Match Reports

As has become the custom for cup games, the first team regulars are rested and a chance given to the squad members who don't feature in the starting eleven and also an opportunity given to some of the players from the Malaga B team. So the team which faced Tenerife was very different from the normal Malaga line-up. Malaga B centre back Lobato is given a chance at right back and Portuguese misfit is moved from his habitual right wing berth to support Ivan Rosado up front.

Malaga (4-4-2): Arnau; Lobato, Silva, Jesule and Valcarce; Cheli, Apoño, Sandro, and Eliseu; Paulo Jorge and Iván Rosado.

Just under 9000 spectators were in the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium for the 22:00h kick off in an agreeable temperature of 20C.

Malaga unsurprisingly took time to settle with so many players playing together for the first time. They played high up the field which meant the midfield area became very crowded and unsurprisingly, Tenerife took the lead after 23 minuntes, although through a fortuitous route. First Iriome benefitted from a clearance from Jesule which struck the body of his captain, Valcarce. SILVA went to clear but the ball came off the heel of his boot and went past Arnau for a comical own goal. Tenerife 1 Malaga 0 The goal seemed to wake Malaga up from their lethargic start and they began to have more of the ball. Tenerife were pressed back into defence and Silva almost scored at the Tenerife end when his header off a cross from the left came off the right hand post. Half-time Tenerife 1 Malaga 0 At the interval, Muñiz took the opportunity to recontruct the team. Malaga B centre back Lobato was substituted by Malaga B winger Gerardo, who had shone in the preseason matches. Winger Paulo Jorge, who had been playing behind Ivan Rosado as a second striker, moved to the right back position and Geraldo replaced him up front.
This change seemed to reactivate Malaga in attack, because Gerardo knew how to take advantage of the extraordinary work rate of Iván Rosado. At the same time, Apoño and Sandro entered game and started to impose themselves on midfield. Thus they were able to bring the wingers, Eliseu and Cheli, more into the game. A goal to tie the game was now just a matter of time. And it came in 61' after an excellent combination of passes following a run down the left wing by Eliseu, who passed to Sandro. The movement and intelligence of Rosado and Geraldo created space for ELISEU to take the final pass to score. Tenerife 1 Malaga 1 From that moment the Tenerife did not exist. Not even the successive changes of Oltra to give an offensive breath to the Canary Island side had any repercussion in the game. Definitively the Malaga had everything in its favour. They were superior to their opponents in all the zones of the field and played with tempo. Tenerife, affected psychologically, could not resist the gale. Malaga B right back Javi Ramos came on for Cheli in 72' and Malaga restructured again. Gerardo moved to the right wing and Paulo Jorge moved back upfield. But after a superb cross from the right wing by Gerardo eluded the Tenerife goalkeeper in 76' it was the substitute JAVI RAMOS who got onto the end of the cross to put the tie beyond the home side from five yards at the far post.

Full time: Tenerife 1 Malaga 2

Another victory for Malaga, which means nine played and nine won - a remarkable record. In the fourth round of the Copa, we see the First Division teams enter, so Malaga will be hoping for a glory tie against one of the big guns just to see how close to being ready to competing in La Liga they are.

On Sunday, it's back to league business when Malaga must travel to Elche in another live televised match. Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be watching!

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 11:14 AM | Permalink

Malaga travelled to the largest of the Canary Islands for Sunday’s match, knowing, after Saturday’s results, that some of their rivals had achieved victories, which made it imperative that they took something from this game, especially with potentially tough games against two of the top three teams in the league in the next fortnight.
With Silva and Jonaton Valle suspended, but with Calleja again available, Muniz put out his team in 4-3-3 formation, which had proved decisive, finally, against Vecindario last week, with Gascon replacing Silva as the holding midfield player.

