Match Reports

In midweek, Malaga travelled north to play Villarreal, but lost again 2-1 (Gerardo scoring from a very rare penalty). This meant that Malaga have won only once in 24 matches, their worst ever record since their inception.

This weekend's opponents, Sevilla, were rated 12th in the world by FIFA this week and will be contesting the UEFA Cup Final against Middlesbrough in Eindhoven this Wednesday. They are currently lying in sixth position in the table, occupying the second UEFA Cup slot, and need a win to maintain their position. Ironically, their manager is Juande Ramos, who steered Malaga to tenth position in La Liga just two seasons ago, and had us all dreaming of European nights ourselves. So another tough match as Malaga play their last home match, after seven years in the Liga de Estrellas, before the descent into La Segunda.
Sevilla rest several of their stars, including the Argentine striker Saviola with Wednesday's game in mind. But it is still a strong line-up.
Sevilla (4-2-3-1): Palop; Crespo, Ocio, Escude and Jesuli; Jordi and Puerta; Renato, Sales and Jesus Navas; Kepa.

Malaga drop Duda against the team he will be joining next season, but there is a return for Juan Rodriguez (out of contract in June and rumoured to be going to Deportivo). Also out is Nacho and Portuguese left back Ribiero (brother to Chelsea's Maniche) gets a chance to show his worth. Also astonishingly, Antonio Lopez is given the left wing berth, even though he is on loan from Sevilla and will be returning at the end of this season. However, the real big shock is the formation, with only Salva up front and Counago on the bench.
Malaga (4-2-3-1): Arnau; Gabriel, Alexis, Fernando Sanz and Ribiero; Juan Rodriguez and Gerardo; Manu, Bovio and Antonio Lopez; Salva.

La Roseleda is only half full and it assuredly has an end of season feel. It's an 8 o' clock kick off on a Saturday night and there is a bit of a stooshie from minute one as Sevilla come out of the tunnel on their own. They are called back so that both teams can emerge together.
In 2' Gabriel is brought down on the right touchline. Lopez takes it quickly but Salva's shot is stopped by Palop on the line.
In 7' Gerardo handballs. Jordi takes the kick from 30 yards but it's put behind by Fernando Sanz.
In 10' Lopez sends a ball down the middle for Salva to chase. Palop races off his line to reach the ball outside his penalty box and blast it into Row Z.
In 18' Jesus Navas, who looks dangerous on the ball, breaks clear and shoots just wide of the far post. The referee gives a corner!? Arnau rises above the crowd in the box to punch the ball clear but it lands at Renato's feet and his powerful volley from fully 35 yards screams into the net.

Malaga 0 Sevilla 1

Undaunted Malaga kick off and Gabriel and Manu combine well down the right wing, with Gabriel's cross headed behind for a corner. Lopez takes an inswinger but Juan Rodriguez's header is straight at Palop.
It's end to end stuff and next to show is Jesus Navas whose shot from long range is straight at Arnau.
Then Fernando Sales tries to chip Arnau, but the keeper manages to tip the ball over from just under the bar. Jesuli takes the corner but it's too strong and flies out on the far side for a throw.
In 32' Bovio is in full charge at the goal; as he enters the box Palop advances towards him. Bovio tries to chip the ball over Palop's head but it goes just over the bar.
The next minute, Puerta tries a cheeky shot from an acute angle on the Malaga goal line, but Arnau is alert and saves at his near post.
In 36' Sevilla threaten again; this time a deep cross from Renato finds Kepa's head but again Arnau brings off a fine save to tip the ball over for a corner. Jesuli's corner falls to Ocio but the giant centre back blasts over from 5 yards.
It's all Sevilla as they look to kill off the game. First Renato tries a repeat of his goal but this time the ball flies over. Then the next minute, he finds Jesus Navas who tries a shot on the half volley which whistles just past.
In 42' Bovio lines up behind the ball to take a free kick from 30 yards after Salva is brought down. We wait in anticipation to see what the Brazilian can do. Well, he blasts it into the box but the ball is deflected in the crowded area and goes to safety.
In 43' Ribiero sends in a cross which is just too high for Salva. Then he has another chance and this time his cross finds Juan Rodriguez but Palop comes out and takes the ball off the midfielder's head.
Then in 44' Palop rushes outside his box again to kick the ball into touch to deny Manu on the right wing.

