La Liga Primera - Sat 13th May
Cádiz 5
M Pavoni 18, J Sesma 62, 64, Estoyanoff 78, Mirosavijevic 87
Málaga 0

At Ramón de Carranza - Attendance 15,000

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

.......................................................................................

Division 2 - Sun 14th May
Lleida 0
-
Málaga B 0
-

Málaga B fixtures & results

Cádiz

Armando
De la Cuesta
Berizzo
Mario Silva
Vella
M Pavoni
Fleurquin
Lobos
Morán
Enrique
J Sesma

Subs:
Oli for Lobos 45
Estoyanoff for Enrique 65
Mirosavijevic for M Pavoni 71

No bookings

Málaga

Arnau
Gabriel
Sanz
Alexis
Ribeiro
Gerardo
Romero
Hildago
López
Saúl
Couñago

Subs:
J Gámez for Gabriel 68
Anderson for Romero 71
Ador for Hildago 76

Yellow cards:
Ribeiro 89

 
 
La Liga Primera - Sat 6th May
Málaga 0
-
Sevilla 2
Renato 17, F Sales 88

At La Rosaleda - Attendance 10,000

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

.......................................................................................

Division 2 - Sun 7th May
Málaga B 0
-
Recreativo Huelva 2
Uche 18, 44

Málaga B fixtures & results

Málaga

Arnau
Gabriel
Sanz
Alexis
Ribeiro
Gerardo
Manu
Bóvio
López
J Rodríguez
Salva

Subs:
Couñago for Gerardo 45
Saúl for Manu 45
Hildago for Bóvio 76

Yellow cards:
J Rodríguez 48
Couñago 77

Sevilla

Palop
Escudé
Altor Icio
Crespo
Jordi F
Renato
J Navas
Jesuli
F Sales
Puerta
Kepa

Subs:
Alfaro for Jesuli 58
Kanouté for J Navas 67
Martí for Renato 83

No bookings

 
 
La Liga Primera - Weds 3rd May
Villarreal 2
G Franco 10, Tacchinardi 19
Málaga 1
Gerardo 21 pen

At El Madrigal - Attendance 17,250

Villarreal

Barbosa
Javi Venta
Peña
Josemi
C Arzo
Josico
Román
Tacchinardi
Forlán
G Franco
José Mari

Subs:
Calleja for José Mari 69
Guayre for Forlán 77

No bookings

Málaga

Arnau
Gabriel
Navas
Alexis
Nacho
Gerardo
Manu
Romero
Duda
J Rodríguez
Couñago

Subs:
Ribeiro for Duda 10
Hildago for Romero 67
Salva for Nacho 81

No bookings

 
La Liga Primera - Sun 30rd April
Málaga 2
Alexis 26, 31
Racing Santander 3
Casquero 17, Antoñito 52, Juanjo 79 pen

At La Rosaleda - Attendance 10,000

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

.......................................................................................

Division 2 - Sun 30th April
Gimnástic 3
Ekpoki 29, Pinilla 69, Llera 86
Málaga B 2
Perico 71, Usero 89

Málaga B fixtures & results

Málaga

Arnau
Gabriel
Sanz
Alexis
Nacho
Gerardo
Manu
Bóvio
Duda
Salva
Couñago

Subs:
Navas for Alexis 67
Hildago for Bóvio 77

Yellow cards:
Bóvio 18
Sanz 78
Hildago 84
Salva 86

Racing

Aouate
Damia
Oriol
Pinillos
Pablo Alfaro
Ayoza
Moratón
Vitolo
Casquero
Serrano
Antoñito

Subs:
Juanjo for Pablo Alfaro 45
Matabuena for Casquero 75
Antonio Tomás for Vitolo 83

Yellow cards:
Vitolo 47
Serrano 56
Juanjo 79

 
 
La Liga Primera - Sun 23rd April
Real Madrid 2
Zidane 67 pen, Sergio Ramos 87
Málaga 1
Bóvio 22

At Santiago Bernabéu - Attendance 70,000

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

.......................................................................................

