Match Reports

On Sunday 11 November 2007, Malaga kicked off in Gijon on the Bay of Biscay at 12 noon in low temperatures around 8C in front of a live Canal+ television audience. The temperatures are in stark contrast to those enjoyed 1000km south in the Costa de Sol, where we watched the game in a beach restaurant in tee shirt, shorts and sandals!

This is another tough game for Muniz and his team, with Sporting being one of the most consistent teams in the league so far and occupying third slot in the table, just behind Malaga, who went second after last week's home defeat to Numancia, who claimed the top spot as a result.

Also, with three of his first team squad strikers out with injury, Muniz was forced to play Baha alone up front in a repeat of last week's 4-1-4-1 formation. As Paulo Jorge was suspended and with three strikers out, Muniz drafted in winger Gerardo and striker Javi Ramos from the Malaga B team to take their places on the bench.

Málaga: Goitia; Jesús Gámez, Hélder Rosário, Weligton, Rossato; Carpintero; Cheli, Hidalgo, Apoño and Eliseu; Baha.

In front of a noisy 13,500 home support, the two teams set about their task with some vigour and the game swung from end to end with some neat, slick and quick passing moves. In particular for Sporting, top scorer Barral looked sharp and dangerous and former Malaga B left winger, Diego Castro with his pace and tenacity, was proving a handful for Malaga's normally reliable right back, Jesus Gamez.

In the first fifteen minutes, Malaga were unlucky with two clear chances to take the lead; the first was a clear foul on Rosario in the box for which the referee should have awarded a penalty and the second resulted in a great save from home keeper Roberto, in a snazzy pink top, from Baha after a great run down the right wing by Jesus Gamez.

But it was Malaga who broke the deadlock in 30 minutes with a little stroke of good fortune. In a crowded box, Hidalgo tried to supply Baha, who was standing on the 6 yard line, with a pass but the ball rebounded off a defender. Hidalgo managed to collect the ball and turn near the touchline to swing the ball back into the area with left back Gerard trying to close him down. The pass was good and BAHA met the ball at the near post to squeeze in a great shot between the goalkeeper and the post to put the visitors ahead.

Sporting 0 Malaga 1

Sporting turned up the heat and pinned Malaga back in their box for a while, but with some desperate clearances and some excellent interventions, especially by Weligton and Apono, the home side was kept at bay until half time.

Half time Sporting 0 Malaga 1

The second half started as the first half finished with Sporting going all out for the equaliser and justifying their lofty position in the table.

In 60' Muniz made his first substitution, bringing on the youngster Gerardo for Cheli, I suppose in the hope that the defence might be given some respite if the winger could collect the ball and make a run upfield.

However, Malaga were just about surviving the onslaught, but were unable to take any control in midfield, resorting to hoofing the ball to safety rather than trying to hold the ball and build an attack of their own. Carpintero was again guilty of giving the ball away too often with misplaced passes and it was no surprise that he was replaced by a more creative midfielder in Sandro after 70 minutes.

The little playmaker did have some impact as Malaga actually did manage to venture out of their own half and might have increased their lead if Apono hadn't shot straight at Roberto. The keeper did well though to stop a shot from Baha from 6 yards, showing quick reactions.

In the closing part of the game, it was all Malaga could do to hold onto their slender lead as Sporting piled on the pressure. In 80 minutes, the home side made two substitutions bringing on two strikers to try and get the draw their possession deserved.

Their best chance came in 86', with Omar firing in a shot to which Goitia responded with an agile intervention.

Muniz responded in 88' by replacing his lone striker with a centre half, when he replaced Baha with Silva.

In the last moments of the game, Karanka almost managed to get the equaliser, but again Goitia was equal to it.

Full time: Sporting 0 Malaga 1

An excellent result for Malaga in a very difficult match, where they were under the cosh for long periods. To travel so far and return with all three points, in such different conditions from their normal against an immediate rival after suffering their first home defeat last week, was a testament to the character that this side is starting to show in their performances. Under severe pressure for most of the match (and not because they wanted especially to play to defend their lead) the players kept their composure, with only Jesus Gamez being booked in frustration after he was given a really tough match against Diego Castro. The young full back has reached five bookings and will be suspended for next week's home match against Racing Ferrol. The icing on the cake was to come later on in the evening when Numancia's home defeat to Sevilla Atletico meant that Malaga's win had taken them back to the top of the table!

Next week the match will be on Saturday 17 November at 18:30h again in front of live television cameras against Racing Ferrol. Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there!