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

Again this match was televised live on Spanish TV, such is the interest in Malaga’s plight, and it may have been the reason for what seemed a particularly poor attendance of 7,436 at the match.
Tenerife started very brightly and within 2 minutes had forced Malaga back defending desperately in their own penalty area. Crosses from both wings looked dangerous, with two powerful looking strikers in Cristo Marrero and Raul Sanchez already giving Armando and Jesule plenty to think about.
In 3’ as the relentless pressure continued, Armando was forced to concede the first corner of the game under pressure from Raul Sanchez. From the corner kick, Cristo is granted a free header but the ball whizzes just over the bar.
Tenerife are enjoying a lot of freedom down Malaga’s right flank, with the overlapping Jesus Gamez caught too advanced, thus allowing the home side’s left back, Hector, lots of unchallenged space to get crosses into the area.
In 6’ Tenerife maintain the pressure and Hector finds Raul Sanchez free in the box with an excellent pass. The big striker blasts the ball at goal and Goitia has to make an excellent point blank save to stop the home side going ahead.
In 10’ Valcarce and Calleja are under pressure near their own left corner flag by right winger Iriome and Calleja makes a hurried clearance up the wing rather than putting the ball out of play. Unfortunately the ball lands straight at Marc Betran’s feet and the full back immediately sends in a delightful cross into the box. Armando and Jesule seem caught out with the speed of this play and RAUL SANCHEZ reacts quicker to send an excellent glancing header into the net away from Goitia.
Tenerife 1 Malaga 0
It was no more than the home side were due after the opening ten minutes in which they had completely dominated Malaga with their speed of movement and pressing play. Malaga had not yet managed to get out of the own half, but this was not the script and certainly not the start that Malaga needed or wanted.
We had to wait until 13’ before we see Malaga break out of their own half and it was a good run by Rosado down the right wing which eased the pressure on the beleaguered Malaga defence. Counago had run in support but was too advanced so Rosado elected instead to cut the ball back towards the on running Calleja. However the left winger was beaten to the ball by centre back Pablo Sicilia and the danger for Tenerife was gone.
In 15’ Sandro, who up till this point had been unusually absent, found some space to deliver a ball into the penalty area, from the left wing. Counago goes up for it, but so does keeper Bernardo and Pablo Sicilia and the chance is gone.
From the clearance Hidalgo picks up the ball in midfield and tries to find Jesus Gamez on the right wing. The pass is poor and intercepted by Hector who runs with the ball unchallenged for at least 30 yards. Looking up he sees he has no support so he tries a powerful drive at goal which is just wide of the near post.
Tenerife are still looking the more dangerous side and are quick on the counter-attack and seem keen to expose the space down the flanks which Malaga’s tight 4-3-3 system allows , as the three midfielders are very much central midfield players.
In 18’ Raul Sanchez easily turns Jesule on the penalty spot to send another crashing drive at goal. Again Goitia is the hero with another amazing point blank stop.
From Goitia’s clearance, Counago beats the offside trap and tries to get on the end of the ball, but Bernardo rushes out of his box to clear.
In 23’ the first card of the game is yellow when Ricardo is booked for tripping Rosado.
In 24’ Malaga mount an attack down the right wing, but it seems ponderous compared to Tenerife’s exciting cut and thrust play and by the time Sandro makes up his mind the entire Tenerife team is back defending. Sandro has taken so long there is nothing in the box and so has to pass the ball back to Hidalgo. The midfielder is not scared of shooting and lets one fly from 30 yards against the team he spent five years with before joining Malaga. His shot though is high and wide.
In 27’ Malaga force a corner down the right wing after good play between Sandro and Jesus Gamez. But Calleja’s corner kick is easily caught by Bernardo.
The next minute, Goitia is again in action making yet another fine point blank save, this time from Cristo, as Tenerife again exploit Malaga’s defensive weakness against pace.
In 29’ Tenerife keep the pressure up in a sweeping move down their left wing. Hector sends in a great cross for Raul Sanchez and Valcarce has to make a last minute interception and send the ball over his own bar for a corner.
30’ gone and Malaga are still not in the game. Tenerife are quickest to everything, running the midfield, enjoying acres of space down both wings and creating chance after chance, with only some excellent goalkeeping from Goitia keeping them down to a 1-0 lead.
In 32’ Malaga’s first real attempt at goal comes from Jesus Gamez. The full back collects a cut back from Rosado and hits the ball hard and true but it’s deflected for a corner.
In 35’ Malaga go closer still, when the ball comes out of the area and lands at Valcarce’s feet. The little full back has no hesitation and sends in a powerful drive from 25 yards, only to see it come back off the base of the post. Armando is quickest to react and neatly places the ball past Bernardo and into the net, but Counago is offside.
In 39’ Valcarce loses possession in Tenerife’s penalty area to Iriome. Tenerife’s right winger runs unopposed the full length of the ground and crosses into the penalty area for Cristo, who had run in support. Armando had to make a last ditch tackle to deny the forward and his clearance went over the bar for a corner.
In 41’ Calleja passes to Counago in the box. His way is barred so he slips it right to Rosado who taps it home from five yards. However the flag is up for offside.
In 45’ Jesule in a panic clears the ball straight to Cristo. The big striker runs into the box clear on goal and shoots powerfully. Yet again Goitia is equal to the task and brings off yet another fine save.