Division 2 - Sat 22nd April
Málaga B 1
Abel 50
Albecete 1
Corona 10

Málaga B fixtures & results

Real Madrid

Casillas
Roberto Carlos
Sergio Ramos
Cicinho
Mejía
Baptista
Guti
Beckham
Raúl
Robinho
Cassano

Subs:
Solado for Cassano 62
Zidane for Baptista 62

Yellow cards:
Zidane 67
Beckham 76
Cicinho 81
Mejía 82

Málaga

Arnau
Gabriel
Sanz
Navas
Nacho
Gerardo
J Rodríguez
Bóvio
Manu
López
Couñago

Subs:
Edgar for Manu 59
Litos for Couñago 63
Hildago for Bóvio 82

Yellow cards:
J Rodríguez 39
Bóvio 60
Litos 66
Gabriel 86

 
 
La Liga Primera - Sun 16th April
Osasuna 1
Puñal 30 pen
Málaga 1
Morales 80

At Reyno de Navarra - Attendance 16.600

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

.......................................................................................

Division 2 - Sun 16th April
Murcia 4
Richi 24, 27, Acclari 33, Iván 84
Málaga B 1
Boselli 66

Málaga B fixtures & results

Osasuna

Elía
Cuéllar
Josetxo
Javier Flaño
Corrales
Raúl García
Puñal
Moha
David López
Milosevic
Webó

Subs:
Marcelo Sosa for Webó 63
Cruchaga for Raúl García 70
Muñoz for Puñol 86

Yellow cards:
Cruchaga 88

Málaga

Arnau
J Gámez
Alexis
Navas
Nacho
Gabriel
J Rodríguez
Bóvio
Manu
Couñago
Edgar

Subs:
Morales for Manu 59
Salva for Couñago 68
Hildago for Romero 73

Yellow cards:
Navas 56
Alexis 88

Red cards:
Salva (2 yellows both 88)

 
 
La Liga Primera - Sat 8th April
Málaga 1
Couñago 49
Getafe 2
Paunovic 18, 93

At La Rosaleda - Attendance 14,000

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

.......................................................................................

Division 2 - Sun 9th April
Málaga B 1
Pina 88
Elche 3
Nin 59, Raúl Ivars 66, Katxorro 86

Málaga B fixtures & results

Málaga

Arnau
J Gámez
Alexis
Sanz
Valcarce
Nacho
J Rodríguez
Bóvio
Gabriel
Salva
Edgar

Subs:
López for Nacho 45
Couñago for Edgar 45
Hildago for J Gámez 66

Yellow cards:
J Gámez 25
J Rodríguez 66
López 89

Red cards:
Sanz 84

Getafe

Luis
R Pulido
Paredes
Tena
D Rivas
Mario Cotelo
Vivar D
Redondo
Nano
Alberto
Paunovic

Subs:
D Güiza for Vivar D 65
Rika for Nano 70
Cubillo for Redondo 83

Yellow cards:
Nano 69
Cubillo 85

 
 
La Liga Primera - Sat 1st April
Real Sociedad 3
Ansotegul 35, Skoubo 69, X Prieto 81
Málaga 0
-

At Anoeta - Attendance 27,000

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

.......................................................................................

Division 2 - Sun 2nd April
R Ferrol 2
Joselito 15, Pezzarossi 44
Málaga B 1
Perico 81

Málaga B fixtures & results

Real Sociedad

Riesego
Labaka
Aitor
Ansotegui
Garitano
Novo
Garrido
X Prieto
González
Skoubo
Nihat

Subs:
Stevanovic for Novo 70
Gari for X Prieto 83
Alonso for Skoubo 86

Yellow cards:
Novo 31
Nihat 61

Málaga

Arnau
J Gámez
Alexis
Sanz
López
Manu
J Rodríguez
Bóvio
Duda
Salva
Couñago

Subs:
Edgar for Sanz 59
Hildago for Manu 65
Morales for Salva 78

Yellow cards:
Sanz 36
López 40
J Gámez 43
Couñago 83
Arnau 90
Edgar 90

Red cards:
Rodríguez
(2 yellows) 35 & 66
Morales 85

 
La Liga Primera - Sat 25th March
Málaga 0
-
Barcelona 0
-

At La Rosaleda - Attendance 22,000

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

.......................................................................................