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 11:00 AM | Permalink

It’s Sunday 25 February 2007 at 17:30h, and we’re ready for the visit of Real Sporting Club de Gijon, another club in financial difficulties and who travelled the 1000km+ trip from the North Atlantic coast by bus overnight to save centimos.

Malaga have decided now that promotion seems over the horizon for this season and sitting with 31 points from 25 games, manager Muniz has stated that his initial target is 50 points, which he says will secure Malaga in this division. If they can accumulate that total quickly and dependent on results elsewhere, they would consider whether then they could still challenge for promotion.

In an innovative gesture, Malaga offered each of their season ticket holders an extra free ticket for the Sporting game, to try and raise the home gate and make it more intimidating for the opposition. It seemed to work a little bit as 14, 281 turned up for the match!

Malaga have had some selection difficulties this week. Silva was recovering from a broken hand. Wunderkid Popo was injured against Numancia last week and is unavailable. Full back and Spanish U-21 international Jesus Gamez is also recovering from injury and faces a late fitness test. Striker Counago remains out injured; however, Jesule and Jonaton Valle return after suspension. After last week’s away defeat, will Muniz put out a more attacking line-up than his usual 4-1-4-1 set up for this home game? No, he will put out an even more defensive 4-2-3-1 set up i.e. 6 men back defending. Still, if it works?

Malaga (4-2-3-1): Arnau; Jesus Gamez, Armando, Jesule and Valcarce ©; Gascon and Silva; Edgar, Hidalgo and Perico; Ivan Rosado.

Will this ultra defensive system work? The answer came in only 4’. Sporting’s athletic big striker CONGO looks well offside as he runs onto a through ball, but there’s no flag. He continues his run and bank clerk look-alike Arnau looks on as if he is waiting his turn to be served when he’s rounded and the ball placed in the back of the net.

Malaga 0 Sporting 1

What a disastrous start after getting 14k+ to turn up for the game!

In 6’ Edgar, clearly relishing starting a game for a change, forces a corner on the left with his strong running. Hidalgo takes and finds ARMANDO who seems to be given a free header at the near post and he makes no mistake from 6 yards.

Malaga 1 Sporting 1

What a perfect response!

Sporting are not here to make up appearances though and Barral bursts through Malaga’s shaky defence to receive a pass from Congo, who’s made a strong run down the left wing. Barral’s shot requires Arnau to first fumble, then drop then pick up at the third attempt.

In 15’, Hidalgo and Edgar, who are both having an excellent start to the game, combine and Hidalgo runs into the box but visiting goalie Alejandro mops up.

In 16’ Edgar forces another corner out of nothing but Hidalgo’s kick is eventually scrambled away.

In 17’ Malaga keep up the pressure in an entertaining opening period when a long throw from Jesus Gamez is turned out to the feet of Valcarce. Malaga’s captain tries a long range effort which he pulls wide of the near post.

In 23’ Sporting come close at the other end when Arnau has to palm the ball away off Barral’s head for a corner, which Malaga’s defence deals with comfortably.

In 28’ in the best move of the game so far, Edgar pushes a ball square to Hidalgo (who is enjoying himself in midfield without the bossy Sandro alongside him). The midfielder is through on goal but pulls his shot just wide of the post.

In 32’ Jesus Gamez is the first to be booked. It’s for a two footed tackle for which many refs would have given a straight red.

In 37’ Perico, who seems to be meandering ineffectively all over the pitch, suddenly latches onto a through ball from Hidalgo. Alejandro has to rush out of his penalty box to head clear. (Arnau please note - as a goalkeeper, you don’t have to stay on your line and wait and see what happens!)

In 41’ we’re all anxiously looking at the linesman’s flag as Sporting get in the ball in the net for a second time. Thankfully it’s up and the “goal” is chalked off.

Half-time Malaga 1 Sporting 1

Malaga come out for the second half with no substitutes played but a changed formation: 4-3-3! Instead of six men defending, it’s six men attacking! Hello! Home game, Muniz, we should be going for it from the beginning, not waiting until half-time. Let’s see if it makes any difference. Perico and Edgar join Ivan Rosado (who has had precious little service in the first half) up front.

Does it make any difference? Yes, while Malaga are adjusting to their new set-up, former Malaga B captain Diego Castro breaks through Malaga’s defence (where Jesule looks all at sea having to cope with the handful that is Congo) and shoots just over after a dazzling run down the right wing.

In 54’ Hidalgo continues to be Malaga’s most attacking player and gets to the touchline to send in a perfect cross for Perico at the far post. The youngster snatches at the ball and it trickles past the post.