Half time Malaga 0 Sevilla 1

Malaga make two changes at half time. Gerardo and Manu go off and Counago and Malaga B winger, Saul, come on as Malaga revert to a 4-4-2 formation.
In the first minute, Malaga have two chances to score, from Salva and Alexis but they are both off target.
In 48' the first booking of the game as Juan Rodriguez is booked for a foul on Jesus Navas.
In 50' Sevilla win a corner on the right which Jesus Navas takes and Kepo nods the ball wide.
Then the police, in full riot gear with helmets, shields and truncheons raised, clear the stand behind the Sevilla goal. This is where the "Frente Bokerons" sit, complete with flares, loudspeakers, banners and drums, so it must have been something they said!
In 54' Counago goes on a run across the box before shooting straight at Palop.
In 57' Salva latches onto a cross from Ribiero, goes past Ocio and slips the ball wide right to Saul. The little winger's cross is met by Counago and Palop has to make a fine save to stop the equaliser going in.
In 58' Jesuli goes off and is replaced by Alfaro.
In 60' Fernando Sanz brings down Kepo just outside the box. Ocio takes the kick but it whizzes over.
In 63' Bovio wins a corner and he takes the kick himself. Alexis rises to head the ball just over.
In 65' Ribiero sends a powerful cross into the box. Salva is there but Palop gets there first. But he cannot hold it and it falls to Salva. Before the striker can get his foot raised to shoot the referee blows for a free kick!?
In 70' striker Freddie Kanoute (ex Spurs) comes on for Jesus Navas as Sevilla go 4-4-2.
In 72' Counago runs at the defence and into the box. He slips it left to Bovio but the Brazilian hits the side netting.
In 73' Sales hits a powerful shot from 25 yards into a crowded box. It comes back off the post almost back to where the midfielder is standing.
In 76' Bovio is substituted (to a standing ovation) and Hidalgo comes on.
In 77' Counago runs into the box. Ocio chases and brings him down from behind. No penalty!?
In 81' Hidalgo wins a corner on the right. He takes it himself and sends in an inswinger. The ball bounces off Sales standing at the near post and Palop collects.
In 84' Renato goes off and is replaced by Marti (a full back).
It's 90' and Barry makes the comment that Malaga usually concede a goal about this time. Sure enough, Malaga win a corner and Alexis, who hitherto has been stationed in the centre circle for such events to mop up any clearances and stymie any counter attack, decides to come forward for the corner. Hidalgo's kick is collected by Palop who quickly launches the ball into Malaga's half. Sales is on his own, with the entire Malaga team except for Arnau in the Sevilla box. Sales still has a bit to do but still makes no mistake as he goes one on one with Arnau.

Full Time Malaga 0 Sevilla 2

So yet another defeat for Malaga. Already they are looking towards next season and fully expect to lose Duda and Juan Rodriguez who are out of contract and possibly Gerardo too, who is in a similar position. In addition, there are a number of clubs interested in Alexis, Bovio and Gabriel, and the money from the transfers could be very useful as Malaga make the attempt to bounce straight back with promotion next year.
There will be changes to the team and the management team as the club gets ready for the new challenge of La Segunda. They still have one game to play, next Sunday away to Cadiz. I won't be there as I'm off to Milan for a we holiday.
Still next season? Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there!