Division 2 - Sun 26th March
Málaga B 0
-
Ejido 1
Toedtil 15

Málaga B fixtures & results

Málaga

Arnau
J Gámez
Navas
Sanz
López
Manu
Gerardo
Bóvio
Duda
Couñago
Salva

Subs:
Nacho for López 58
Hildago for Couñago 65
Edgar for Manu 84

Yellow cards:
López 34
Duda 69

Barcelona

Valdes
Belleti
Sylvinho
Oleguer
Rodri
Motta
Van Bommel
Gabri
Larsson
Giuly
Eto'o

Subs:
Ezquerro for Giuly 56
Iniesta for Gabri 64
Gio for Sylvinho 72

Yellow cards:
None

 
 
La Liga Primera - Weds 22nd March
Deportivo 2
Victor 55, 71
Málaga 1
Duda

At the Riazor - Attendance 12,000

Deportivo

Molina
Capdevila
Juanma
Coloccini
Héctor
Duscher
Sergio
Victor
Tristán
Munitis
Rubén

Subs:
Iago for Rubén 29
Dani for Sergio 46
M Pablo for Tristán 81

Yellow cards:
Héctor 75

Málaga

Arnau
J Gámez
Alexis
Sanz
Nacho
Manu
J Rodríguez
Bóvio
Duda
Salva
Couñago

Subs:
Hildago for Couñago 61
Edgar for Manu 61
Morales for Bóvio 77

Yellow cards:
Couñago 37
Bóvio 47
Nacho 67
Salva 75
Hildago 88
Morales 89
Bóvio 47

Red cards:
Rodríguez
(2 yellows) 57 & 90
Alexis 90

 
 
La Liga Primera - Sun 19th March
Málaga 0
-
Real Zaragoza 1
Ewerthon 88

At La Rosaleda - Attendance 15,000

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

.......................................................................................

Division 2 - Sun 19th March
Levante 2
Harte pen 20, Reggi 70
Málaga B 1
Boselli 81

Málaga B fixtures & results

Málaga

Arnau
J Gámez
Alexis
Sanz
Nacho
Manu
J Rodríguez
Bóvio
Duda
Salva
Couñago

Subs:
Hildago for Manu 56
Morales for Couñago 76
Gabriel for Duda 83

Yellow cards:
Sanz 32

Real Zaragoza

C Sanches A
Cuartero
Toledo
Capi
Cani
Ponzio
Celades
Oscar
Generelo
Ewerthon
Diego Milito

Subs:
Movilla for Celades 46
Savio for Cani 64
Sergio García for D Milito 68

Yellow cards:
Toledo 56

Generelo 75

La Liga Primera - Sun 12th March
Real Betis 1
Rivas 21
Málaga 1
Hildago 72

At Estadio Manuel Ruiz de Lopera - Attendance 45,000

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

.......................................................................................

Division 2 - Sat 11th March
Málaga B 2
Usero 22, Diego Castro 51
Lorca 1
Sava pen 7

Málaga B fixtures & results

Real Betis

Contreras
Fernández
Juanito
Rivas
Melli
Capi
Joaquín
Rivera
Dani
Tardelli
Edú

Subs:
Arzu for Capi 42
Robert for Tardelli 66
Xisco for Dani 66

Yellow cards:
Melli 85

Arzu 89

Málaga

Arnau
J Gámez
Alexis
Navas
Nacho
López
J Rodríguez
Bóvio
Edgar
Hildago
Morales

Subs:
Gabriel for Edgar 44
Duda for Nacho 50
Salva for Hildago 76

Yellow cards:
Nacho 19

Alexis 23
J Gámez 84
Bóvio 86

 
La Liga Primera - Sun 5th March
Málaga 0
-
Valencia 0
-

At La Rosaleda - Attendance 20,000

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

.......................................................................................

Match summary:
A well earned and somewhat surprising point was gained from a Valencia side suffering from an 'off day' or either that complacent of an getting easy victory against a side bottom of the league and lacking any confidence. But the players came out at least showing the right attitude and took the game to Valencia from the start and for a large part of the match. There was a scare when the visitors hit the bar, but other than that, that's all Valencia seemed to throw at Málaga, it was more likely that they would score from a mistake from the very nervous and shakey young B team goalkeeper, Manolo Reina. The lad was like a rabbit caught in headlights at times, but hopefully he will have gained so much from the experience of the night, also having the crowd behind him and a sound defensive display from the centre halves Alexis and Sanz in front of him.