Half time Tenerife 1 Malaga 0

It’s been a torrid first half for Malaga, who are just hanging on thanks entirely to Goitia in their goal. Without his heroics, Malaga could easily have been 5-0 down at the break.
Muniz makes his first change at half time, bringing on the teenager Kiko for Jesule at centre half, I suppose hoping that Kiko’s pace might offset that of Tenerife’s attack more than the usually reliable but pedestrian Jesule.
However, the second half starts as the first left off and Bertran tries a shot from the right wing that Goitia gathers easily.
In 49’ Malaga are still digesting their half time cup of tea and not closing Tenerife in the midfield, allowing Raul Sanchez another clear shot at goal which whistles just over.
In 51’ Bertran goes close again as Malaga are still not closing the huge gaps down both wings.
In 53’ Sandro’s poor pass to Counago puts the striker in bother, but he somehow manages to get the ball back to Hidalgo who is standing 25 yards out. He has a crack at goal but Bernardo makes a fine save.
Muniz then makes his second change to try and get his team more into the game. Valcarce is replaced by 8’3” Uruguayan giant striker Chengue Morales. Gascon moves to left back, Calleja back into midfield with Counago going left up front to accommodate Chengue through the centre.
Within four minutes, Malaga are level. Chengue’s physical presence has the desired effect on the home defence and a panic clearance ends up at HIDALGO’s feet. Again he is about 30 yards out, but he sends in a powerful drive, which seems to swerve in the air before coming off the inside of the post and into the net with Bernardo given no chance. GOOOOAAAALLLL!!!!
Tenerife 1 Malaga 1
As a scoreline, it is a little unfair reflection on the play so far, but Malaga will take it and you could sense a little bit of the pressure coming off the visitors’ shoulders.
Gascon at left back was not a success though and in 67’ Muniz makes his final substitution by taking off the tired Counago for Molinero. Now Molinero has been playing as a right winger this season, but he went to left back, allowing Gascon to go back into midfield as Malaga changed their formation to 4-4-2.
Then Malaga stun the home side in 71’. Calleja takes a corner from the left which wickedly goes under the bar where Chengue is ready to jump with the goalkeeper. However it’s Bernardo’s ball, but he seems to fumble it and cannot hold it and lets it drop to the ground. GASCON is two yards off the goal line and accepts the goalie’s charity and whacks the ball into the back of the net for Malaga’s second. What a disaster for Bernardo! It truly is a game of two goalkeepers!
We know the script by now. Malaga are ahead with 15 minutes to go and will defend this lead at all costs.
Tenerife desperately try route one football to get back into the game they should have one.
In 89’ Goitia has to make yet another fine save , palming the ball off Raul Sanchez’s head after a fine cross from Bertran.
In 91’ Kiko brings down Cristo in the “D” and is booked. There are some anxious moments as Malaga try to create a defensive wall with everybody back. Cristo takes the kick, it beats the wall and is flying goal bound, but Goitia makes a great save to deny the home side and ensure Malaga escape with what was at one time an unlikely outcome.

