the bar. That would have been some goal.
In 32' Fernando Sanz becomes the first booking of the game for a foul on Celedes from behind. Oscar takes the resultant free kick which Arnau has to tip over the bar. Cani's corner is cleared by the very efficient Alexis.
In 36' Toledo clashes with Salva. It's a head knock and he has to go off for treatment. The physio applies a jar of vaseline and the defender tries to return, but the ref says "No, I want that head of yours bandaged". It is lucky that we have medically competent referees in the game. Toledo returns to the game in the 43rd minute, suitably bandaged. Malaga were unable to take advantage of these seven minutes.
Half-time Malaga 0 Zaragoza 0
Malaga have started a new thing where you can send them a text message on your mobile and they will display it on the giant scoreboard. However, the few Zaragoza fans have got wind of this first and start putting predicted scorelines up on the board in their team's favour, which momentarily confuses the Malaga fans during the half time interval.
Zaragoza make a substitution at half time. Celedes comes off and ex-Malaga midfielder Movilla comes on to welcoming applause from the Malaga crowd.
Malaga almost go ahead in the first minute after the resumption. The ever willing Counago makes a run down the right and forces Aranzabal to concede a corner. The ball is semi-cleared only to Manu who puts the ball back across the six yard line. Counago's header, though, is easily mopped up by Cesar.
In 50' Bovio splits the defence with a great ball for Counago. The quick striker is past the defenders but is brought down from behind in the box. A penalty and a red card, surely? Nada.
In 51' Manu, who's had a good game forces another corner on the right. Duda's corner kick is cleared but only to Bovio, who finds Manu in space. The winger tries a shot but it goes just past with Cesar watching hopefully.
In 54' Counago turns Toledo to crate space for a shot from 18 yards but it's just wide.
In 55', three things happen
Jesus Gamez appears down the right wing and tries another of those cross-cum-shots. It again is falling just below the bar and again Cesar makes a fine save by finding a finger to touch the ball over.
Manu is replaced by Hidalgo
Toledo is booked for a foul on Duda.
Zaragoza cannot get out of their half during this second period as Malaga continue to press, make chances and try to get the goal that would give them three precious points.
In 60' Salva receives another fine pass from Bovio, who looks in command the centre of midfield. The ball somehow gets under the big striker's feet and the Zaragoza defenders get the time they need to make the intervention and clear.
Zaragoza resort to offside tactics and the eager Malaga forwards are caught out three or four times in the next five minutes, much to the frustration of the strikers and crowd alike.
Zaragoza seemed to have settled for a draw and are quite content to allow Malaga possession and use the offside trap and kicking the ball out of play, whilst Malaga seem to be thinking that they have at least the draw and with a bit of luck and good fortune, may get the goal their play and possession deserve.
In 64' the impressive Cani is replaced by Savio.
In 66' the unimpressive Milito is replaced by Sergio Garcia.
In 75' Oscar is booked for a foul on Nacho. Counago is replaced by Morales.
In 77' Jesus Gamez, who has become more of a right winger than a full back since Manu was taken off, wins a throw at the corner flag. He throws it to Bovio and the Brazilian takes a swing towards goal, but it's inches over.
In 78' Salva forces a corner on the left out of nothing. Hidalgo takes it and his inswinger has to be punched clear from under the bar by Cesar.
In 84' Duda is replaced by Gabriel.
The midfield, Hidalgo and Bovio in particular continue to provide openings in the defence for the strikers to exploit but the linesman's flag seems to be continually up for offside.
The 90 minutes are up and both teams seem now certain that the game will finish as a draw. Four minutes are added on for stoppages.
In 93' Sergio Garcia chases a lost ball into the box. Arnau comes out to gather comfortably, but the Zaragoza striker collides with the goalkeeper and both go down. For a moment there is some confusion as Sergio Garcia lies prone in the box, seeking a penalty, I think. Arnau has only one thought - get the ball quickly to the other end and rushes out to the edge of the box to loft it into the night air. But no. The referee says it's a free kick and Arnau must go back to the goal box to take the kick. Well, all the defenders and attackers alike, except for Sergio Garcia, have moved up to the half way line awaiting Arnau's kick. The goalkeeper has to run back from the 18 yard line to the six yard line to place the ball for the free kick. He takes it hurriedly, aiming for Alexis. But his kick is woefully weak and the now on-his-feet Sergio Garcia intercepts the ball and puts it square across the penalty box to where Ewerthon has been awake enough to see what had happened and run onto the ball to slip it into the empty net.
Malaga 0 Zaragoza 1
There was no restart and that bizarre goal was the last act of the match. Stunned? Stunned is not strong enough. Travesty? Definitely. Does this mean the end for Malaga in La Liga this season? Very probably. What a disaster!
The other teams just above Malaga, Alaves, Betis, Mallorca, Cadiz all managed to get a point at the weekend, opening the gap up between Our Boys and themselves, so everything has worked against them again.
This week the league have a full schedule of midweek games and on Wednesday, Malaga are away to Deportivo La Coruna. Next Saturday, Malaga are at home again, to runaway leaders Barcelona. Malaga must take points from some of these games, no matter who they are playing. Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 6:38 PM | Permalink

Hello Fellow Malaga Fans around the world.
Yes it's a new season and on Sunday 12 September, we saw Malaga's first home game of the new season (having suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Atletico de Madrid in the opener). It's all new - new season, new manager, Gregorio Manzano (ex-Atletico Madrid, so a quick return to his former haunt in the first game), new players, new stand open at La Roseleda and new seats for Geoff and me, still at the Fondo end, but to the right of the goal and a bit closer to the action. So all full of anticipation and excitement we made our way to our seats. We were joined by Geoff's daughter, Zoe, across here on holiday at the moment and keen to compare Spanish football with the fare served up at White Hart Lane, where she works on match days for Tottenham Hotspur.