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 7:22 PM | Permalink

No, I did not go through to Sevilla to watch the last game of the season, but I did watch the highlights on TV last night so I can tell you briefly what happened. (Briefly? I hear you say!)
A small aside - at least I was able to watch the highlights on television, which is more than I could do for the Scottish Cup Final on Saturday, as Scottish football has got its Football-on-TV knickers in a twist and can show neither the live game nor its highlights on satellite TV. I had to put up with Alistair Alexander and the obnoxious Chick Young on Radio Scotland to listen to the game. How much longer must we endure this pompous little man, who "I can exclusively reveal" is the most-hated of any of the TV pundits ever.
Malaga, with two glorious wins on the trot and finishing the season strongly and in a comfortable midtable slot, had nothing to lose but pride against local rivals Sevilla. Sevilla, on the other hand, had everything to play for. Lying in fourth position, all they had to do to ensure they retained that coveted Champions League slot was draw or preferably win against their less accomplished rivals. Just to put more of an edge on it - they also very much wanted to put one over their fiercest city rivals, Real Betis, who were in with a chance of taking the Champions League spot from Sevilla if the results went their way.
Malaga played their normal line-up: (4-2-3-1): Arnau; Gerardo, Cesar, Fernando Sanz and Valcarce; Romero and Juanito; Michel, Miguel Angel and Duda; Baiano. Michel in for Juan Rodriguiez, recovering from an injury sustained against Barcelona.
From the TV highlights, Sevilla threw everything at Malaga during the first half and the visitors were reduced to desperate defending, including last ditch tackles, hoofing the ball into touch and relying on Arnau's elbows, knees, outstretched feet, diving saves and bravery - throwing his body all over the place and smothering the ball with onrushing strikers with the calibre of Oliviera, Antonito and Baptisto to contend with. Some of the shots were wide as well and you could feel the crowd wishing the ball into the net and loudly groaning at every save or miss.
Malaga did not appear as an attacking force until the second half and it was Duda who was brought down 30 yards out when clear of most of the Sevilla team, who were camped in Malaga's half. Now, as you all must know by now, Duda takes all Malaga's free kicks and invariably there is little threat from them. He must have at least three good scoring chances per game from set pieces and all too rarely does anything come from them. So here we were, in the 38th and final game of the season, getting a pasting from our Andalucian rivals and the bold DUDA steps up to take the free kick he has just won for himself. He goes for goal and strikes a shot which swerves around the wall, hits the upper third of the post and goes in, past the flapping arms of the goalkeeper, who, to be fair, may well have got the ball, had it not gone in off the post.
Sevilla 0 Malaga 1
Sevilla try and try to get back into the game and Arnau's body bits have to work overtime to keep the ball out. Miguel Angel and Duda are substituted by Juan Rodrigriuez and Iznate respectively and it is the latter who skips past three players down the left wing in the 93rd minute to send in a perfect square pass into the box, right across the penalty mark. The Sevilla defence is at full pelt running back and both Michel and BAIANO are trying to run onto the pass. It is too quick for the former, but the Brazilian's timing is perfect and he smashes the ball past the keeper to complete Sevilla's misery.
Full time: Sevilla 0 Malaga 2

Malaga finish a very credible 10th in the league, above, for example, Atletico Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna.
Betis are away to Mallorca. Mallorca must get at least a point to ensure a dramatic escape from relegation, as they have occupied one of the bottom three relegation slots for most of the season. Result Mallorca 1 Betis 1 which means that Betis leap over Sevilla in fourth to join Barcelona, Real Madrid and Villarreal in the Champions League next season. Sevilla and Espanyol will contest the UEFA Cup. The joy on the Betis players faces was palpable and the rejoicing in Sevilla's streets late into the night was in all the TV news reports this morning. You can imagine the despondency of the Sevilla players - something akin to Celtic's loss last week to Motherwell, except Sevilla expect to retain most of the players and their manager for next season and have something to build on rather than starting all over again.
Levante and Numancia drop down after only one season up. They are joined by Albacete, whose losing streak continued and they drop after only two seasons in the top league.
Malaga? Could they have been challenging for European spots if Tapia had been appointed in August instead of Manzano - we will never know. And what about Brazilian sensation Baiano - who scored 10 goals in 15 games since joining at the end of January? Well he was on loan from a Brazilian side until the end of the season with an option to buy for 3 million euros (a bargain). However, there seems to be a complication with a Uruguayan side actually holding his FIFA registration, so we will just have to wait and see what happens.
Whatever - when the new season starts next September - your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 2:16 PM | Permalink