Final score Tenerife 1 Malaga 2

What a result! Just what Malaga needed! They achieve the magical 50 points they had set themselves earlier for survival, but a look at the table shows that there is still work to be done in the remaining four games, staring next week at home against already promoted Real Murcia. Never fear, Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there!

League Table: http://www.as.com/futbol/segunda/clasificacion/

Website for more information and gossip in English on Malaga: www.malagafootballenglish.com

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 10:09 AM | Permalink

Malaga travelled to the largest of the Canary Islands for Sunday’s match, knowing, after Saturday’s results, that some of their rivals had achieved victories, which made it imperative that they took something from this game, especially with potentially tough games against two of the top three teams in the league in the next fortnight.
With Silva and Jonaton Valle suspended, but with Calleja again available, Muniz put out his team in 4-3-3 formation, which had proved decisive, finally, against Vecindario last week, with Gascon replacing Silva as the holding midfield player.

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

Again this match was televised live on Spanish TV, such is the interest in Malaga’s plight, and it may have been the reason for what seemed a particularly poor attendance of 7,436 at the match.
Tenerife started very brightly and within 2 minutes had forced Malaga back defending desperately in their own penalty area. Crosses from both wings looked dangerous, with two powerful looking strikers in Cristo Marrero and Raul Sanchez already giving Armando and Jesule plenty to think about.
In 3’ as the relentless pressure continued, Armando was forced to concede the first corner of the game under pressure from Raul Sanchez. From the corner kick, Cristo is granted a free header but the ball whizzes just over the bar.
Tenerife are enjoying a lot of freedom down Malaga’s right flank, with the overlapping Jesus Gamez caught too advanced, thus allowing the home side’s left back, Hector, lots of unchallenged space to get crosses into the area.
In 6’ Tenerife maintain the pressure and Hector finds Raul Sanchez free in the box with an excellent pass. The big striker blasts the ball at goal and Goitia has to make an excellent point blank save to stop the home side going ahead.
In 10’ Valcarce and Calleja are under pressure near their own left corner flag by right winger Iriome and Calleja makes a hurried clearance up the wing rather than putting the ball out of play. Unfortunately the ball lands straight at Marc Betran’s feet and the full back immediately sends in a delightful cross into the box. Armando and Jesule seem caught out with the speed of this play and RAUL SANCHEZ reacts quicker to send an excellent glancing header into the net away from Goitia.
Tenerife 1 Malaga 0
It was no more than the home side were due after the opening ten minutes in which they had completely dominated Malaga with their speed of movement and pressing play. Malaga had not yet managed to get out of the own half, but this was not the script and certainly not the start that Malaga needed or wanted.
We had to wait until 13’ before we see Malaga break out of their own half and it was a good run by Rosado down the right wing which eased the pressure on the beleaguered Malaga defence. Counago had run in support but was too advanced so Rosado elected instead to cut the ball back towards the on running Calleja. However the left winger was beaten to the ball by centre back Pablo Sicilia and the danger for Tenerife was gone.
In 15’ Sandro, who up till this point had been unusually absent, found some space to deliver a ball into the penalty area, from the left wing. Counago goes up for it, but so does keeper Bernardo and Pablo Sicilia and the chance is gone.
From the clearance Hidalgo picks up the ball in midfield and tries to find Jesus Gamez on the right wing. The pass is poor and intercepted by Hector who runs with the ball unchallenged for at least 30 yards. Looking up he sees he has no support so he tries a powerful drive at goal which is just wide of the near post.
Tenerife are still looking the more dangerous side and are quick on the counter-attack and seem keen to expose the space down the flanks which Malaga’s tight 4-3-3 system allows , as the three midfielders are very much central midfield players.
In 18’ Raul Sanchez easily turns Jesule on the penalty spot to send another crashing drive at goal. Again Goitia is the hero with another amazing point blank stop.
From Goitia’s clearance, Counago beats the offside trap and tries to get on the end of the ball, but Bernardo rushes out of his box to clear.
In 23’ the first card of the game is yellow when Ricardo is booked for tripping Rosado.
In 24’ Malaga mount an attack down the right wing, but it seems ponderous compared to Tenerife’s exciting cut and thrust play and by the time Sandro makes up his mind the entire Tenerife team is back defending. Sandro has taken so long there is nothing in the box and so has to pass the ball back to Hidalgo. The midfielder is not scared of shooting and lets one fly from 30 yards against the team he spent five years with before joining Malaga. His shot though is high and wide.
In 27’ Malaga force a corner down the right wing after good play between Sandro and Jesus Gamez. But Calleja’s corner kick is easily caught by Bernardo.
The next minute, Goitia is again in action making yet another fine point blank save, this time from Cristo, as Tenerife again exploit Malaga’s defensive weakness against pace.
In 29’ Tenerife keep the pressure up in a sweeping move down their left wing. Hector sends in a great cross for Raul Sanchez and Valcarce has to make a last minute interception and send the ball over his own bar for a corner.
30’ gone and Malaga are still not in the game. Tenerife are quickest to everything, running the midfield, enjoying acres of space down both wings and creating chance after chance, with only some excellent goalkeeping from Goitia keeping them down to a 1-0 lead.
In 32’ Malaga’s first real attempt at goal comes from Jesus Gamez. The full back collects a cut back from Rosado and hits the ball hard and true but it’s deflected for a corner.
In 35’ Malaga go closer still, when the ball comes out of the area and lands at Valcarce’s feet. The little full back has no hesitation and sends in a powerful drive from 25 yards, only to see it come back off the base of the post. Armando is quickest to react and neatly places the ball past Bernardo and into the net, but Counago is offside.
In 39’ Valcarce loses possession in Tenerife’s penalty area to Iriome. Tenerife’s right winger runs unopposed the full length of the ground and crosses into the penalty area for Cristo, who had run in support. Armando had to make a last ditch tackle to deny the forward and his clearance went over the bar for a corner.
In 41’ Calleja passes to Counago in the box. His way is barred so he slips it right to Rosado who taps it home from five yards. However the flag is up for offside.
In 45’ Jesule in a panic clears the ball straight to Cristo. The big striker runs into the box clear on goal and shoots powerfully. Yet again Goitia is equal to the task and brings off yet another fine save.