Nacho and López combined well down the left flank, causing Valencia some problems, but the final balls were always lacking, as they were too from the right with another woeful display from Edgar. In the middle of the park, Bóvio once again proved what a good signing he was, running the midfield and passing well, and he seemed to be also carrying Rodríguez at times. Up front it was the usual story, Salva not getting any decent service at all and going to ground too easily, and Morales once again never remotely looking like scoring, and although he won a fair few headers, he could never find a man to lay it off to, most of his heading was wayward and very ineffective.

Towards the end Málaga produced some lovely football to try and get the win, but time after time Edgar killed the moves off with hopeless crossing or loss of the ball. But it was a relief to see the players putting in the effort for a change, and with a little more punch up front and better service from the flanks, may well have won all three points.

........................................

Division 2 - Sun 5th March
Eibar 1
Domínguez 21
Málaga B 1
Boselli 89

Málaga B fixtures & results

Málaga

M. Reina
J Gámez
Alexis
Sanz
Nacho
López
J Rodríguez
Bóvio
Edgar
Salva
Morales

Subs:
Couñago for Bóvio 72
Hildago for Morales 72

Yellow cards:
Bóvio 50

Sanz 57
Morales 66
Rodríguez 78
Hildago 88

Valencia

Cañizares
Miguel
Fabio Aurello
Marchena
Moretti
Albelda
Regueiro
Albiol
D Villa
Angulo
Almar

Subs:
Rufete for Angulo 74
Mista for D Villa

Yellow cards:
D Villa 51

 
 
La Liga Primera - Sat 25th February
Atletico Madrid 5
Torres 5, 9, Maxi 39, Valera 66, 89
Málaga 0
-

At Vicente Calderón - Attendance 30,000

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

.......................................................................................

Match summary:
As soon as the team was announced we just knew what was in store. Arguably the two most skillful and influencial players, Bóvio and Gabriel were on the bench, Bóvio being dropped for the constantly ineffective Anderson. The woeful Litos took place at centre half with Sanz missing again, so the captaincy once more went to Edgar. And Duda was played as a centre forward with Salva. What a farce. It only took 9 minutes for Málaga to be 2-0 down, and those watching in the pub just started chatting amongst themselves about the rain outside, only stopping to glance up at the screen as the ball hit the back of the net time and time again. Oh and Goita saved a penalty on the stroke of half time. The sorry excuse for a President Roldán must stand up now and admit he has dropped a huge clanger by employing this fool Hierro to take the manager's job. Otherwise we will be down by Easter.

........................................

Division 2 - Sat 25th February
Málaga B 2
Ador 5, 40
Valladolid 1
Llorente 55

Málaga B fixtures & results

Atletico Madrid

Leo Franco
Velasco
López
Perea
Pablo
Gabi
Luccin
Torres
Kezman
Maxi
Petrov

Subs:
Valera for Petrov 65
Colsa for Luccin 69
Manu for Torres

Yellow cards:
Luccin 30

Málaga

Goita
Ribeiro
Alexis
Litos
Gerardo
Anderson
Hildago
Nacho
Edgar
Salva
Duda

Subs:
Bóvio for Ribeiro 45
Morales for Hildago 67
Gabriel for Edgar

Yellow cards:
Gerardo 27

Goita 44
Hildago 60

Red cards:
Duda
(2 yellows) 48 & 77

 
 
La Liga Primera - Sun 19th February
Málaga 0
-
Mallorca 2
Pisculichi 55, Campano 90

At La Rosaleda - Attendance 20,000

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

.......................................................................................

Match summary:
There is nothing to say about the weakest gutless performance that La Roseleda has seen from Málaga in years.

If the club ever goes bust lets just say it seems that Edgar will be the last man left to switch the lights out.

And he'd even **** that up.

.......................................................................................