A New Year, three weeks holiday from football, Malaga falling into the relegation zone after last week's 2-1 defeat away to Racing Santander, with Malaga's goal scored in the 85th minute by Cesar Nevas at a corner, resulting in the resignation from Manager Manzano. A "new" manager, Antonio Tapia, promoted from Malaga B and given to end of the season to prove himself. A new manager appointed for Malaga B, former Spain international, Jose Maria Bakero, also until the end of the season. A new signing for Malaga in the January window, Michel, from Real Murcia, an experienced midfielder, with a flair for attacking and scoring. Whew!
The media reported that under new coach Tapia, Malaga were undergoing double training sessions, which were "meticulous" in detail. It was announced midweek that Tapia would take over from Manzano and coming from Malaga B, he was already well acquainted with the team and most of the members of the squad have graduated from his B team over the past few years.
His first game, a game against fierce local Andalucian rivals Sevilla, who are still in the UEFA Cup and performing well in La Liga, going into tonight's game occupying 5th place, whereas Malaga rest in 18th place. However, it was an interesting team selection from Tapia, with Arnau making his first appearance in goal after Calatayud had held the berth for 18 consecutive matches. Also, there was no start for top-scorer Wanchope, nor new boy Michel. Usual suspect Miguel Angel was suspended and Romero injured, so there was a potential problem in midfield. Not for Tapia - Juanito, who has been playing as a centre back in partnership with Fernando Sanz all season, found himself in midfield alongside Leko, with the giant Cesar Nevas in defence. Also, there was a return for out of form left winger Duda and Gerardo came back after suspension, in 4-5-1 set up, with Amoroso up front on his own, but supported by the willing Edgar and Juan Rodriguez, when Malaga were on the offensive.
Malaga (4-5-1): Arnau, Gerardo, Cesar Nevas, Fernando Sanz, Valcarce, Edgar, Juanito, Juan Rodriguez, Leko and Duda, Amoroso.
On the bench were Calatayud, Wanchope, Luque, Giejo, Paco Estaban and Usero - the latter three all taken from Malaga B this season, with Cesar Nevas, Juanito and Juan Rodriguez making it six from the 17 squad members drawn from Tapia's former charges.
Sevilla came to La Roseleda having won only two of their nine away games so far, the last notably just before Christmas when they beat Real Madrid and sounded the death-knell for Comacho as the Blanco's manager. However, in Brazilian Baptista, they have a prolific scorer and perhaps this was why Tapia fielded three centre-halfs. Sevilla adopt a 4-2-3-1 system, which is more attack minded that the usual eleven men behind the ball and counterattack-at-pace approach, so common in Spanish football, but very successful for Valencia last season (and Chelsea this season).
Sevilla (4-2-3-1): Estaban, Ramos, Navarro, Aitor Ocio, David, Alves, Marti, Renato, Jesuli, Baptisto and Aranda. There was no place for strikers Carlitos, Antonito or former Malaga favourite Dario Silva, showing the depth of talent in this squad.