Half time Tenerife 1 Malaga 0

It’s been a torrid first half for Malaga, who are just hanging on thanks entirely to Goitia in their goal. Without his heroics, Malaga could easily have been 5-0 down at the break.
Muniz makes his first change at half time, bringing on the teenager Kiko for Jesule at centre half, I suppose hoping that Kiko’s pace might offset that of Tenerife’s attack more than the usually reliable but pedestrian Jesule.
However, the second half starts as the first left off and Bertran tries a shot from the right wing that Goitia gathers easily.
In 49’ Malaga are still digesting their half time cup of tea and not closing Tenerife in the midfield, allowing Raul Sanchez another clear shot at goal which whistles just over.
In 51’ Bertran goes close again as Malaga are still not closing the huge gaps down both wings.
In 53’ Sandro’s poor pass to Counago puts the striker in bother, but he somehow manages to get the ball back to Hidalgo who is standing 25 yards out. He has a crack at goal but Bernardo makes a fine save.
Muniz then makes his second change to try and get his team more into the game. Valcarce is replaced by 8’3” Uruguayan giant striker Chengue Morales. Gascon moves to left back, Calleja back into midfield with Counago going left up front to accommodate Chengue through the centre.
Within four minutes, Malaga are level. Chengue’s physical presence has the desired effect on the home defence and a panic clearance ends up at HIDALGO’s feet. Again he is about 30 yards out, but he sends in a powerful drive, which seems to swerve in the air before coming off the inside of the post and into the net with Bernardo given no chance. GOOOOAAAALLLL!!!!
Tenerife 1 Malaga 1
As a scoreline, it is a little unfair reflection on the play so far, but Malaga will take it and you could sense a little bit of the pressure coming off the visitors’ shoulders.
Gascon at left back was not a success though and in 67’ Muniz makes his final substitution by taking off the tired Counago for Molinero. Now Molinero has been playing as a right winger this season, but he went to left back, allowing Gascon to go back into midfield as Malaga changed their formation to 4-4-2.
Then Malaga stun the home side in 71’. Calleja takes a corner from the left which wickedly goes under the bar where Chengue is ready to jump with the goalkeeper. However it’s Bernardo’s ball, but he seems to fumble it and cannot hold it and lets it drop to the ground. GASCON is two yards off the goal line and accepts the goalie’s charity and whacks the ball into the back of the net for Malaga’s second. What a disaster for Bernardo! It truly is a game of two goalkeepers!
We know the script by now. Malaga are ahead with 15 minutes to go and will defend this lead at all costs.
Tenerife desperately try route one football to get back into the game they should have one.
In 89’ Goitia has to make yet another fine save , palming the ball off Raul Sanchez’s head after a fine cross from Bertran.
In 91’ Kiko brings down Cristo in the “D” and is booked. There are some anxious moments as Malaga try to create a defensive wall with everybody back. Cristo takes the kick, it beats the wall and is flying goal bound, but Goitia makes a great save to deny the home side and ensure Malaga escape with what was at one time an unlikely outcome.