Manzano had come with a bit of a reputation, particularly in his days at Real Mallorca, and he has stated that it his ambition this season to get Malaga into a UEFA Cup slot, which was narrowly missed out on last year. In the close season, Malaga have lost leading goalscorer Salva (to Valencia), fellow strikers Diego Alonso (to Pumas in Mexico) and Canabal (did not renew contract) and from the defence, Josemi as transferred to Liverpool for £5m. Drafted in are a few younger players recruited from last season's successful Malaga B team, who play in the Second Division, namely centre back Juanito, hot prospect teenager right full back/winger Alexis, and strikers Juan Rodriguez and Swiss international Alex Giejo, topscorer last season. Two other strikers have been resourced, Amoroso, a Brazilian international, signed on a "Bosman" from Borussia Dortmund and Paulo Wanchope, the Costa Rican international, signed from Manchester City for £500k. Both these latter two players have only been with the squad for a matter of a week or two and Manzano has had them in for double training sessions to get their fitness levels up. This was necessary particularly for Wanchope (El Chope, as he is known back in Costa Rica) who missed most of last season with a knee injury and received surgery in the USA. Hopefully he has fully recovered and will play a leading role in Malaga's fortunes this season. Neither new signing started in the previous game, although Amoroso did come on as a sub late in the game. So home debuts for both were another reason to look forward to this game.
Teams: Malaga (4-4-1-1): Calatayud, Alexis, Fernando Sanz, Juanito, Valcarce, Gerardo, Michel Angel, Romero, Duda, Amoroso and Wanchope.
Real Zaragoza: (4-4-1-1): Lainez, Cuartero, Alvaro, Milto, Aranzabal, Gelleti, Movilla, Zapatar, Savio, Javi Moreno, David Villa.

The visitors, winners of the Spanish Cup last season and in the UEFA Cup this season, are the first leaders of La Liga after the first match and their centre back, Alvaro, tops the goalscoring charts with 2 goals. Nonetheless, Malaga should and must expect to take all three points against this team at home. Teams like Zaragoza (pronounced tharagotha) play deep in defence, all eleven behind the ball and look for goals on the counter through speedy forwards, particularly David Villa. In Cesar Lainez, Zaragoza have one of the best young goalkeepers in Spain and tipped to be a future international, so as Malaga fans, we knew we would have to be patient and hope that our new strikers could make devastating impact on their defence.
We had to wait until the 6th minute for the first goalmouth incident. Duda took a free kick out on the left, which Wanchope latched onto, only to see Lainez palm the ball away to safety. As early as the 16th minute we had our first booking of the game when Gelliti brought down Duda illegally in the centre circle. We did not know it then, but this was to become a feature of a desperately disappointing spectacle as the play got bogged down in the midfield and the referee seemed to be constantly disrupting the flow of play with every tackle seemingly a foul. And so Miguel Angel became the next in the book, on 21 minutes for a tackle on the centre line. In 28 minutes, the first attempt on goal from the visitor. Good interpassing down their left ended with a shot on target from David Villa but Calatayud saved comfortably enough. A promising move from Malaga on 34 minutes finishes with slick pass from Amoroso to Duda, who's felled in the "D" by Cuartero, who becomes the next name in the book. Up to this point, Wanchope, who must be 8 feet three, with most of that leg, had been showing plenty of movement up front, in a casual laconic loping sort of way and Amoroso always seemed to find space to accept a pass and do something with it in a crowded defence. It was not Duda who took the resultant free kick but Amoroso and there was the sense of something special about to happen when a Brazilian lines up a free kick just outside the box, but his kick was poor and came back off the wall.
On 40, Duda had a fine effort which Lainez double fisted away for a corner. Three minutes later, Fernando Sanz became the third name in the book for a tackle from behind in the centre circle. Then right on half time Malaga came closest to scoring when there was an almighty scramble in a crowded penalty box after a corner on the left with the ball bouncing around like in bagatelle. It finally fell to Juanito whose shot was saved by Lainez.
Half time 0-0
The second half was no better than the first and following the pattern, Amoroso was booked in the 59th minute for diving after being poleaxed by Aranzabal just outside the box. On 66 the first substitution for Malaga brought Portuguese-Angolan Edgar on for Gerardo as a straight replacement on the right wing. In the moments directly after as Malaga were adjusting to the change, Zaragoza had a chance but Calatayud saved the shot and Romero booted the ball into the stand for safety. On 71, Edgar's pace took him past defenders down the right and he pulled back an excellent cross from the touchline, but Michel Angel's header was held by Lainez. Both Amoroso and Wanchope has faded from the game at this point so it was no surprise when Wanchope left the field on 73 and Giejo entered the fray to a rousing roar from the crowd. Malaga changed format slightly with Amoroso playing up with his new team mate as Malaga looked for the goal which would win this game. On 82, already booked Michel Angel was involved in altercation with Milto and was immediately substituted by Manzano, who brought on Leko, recently returned from international duty with Croatia. The bookings continued in this scrappy game when Alexis caught Savio's heels on the centre line.
Full time 0-0
The next few matches are against teams which Malaga must take points from (Mallorca, Numancia, Espanyol and Osasuna), before they play the big guns in successive weeks after that (Deportivo, Real Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona). For the home games anyway, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Posted by hodgers at 11:35 AM | Permalink