Division 2 - Sat 18th February
Sporting 0
-
Málaga B 0
-

Málaga B fixtures & results

Málaga

Arnau
Gabriel
Alexis
Litos
Gerardo
Ribeiro
Juan Rodríguez
Bóvio
Duda
Salva
Edgar

Subs:
Goita for Arnau 41
Couñago for Gabriel 58
Hildago for J Rodríguez 58

Yellow cards:
Litos 4

Ribeiro 50

Mallorca

Prats
Navarro
Nunes
Tuzzio
Potenza
Basinas
Pereyra
Arango
Jonás
Pisculichi
Tuni

Subs:
Victor for Pisculichi 75
Campano for Tuni 86
Ballesteros for Arango

Yellow cards:
Pisculichi 29

Potenza 56
Basinas 84
Pereyra 85
Victor 89

Red cards:
Tuzzio
(2 yellows) 48 & 89

 
 
La Liga Primera - Sun 12th February
Alavés 3
Navas og 45, Aloisi 50, Bodipo 56
Málaga 2
Duda 70, Hildago 89

At Mendizorroza - Attendance 13,098

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

.......................................................................................

Match summary:
A few more lack-lustre performances like this and Málaga will be playing second division football next season for sure. Despite the close scoreline, this was one of the most dire displays of the season. Málaga were 3-0 down after an hour from three very soft goals. The score only ended up looking more decent because of a Duda free kick and a goal in the last minute from Hildago, which should've been disallowed for a push on the keeper by Morales.

The first hour of the game was a story of woeful Málaga defending, ineffective wing play by Edgar and Duda (making his first appearance for five months after resolving his dispute with the club), and the dreadful Morales. Morales missed a shocking sitter in the second half when he sent a free header well wide. Alavés though missed several sitters in the first half and should've been three up by the break as time and time again the Málaga defence were all over the place. Alavés got their deserved goal right on half time when a sloppy goalmouth scramble led to Navas poking the ball past Arnau, although it was credited to Bodipo.

The farce continued for the first 15 minutes of the second half. Another laughable goalmouth scene of chaos gave Aloisi the easiest chance to fire home in the 50th minute. Shortly afterwards, a backpass by Litos was booted by Arnau, and his attempted clearance richoched off Bodipo's foot and into the empty net. The home side took their foot off the pedal after that and Málaga started looking interested. Duda marked his return from the wilderness by a scoring from his trademark free kick after 70 minutes, a terrific curling shot into the corner. Hildago pulled the score back to 3-2 in the last minute when he volleyed in after Morales had pushed the keeper Costanzo.

The most worrying aspect of the game was the apparent lack of effort and battling from the players, the change of manager made no difference at all.

.......................................................................................

Division 2 - Sat 11th February
Málaga B 1
Pina 45
Tenerife
Jesús V 14, Cristian 54, Maikel 82, 88

Málaga B fixtures & results

Alavés

Costanzo
Coromina
Juanito
Sarriegi
De Lucas
Carpintero
Edu Alonso
Astudillo
Nené
Bodipo
Aloisi

Subs:
Jandro for Carpintero 54
Pellegrino for Bodipo 68
Poli for De Lucas 78

Yellow cards:
Carpintero 37

de Lucas 66
Poli 86

Málaga

Arnau
Alexis
Navas
Litos
Gerardo
Duda
Hildago
Bóvio
Edgar
Couñago
Morales

Subs:
Gabriel for Edgar 62
Rodríguez for Bóvio 68
López for Navas 73

Yellow cards:
Navas 15

Gerardo 17

 
 
La Liga Primera - Sat 5th February
Málaga 2
Litos 30, Salva 72
Athletic Bilbao 1
Aduriz 39

At La Rosaleda - Attendance 21,000

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

.......................................................................................

Match summary:
With the new manager in place at least until the end of the season, the Málaga fans were all hoping for a change in attitude from the players and a first victory in ten games. They were provided with both, as Málaga, with Bovio commanding play from the middle, took the game to their opponents right from the start, and won the game after being down to ten men (again). The side looked hungrier than of late against a defensive Bilbao, and deserved to take the lead on the half hour when a Hildago free kick on the left was headed home by Litos. The advantage only lasted nine minutes, when Bilbao themselves scored from a set piece. A free kick was sent to the far post, LLorente headed back across the face of goal for unmarked Aduriz to nod in. Málaga though kept up the pace and had a goal disallowed by a more eager looking Salva. It's not clear if the ref disallowed the goal for Salva pushing his marker (no evidence of that) or Edgar behind him obstructing the keeper (more plausible from tv footage).