Final score Tenerife 1 Malaga 2

What a result! Just what Malaga needed! They achieve the magical 50 points they had set themselves earlier for survival, but a look at the table shows that there is still work to be done in the remaining four games, staring next week at home against already promoted Real Murcia. Never fear, Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there!

League Table: http://www.as.com/futbol/segunda/clasificacion/

Website for more information and gossip in English on Malaga: www.malagafootballenglish.com

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 10:09 AM | Permalink

Saturday 16 December 2006 and Malaga's last home game of the year is against Tenerife, who are just one point better off in the league table. After last week's terrible performance in the draw against bottom club Vecinario in the wind and rain of Gran Canaria, Malaga find themselves 17th in the table (out of 22) just two points clear of the fourth bottom club and the relegation zone.

Changes had to be made and a home win this weekend is imperative. The defensive frailties which have dogged Malaga all season were helped for this game with the dropping of Cesar Navas from the squad. The giant centre back has had a torrid season, with his mistakes being regularly punished by giving away goals. The return of the Argentine (Alan) Schurrer after injury is welcome and offers the dream pairing of Jesule and Schurrer in the heart of the defence for the first time in the league this season.
Also returning is Silva to again play just in front of the back four, at the expense of OJ Morales and the injured Romero.
There is still no place for out of form left back and captain Valcarce (Arnau is today's captain) and playmaker Sandro gets his chance to play alongside Hidalgo and Jonaton Valle in the most creative midfield that Muniz has put on the field since becoming manager. We are not convinced about Jonaton Valle, as he seems to spend most of his time with his backside on the pitch, whingeing to the referee, but there is no denying the effort he puts in and this must be impressing the manager.
Up front, Counago is preferred to Chengue Morales.
So it's a return to the familiar 4-1-3-2 formation for Muniz after experimenting for the last two matches with a very narrow 4-1-2-1-2 set up.

Malaga (4-1-3-2): Arnau; Jesus Gamez, Jesule, Schurrer and Jose Mari; Silva; Jonaton Valle, Sandro and Hidalgo; Salva and Counago.