It was a full house, with a sizable showing from Sevilla in the away crowd section, a bit surprising as it was a 10 pm kick-off and Sevilla is a good two hour plus drive. It was a mild 15C at kick-off, which Sevilla took, kicking towards the Fondo end.
There is a great atmosphere in the ground and an air of expectation and uncertainty you always experience when it is the first game under a new manager. Malaga looked bright and busy but in 5 minutes it was Sevilla who first threatened the goal when Cesar Nevas had to bring down Baptista just outside the box as the Brazilian bore down on goal. However, Renato's free kick came to nothing and the ball goes out for a throw.
The unusual set-up for Malaga seems well bedded in (meticulous training?) with Cesar Nevas dominant in the air in defence and Juanito likewise in midfield. In 8' Juanito wins the ball in the centre circle and releases Juan Rodriguez. The big midfielder slips a neat pass into the path of Amoroso, whose first time shot just skimmed the outside of the post with Estaban beaten and the crowd on its feet.
The next minute Gerardo takes a freekick wide on the left, but his screamer goes wide of the far post.
Then it's Duda's turn to take a free kick, but his shot goes straight into the defensive wall.
It's all Malaga and after a series of short passes from the midfield, Edgar has a great chance to put the home side ahead, but Estaban dived at full stretch to his right to deny the Angolan/Portuguese at the near post. The next minute Edgar goes on a run down the right wing and whips in an inviting cross but it's just beyond the onrushing Amoroso.
In 16' it's the first booking of the game as Navarro is cautioned after a high tackle on Duda.
It's 20 minutes before Sevilla really make any sort of impact since the opening moments and again it's Baptista who forces Fernando Sanz to make an excellent tackle to gain a corner. It's taken by Renato (was Rene in the stand?) but Arnau meets it with his fist and punches the ball well clear.
Sevilla pose more danger at a free kick, but fortunately it's centre back Aitor Ocio who finds himself clear and before he can shape up for a shot, Arnau is out to collect the ball off his feet.
In 31' the big Sevilla number 9, Aranda, goes on a run right down the middle and gets past both Cesar Nevas and Fernando Sanz for the first time and again Arnau looked alert and scooped the ball away from his feet to avert the danger.
It's all Sevilla now and some slick passing down the left wing has Baptista running onto the ball, except Fernando Sanz got there first and made another clean tackle.
Some frustration creeps in as Duda is booked for a late tackle on Renato after 39'.
Juanito picks up a loose ball (as was his wont this evening) in the centre circle and sent a looping pass out wide down the left for Duda to run onto. With Amoroso, Juan Rodriguez and Edgar all available in the box, instead he elects to blast the ball well over the bar.
In 43' it's Fernando Sanz to the rescue again as he has to make another telling tackle to deny Aranda.
On 45' the last attempt of the half falls to Edgar who heads over after some fine work by Valcarce on the left wing.

Half-time Malaga 0 Sevilla 0

Within 30 seconds of the restart, Malaga almost take the lead. Edgar is brought down on the right wing. Duda floats one into the box and Juanito makes a good connection. Another fine save from Estaban keeps the scores level.
In 52' Gerardo finds Edgar on the right but the speed merchant is again brought down, this time by David. From 35 yards, Gerardo has a go and his shot is almost deflected past his own keeper by Aitor Ocio, but Estaban manages to make the save on the line.
In 54' Edgar slips the ball to Amoroso who's able to spot Juan Rodriguez's run with an excellent through ball. The big midfielder put everything into his shot which Estaban got behind, but required treatment after being winded.
In 57' Amoroso is clearly disappointed when his number 9 is shown on the board on the sidelines and he is replaced by Wanchope.
Wanchope is in the thick of things soon, closing down on Navarro who had collected the ball from Estaban and forcing the centre half to concede a corner.
Malaga seem to be getting back on top again and there is a sustained period of pressure with shots raining in from Juan Rodriguez, Leko, Wanchope, Duda and Edgar as the Sevilla defence fail to clear their lines.
In a rare moment of relief, Sevilla win a freekick on 65' and Baptista's effort is so close we are all holding our collective breath. But the ball goes wide!
From Arnau's kick, Edgar appears on the left and is able to lob the ball towards Juan Rodriguez. Aitor Ocio manages to steer the ball away from the Malaga player towards his goalkeeper, but WANCHOPE is alive to the possibilities and forces himself between the defender and keeper to nudge the ball over the line and score. To say the team, crowd and public address system went wild is a huge understatement.
Malaga 1 Sevilla 0
Although there is 25' still to play in the half the game is over as Sevilla's every attack is snuffed out by Fernando Sanz and Cesar Nevas in defence and Juanito winning everything in midfield. Malaga did have a few opportunities to increase their lead, but in truth they were very happy to settle for 1-0 and three points.
The final whistle came with Tapia killing the game with time wasting substitutions, with Leko coming off for Usero and Duda off for Giejo. Goodbye Manzano, Hello Tapia. What a start for the new manager! But no opportunity for new boy Michel, whose time will surely come next week, when the mighty Atletico Madrid come to town. Never fear, your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Full-time Malaga 1 Sevilla 0