The writing looked on the wall as Bilbao seemed to gain the upper hand once Málaga went down to ten men. Hildago was sent off for two awful tackles withing 3 minutes of each other. Despite that, Málaga were in front again only minutes later. Navas was brought on to shuffle the defence around while Hildago lined up another free kick, this time from the right. He swung the ball in for Salva to fly in and head into the corner, sending the home fans wild. There were another couple of chances to extend the lead before a nail-biting last few minutes as Málaga defended like they haven't done for weeks, and the ref was not fooled towards the end by Yeste's dive in the area. But the home side held on, and at the final whistle the crowd reacted like a cup had been won, you could feel the relief all round. The next two matches are crucial against fellow relegation battlers Alavés away and Mallorca at home.

.......................................................................................

Division 2 - Sun 5th February
Ciudad Murcia 5
Esteban 10, Luque 16, Mané 39, Raúl Medina 50, Cuevas 54
Málaga B 0
-

Málaga B fixtures & results

Málaga

Arnau
Nacho
Alexis
Litos
Gerardo
López
Hildago
Bóvio
Edgar
Couñago
Salva

Subs:
Gabriel for López 62
Navas for Couñago 72
Rodríguez for Bóvio 86

Yellow cards:
López 38

Litos 60
Arnau 79
Salva 81

Red cards:
Nacho
(2 yellows) 66 & 69

Athletic Bilbao

Lafuente
Lacruz
Prieto
Orbaiz
Amorebieta
Yeste
Iraola
Gurpegi
Ustaritz
Llorente
Aduriz

Subs:
Dañobeitia for Llorente 51
Urzáiz for Aduriz 64
Tiko for Prieto 76

Yellow cards:
Orbaiz 28

Yeste 79
Lacruz 82

 
 
La Liga Primera - Sun 29th January
Espanyol 3
Tamudo 9, 20, Luis García 31
Málaga 1
Alexis 39

At Olympic Stadium - Attendance 14,250

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

.......................................................................................

Match summary:
It was a cold weekend that saw snow on the hills behind the city of Barcelona for the first time in donkey's years, but thankfully the sun appeared for sunday afternoon which helped ease the pain (not much though) of watching Tapia's last stand and a woeful first half performance that could have seen us 4-1 down had it not been for a good penalty save by Arnau. The players didn't look interested as the home side took them apart, and were 3 up with ease after half an hour, with simple goals as a result of non existant marking. Tamudo scored two and Luis García bagged the third.

Málaga managed to pull one back out of the blue before half time when Alexis cracked in a 40 yard screamer. Espanyol took their foot off the pedal in the second half and Málaga were allowed more of the ball, Bovio showed what he can do from long range with two great shots from 25 yards just after the restart, one that dipped and was touched over the bar by the keeper, the other just flying past the post. Morales was brought on to try and make a difference, but this time he was totally ineffective. The hope petered out and the 15 Málaga supporters that made the trip just wanted to get back to a warm bar somewhere and hope the club would finally take action and make a management change, which was done the next morning.

.......................................................................................

Division 2 - Sat 29th January
Málaga B 1
Andreu 72
Hércules 1
Toché 67

Málaga B fixtures & results

Espanyol

Iraizoz
Lopo
Domi
Jarque
Moisés
Costa
De la Peña
Ito
Juanfran
Luis García
Tamudo

Subs:
D García for Luis García 63
Coro for Domi 70
Jofre for Juanfran 83

Yellow cards:
Domi 25

Luis García 71

Málaga

Arnau
Gabriel
Sanz
Litos
Juan Rodríguez
Alexis
Gerardo
López
Bovio
Couñago
Salva

Subs:
Edgar for Sanz 45
Morales for Gabriel 54
Hildago for Couñago 75

Yellow cards:
Sanz 41

López 43
Litos 81

 
 
La Liga Primera - Sun 22nd January
Málaga 0
-
Celta Vigo 2
Núñez 46, Silva 70

At La Rosaleda - Attendance 20, 200

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

.......................................................................................

Match summary:
It wasn't quite the protest of last season when fans tried to storm the directors' box during and after the 5-1 home defeat to Sociedad that saw Málaga go into the Christmas break facing a possible long hard relegation battle. Manzano was sacked and replaced by B team coach Tapia, who guided the side to safety over the rest of the season with relative ease. This time the team didn't put in the gutless display of last season, in fact created quite a few chances that they just couldn't put away again, but nevertheless went down 2-0 at home for the second week running and are now in the bottom three in the table. Sections of the crowd at La Rosaleda were again vainly calling for club president Serafín Roldán's head, and the white hankies were waved at the end in a half empty stadium, as the rest of the spectators had gone home well before the final whistle.