After a perfectly lovely sunny winter's afternoon, the game kicks off at 18:30h under the floodlights in a still warm 18C. However, it's a relatively small crowd of 8751 spectators, after the recent very poor performances. Malaga have won the toss and are kicking towards the Fondo end in the first half.
But it's Tenerife who have the first chance. After only 40 seconds on the clock, Malaga concede a free kick on the edge of their box. The kick beats the wall but goes wide of the near post.
Tenerife seem to have the initiative in these opening minutes as Malaga struggle to find first gear and force another effort from another free kick after 3'. This time Silva heads clear.
We have to wait until the 7th minute before we see a shot from Malaga. Jesus Gamez takes a throw in on the right to Jonaton Valle. The diminutive one starts a run along the 18 yard line, looking to make a pass. There is nobody available and no challenges from the Tenerife defence, so he has a go, but it's wide of the far post.
With three central midfielders, Malaga is relying on the overlapping of the fullbacks, Jesus Gamez down the right and Jose Mari down the left. In 9' Jose Mari whips in a delightful cross for Salva and there is some panic in the Tenerife defence as they concede Malaga's first corner.
The next minute Jesus Gamez does the same down the right and another corner is won.
Counago has a half chance in 13' when Sandro sends in a ball into the inside left channel for him to chase. Tenerife goalkeeper Bernardo is quick off his line though and reaches the ball first.
Tenerife have their first real chance on goal from their first corner in 19'. Giant striker, Raul Sanchez, beats Jesule to the ball but heads over.
We have to wait until the 26' for Malaga's next attacking move. This time Salva provides the pass into the inside right channel for Jonaton Valle. The youngster has no pace though and Bernardo mops up easily.
In 27' Counago is clearly impeded in the box running after another through pass, this time from Hidalgo. Penalty? No.
Malaga are conceding free kicks in dangerous areas, but Tenerife are only able to hit the wall on each occasion.
In 30' Malaga come closest yet to opening the scoring. A poor pass back is latched onto by Salva in the box, but Bernardo is again first to the ball and smothers it.
In 31', the first booking of the game and it's Schurrer for persistent fouling as yet another free kick is given on the edge of the Malaga penalty area. Again the chance is wasted as the visitor's kick hits the wall.
In 32' Counago is lurking at the far post and Sandro picks him out with a delightful chip. However, full back Clavero gets there first to give away the corner.
Hidalgo takes the corner from the right. The ball lands around the penalty spot and two Tenerife defenders seem to get in each other's way and one appears to handle the ball. We are on our feet screaming for a penalty when the ball breaks to Counago on the six yard line. From our seats directly behind the goal, we clearly see COUNAGO control the ball with his arm. He does so beautifully down to his left foot and taps the ball home. GOAL, or is it? The ref is signalling for a goal but there is a bit of a stooshie as the entire Tenerife team runs to the linesman, out on our left hand side. The referee also runs to the linesman, but we know that from both the ref's and linesman's viewpoint, they could not possibly tell that Counago had handled the ball. The goal stands and La Rosaleda erupts!
Malaga 1 Tenerife 0
On reflection, Malaga deserve the lead, as apart form the opening minutes, they have controlled the game, created the most chances and Arnau, in the Malaga goal, has yet to make a save.
In 37' Malaga have a chance to go two up. Long throw expert Jesus Gamez takes a throw from the right which causes some panic in the Tenerife defence, but Salva has been pushing and gives away the free kick.
In 42' Sanma is booked for kicking Sandro after the little maestro had fouled the Tenerife captain.
Last week Jose Mari scored from just inside the opponents half from a free kick. This week, on 45', after Sandro has been brought down in the centre circle, Jose Mari decides to try his luck again. He sends it high into the air and beats the keeper, but the ball curls just wide of the post.