In 55’ Andreu is Sporting’s first booking for a foul on Perico.

In 59’ Edgar goes off to an ovation of sorts to be replaced by Jonaton Valle.

Then in 62’ the ineffective Silva is replaced by Sandro.

In 65’ Jesule is booked for fouling Congo, who continues to be a problem for Malaga’s defence.

In 66’ it’s another great run into the box by Hidalgo. He has choices in the middle but elects to go for glory. Wrong decision as his lob is easily collected by Alejandro.

In 70’ the invisible Ivan Rosado is replaced by Ador.

In 72’ Barral is replaced by Amar.

In 76’ Diego Castro goes off to warm applause from the home support and is replaced by Pedro.

In 79’ Ador goes on a run, surviving two tackles but not the third, for which he is awarded a free kick. Perico takes the kick, trying to curl it past the keeper, but the effort is cleared.

In 80’ Sporting midfielder Gerardo goes off and is replaced by striker Karanka. Both sides know that the game is anybody’s and the next goal will be the winner.

It’s Malaga who continue to dominate the game however and Jonaton Valle finds Ador in the box. The young striker’s shot is weak though and easily saved.

In 85’ Malaga continue to search for the goal that would give them three desperately needed points. Ador goes on a run and passes to Hidalgo, but the midfielder’s goal-bound shot is deflected for a corner.

The last 5 minutes are being played at a frantic pace in an absorbing match as both sides go for it. It’s Arnau who has to make the final save of the game in 94’ palming the ball over at the bar after a header from a very long range free kick.

Full-time Malaga 1 Sporting 1

Another draw at home, which is not good enough. Malaga remain just three points clear of the relegation zone and must start converting these draws into wins to avert the disaster that would be relegation from this league. The press reports have been saying it all though – Armando’s goal today was Malaga’s first in six games. They may have a tight defence, but with no firepower up front, the remaining games look like being nail-biters every one.

Next week they are away to on a 2500 km journey to Gran Canaria and Las Palmas, who are languishing in the relegation zone. A true six-pointer, then, and a golden opportunity for Malaga to put some distance between them and the drop zone.

The following week is a home game with third placed Cuidad de Murcia. Never fear Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Remember: keep up to date with all that's happening at Malaga by visiting http://www.malagafootballenglish.com/

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 9:39 PM | Permalink

Malaga made the long trip north to the Asturias to play Sporting in Gijon, a seaside resort on the Bay of Biscay coast.
Alonso made two changes from the team who lost to Numancia last week, with the return of captain Valcarce at left back, after injury, and Jonaton Valle was preferred to Counago, as Alonso opted for a 4-4-2 formation.
Malaga (4-4-2): Arnau; Jesus Gamez, Cesar Navas, Silva and Valcarce; Edgar, OJ Morales, Romero and Calleja; Salva and Jonaton.
Malaga's team selection was very defensive with two defensive midfielders, the Uruguayans Morales and Romero sitting in front of the back four. So it was not surprising that there were few opportunities in the first half. Malaga went behind in 19' after another defensive error, this time from Jesus Gamez, who attempted a suicidal pass back to Arnau inside a crowded penalty box. Congo stepped in to intercept and slot the ball past Arnau. Jonaton had two clear cut chances to score in a dull first half, both times when one on one with the goalkeeper and both times he hit the ball tamely straight at the prostrate keeper when a little chip into the empty goal would have produced a score.
Half time Sporting 1 Malaga 0
Alonso made two changes at half time with the ineffective Edgar replaced by Saul and attacking midfielder Sandro on for OJ Morales. Sandro's introduction in particular changed the course of the game and it was a fine through ball from him in 53' in the centre circle that found SALVA in the penalty box. The big striker did well to squeeze the ball past his marker and the unsighted goalkeeper to equalise.
In 62' Sandro tried to shoot from 30 yards after a Calleja corner, but he only succeeded in slicing the ball into the air. The centre back SILVA, who was standing outside the box facing Sandro, managed an athletic back header which looped into the air and over the goalkeeper for Malaga's second. A spectacular goal!
Malaga finished Sporting off in 80' when CALLEJA picked up a rebound from a blocked Salva shot and drove the ball into the net from a tight angle from the left wing.
Full Time Sporting 1 Malaga 3
In the end a good result for Malaga and with most of the other teams drawing in the Second Division on Sunday, they are catapulted from 12th to 4th position, just outside the three automatic promotion places.
Next week they get a chance to do even better when they face bottom club, Las Palmas from Gran Canaria, at La Rosaleda. Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 8:50 AM | Permalink