Posted by hodgers at 2:52 AM | Permalink

Well after the two Sevilla sides, Sevilla/Real Betis, the Sevilla/Malaga fixture is the biggest local derby in Andalusia. I was reading just the other day that in terms of land mass, Andalucia is bigger than Portugal, so it was not surprising that there were all sorts of stories circulating in the local newspapers in the build-up to Sunday's game. One I read concerned the outstanding payment Malaga had to pay Atletico Fenix, the Uruguayan former club of that country's international striker, Dario Silva. Malaga maintain that there is no outstanding debt, but the Malaga Director General, Antonio Mendoza, did wonder why this story had emerged during the week before the Sevilla/Malaga match, when it concerned a player who left Malaga a little acrimoniously at the end of last season to join.......Sevilla! Of course, Dario Silva's replacement at Malaga is Salva, La Liga's top scorer, who has outperformed anything that his predecessor did and has easily wiped the Malaga fan's memories of the Uruguayan with his 16 goals so far.
Unfortunately, your Malaga CF Correspondent did not make the trip to Sevilla yesterday, as this Wednesday we hope to get the keys to our new house. However, I was able to catch a glimpse of the highlights on television and I know that you Malaga supporters around the globe are interested to know how the White and Blues got on.
Again as fate would have it, Sevilla started the game on the same points total as Malaga, so a victory for either team would open up a three point gap between them. In Andalucia, if one of the teams can't win the league, then the season is not a complete failure if they are to finish above their closest rivals. As you know in Spanish football, home wins are expected, away wins are rare apart from the top clubs, and Malaga did beat Sevilla at home earlier in the season.
First of all Manager Juande Ramos, as ever, made some changes to the team for the visit to Sevilla. Our Uruguayan anchor man, Romero, returned after being out for several weeks in place of his able deputy, the Croation Leko, the Argentine Insua was preferred to Luque on the left wing, as regular Duda is still suspended after being sent off two weeks ago, and Ramos went for two up front with Canabal partnering Salva, which meant that Gerardo dropped to the bench as the Portuguese Edgar took up his position on the right wing. Team (4, 4, 2) Arnau, Josemi, Litos, Fernando Sanz, Valcarce, Edgar, Michel Angel, Romero, Insua, Canabal and Salva.
We went out for a meal last night, unable to watch the game live on television as it was infuriatingly on a Spanish Pay for View channel. However, we are walking past this bar, which had a huge television in the corner, and there is a football match on. I glanced up and recognised the all-white of Sevilla against the unique black and gold away strip of Malaga so I popped my head in to see what the score was. Well just at that minute, in the 78th minute of the match to be exact, well into the second half, with the score level on 0-0, Insua went rushing into the box down the left hand side, with both Canabal and Salva running into more central positions in the box. The nasty big defender came along and made a rough sliding tackle which took the ball away from Insua, but also took Insua's legs and down he went....penalty! Up steps, who else but, Salva and he powerfully crashed the spot kick past the hapless goalie to make the final score Sevilla 0 Malaga 1.
Salva's tally for the season has now increased to 17, just 5 behind Ronaldo's 22, but the big Brazilian is out for a few weeks and our man has an opportunity to catch up and overtake the goofy one.
A famous victory then and one which pushes Malaga into 8th spot, just three points off the European placings that the top six spots guarantee. Next week, Malaga are at home to struggling Albecete, who won promotion from the Second Division last year and have been finding it difficult in their first season with the big boys, lurking around the fringes of the three relegation slots all season. What will happen? I will let you know as your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Posted by hodgers at 7:46 AM | Permalink