Half time Malaga 1 Tenerife 0

Malaga have been much tighter in defence with Jesule, Schurrer and Silva keeping Tenerife under control through the middle. This is the first time this season that the defensive unit has not given any cause for concern. Jesule in particular is having a very good game, beating Raul Sanchez to the ball on the ground, but particularly in the air, where the tall striker is at least a foot taller than the centre back. Also, Malaga have been closing down much better all over the field, which has stopped Tenerife building moves, although Malaga have conceded a number of free kicks as a result.
At the restart, it is Malaga who start the brighter. We are all conscious of Muniz's terrible tactics trying to defend a one goal lead against RM Castilla in the last home game and are pleased to see Malaga continue where they left off, looking for a second goal which would surely kill this game off.
In 50' Jesule is booked for high feet in a tackle in the centre circle. The free kick is taken as a shot and although it is on target and gets through to Arnau, he gathers the ball comfortably.
In 53' the long throw tactic from Jesus Gamez is proving difficult for Tenerife to defend against. Gamez finds Salva who in turn heads on for Counago, but the striker finds the ball just out of reach.
Tenerife make two changes in 55'. Both central midfielders are replaced with Ramon and Sanma coming off for Sergio and Suso.
In 58' it's Bernardo to the rescue again from another teasing pass from Sandro, this time for Jesus Gamez. Again the goalkeeper races off his line to thwart the Malaga player.
In 59' Tenerife resort to long shots at goal, but on each occasion, they are blocked by Jesule.
In 60' Chengue Morales comes on for the ineffective Jonaton Valle. Malaga now go 4-3-3 with Chengue right, Counago left and Salva down the middle as they try to find that second and decisive goal.
The next minute there is another strong penalty claim from the home side after Salva is pushed to the ground after receiving a beauty of a pass from Jose Mari. No penalty.
In 65' Tenerife make their final substitution with Number 9 Angel coming on for Luis Gil.
In 66' Arnau makes his first save of the game, when he dives out of his box to beat Raul Sanchez to a cross, which Hidalgo was then on hand to clear.
In 67' Suso is booked for a foul on Counago.
In 71' Chengue Morales is alone at the far post when Jose Mari sends a cross over a crowded penalty area. The 8'3" Uruguayan striker has so much time, he tries to place his shot accurately instead of using his usual blasting method. Instead he puts it wide!
In 72' the tiring Counago is replaced by Ernesto. The team reverts to 4-1-3-2 with Ernesto taking up the left side of midfield.
The next minute and Raul Sanchez has the ball in the net after bagatelle in the Malaga penalty box. But, our linesman (the one who said "goal" for Counago in the first half) says "offside". Whew!
In 77' Sandro is booked for dissent.
In 78' Tenerife miss another opportunity as Raul Sanchez heads over after Jose Mari was completely undone by his corresponding right full back Betran for pace, before sending in a peach of a cross for his striker.
In 79' Perico comes on for Sandro (before the little hothead gets a second yellow card, perhaps?) Surprisingly, the right winger takes Sandro's place in the centre of midfield. We now have five left footed players on the park for Malaga in Schurrer, Jesule, Jose Mari, Ernesto and Perico. That must be some sort of a record!?!
In 83' Chengue goes down in heap after a clash near the centre line with centre back Sicilia. The giant looks in pain and limps off the field for treatment.
In 85' Chengue returns to the fray but he still seems to limping on his left leg.
In 88' Chengue goes down again heavily in another crunching tackle, this time from left back Clavero. Jose Mari tries again for a 40 yard goal, but the ball is semi-cleared out to Ernesto, out on the 18 yard line. Unfortunately the ball falls to his right foot and in the time it took him to try to get it onto his left, the chance was gone.
In 89' Chengue is sent off for kicking full ball Clavero up the backside, so Malaga go down to 10 men.
Then, to everybody's horror, the fourth official puts up his board for stoppage time and it's.......SIX (6) minutes! What?
Six minutes of frantic nail-biting as Tenerife tried everything to get an equaliser against their depleted opponents. It was summed up in the 96' when Malaga concede a freekick just inside the Tenerife half. Bernardo comes out of his area to take the kick with 20 players in the Malaga penalty box. The ball falls to Schurrer to head clear. Fulltime whistle blows, Malaga win and take all three points.
Full time Malaga 1 Tenerife 0

Despite the slender win, Malaga are good value for the result with a good many things to take away, before their final match before the Christmas break, away to Real Murcia on Wednesday night.
The defence looked the best it has been all season with Jesule, Schurrer and Silva commanding the centre.
The two 20 year old full backs, Jesus Gamez and Jose Mari look confident in both in defence and going forward.
I think we still await to see the best of the midfield, where Jonaton Valle continues to look lightweight and we need another striker up front who can intimidate opposing defences. Still this win sees Malaga leap seven places up the league and the supporters leave the ground happier than they have been for some time.
The next home game is against Andalucian rivals, Almeria, and is scheduled for Sunday 7 January 2007. This will follow the three week Christmas break which starts after Wednesday's away game to Real Murcia.
Never fear, Your Malaga CF Correspondent will be there.

Posted by malagacf_correspondent at 5:30 PM | Permalink