For once, Tapia started with a 442 formation, with Salva and Esteban up front, and Málaga had the better of the first half with Celta keeper Pinto having to make a couple of good saves. Brazilian Gabriel shone for the home side, being played on the left of midfield, while Baiano, a favourite at La Rosaleda last season with his goals that helped the climb up the table, had a disappointing exit for Celta, going off injured just after half an hour.

Málaga's defence was caught napping straight from the kick off of the second half when it only took Celta 18 seconds to score, right through the middle when Núñez strolled beween Gerardo and Nacho to slot home. Málaga's heads didn't drop though, and Couñago had come on at half time, and was linking up well with Gabriel. After hitting the bar and having a shout for handball in the area waved away, the chance of the game fell to Edgar. Gabriel played Couñago through down the left, he crossed to the far post to the unmarked Edgar, who only had to sidefoot the ball in, but the crowd were in disbelief as he put it wide. That let Celta off the hook and they took advantage of that when very slack defending and poor keeping allowed Silva to nod in with 20 minutes left, but that was game over. Morales had also been brought on in the 60th minute, but in doing so Tapia inexplicably took the one player who was worrying the visitors, Gabriel, back to right back position and out of the attacking frame.

So Tapia stays on for the time being, with the 'vote of confidence' from the president, unfortunately the fans, and it seems the players too, don't feel the same way.

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Division 2 - Sat 21st January
Málaga B 0
-
Xerez 0
-

Málaga B fixtures & results

Málaga

Arnau
Jesús Gámez
César Navas
Litos
Nacho
Alexis
Gerardo
Gabriel
Edgar
Esteban
Salva

Subs:
Couñago for Esteban 45
Hildago for Jesús Gámez
Morales for Litos

Yellow cards:
Jesús Gámez 45

Nacho 63

Celta Vigo

Pinto
Ángel
Sergio
Lequí
José Enrique
Núñez
Jorge
Oubiña
Siva
Canobbio
Baiano

Subs:
Guerrero for Baiano 34
Roberto for Sergio 61
Méndez for Núnez 71

Yellow cards:
Oubiña 38

 
 
La Liga Primera - Sun 15th January
Málaga 0
-
Cádiz 2
Medina 15, 36

At La Rosaleda - Attendance 22,500

League table - Full La Liga results and reports

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Match summary:
So once again Málaga had a player sent off and a dubious goal against, but there was nothing really 'dubious' about Medina's opening goal for Cádiz, it was blatent handball, and once again I fail to underdstand how everyone in a packed stadium can see incidents like this except the match officials. Having said that, Málaga cannot blame this for the result as they were truly awful, no shape, no tactics, no idea. One has to wonder if manager Tapia has done his time in charge, as his starting line ups, substitutions and tactics are very questionable amongst most supporters.

Once again Morales started on the bench and Edgar was played up front, just behind Salva. Only one of the new Brazilian signings, Gabriel, was in the line-up, with Bovio sitting it out with Morales. Cádiz, who brought around 1000 fans with them, were most definitely up for this against a clueless Málaga. They took the lead when the 'hand of god' came to visit La Rosaleda. A free kick on the left was swung in by Sesma, Medina jumped with Alexis and his outstreched arm caught the ball and sent it bouncing down, then up over Arnau into the goal. Every Málaga player and supporter screamed "mano!" but the ref signalled the goal to the Cádiz players surprise as well it seemed. Virtually the whole home side and officials surrounded the linesman and it was inevitable that there were bookings.

This unsettled Málaga, but instead of putting it behind them and knuckling down, they carried on playing with lack of shape and ideas, there was only one goalscoring attempt in the whole of the first half, a long range effort from Gerardo that the keeper Armando did very well to save and tip round the post. Cádiz's continual lively effort was rewarded after 35 minutes when again Medina scored, legitimately this time. A slip by Rodríguez in midfield seemed to open play up for Mirosavljevic to feed through to Medina who lobbed the ball over the outcoming Arnau and it dropped just inside the post.

At half time, Tapia took off Jesus Gámez and Navas and replaced them with Morales and López. Morales looked lively and threatening with a couple of excellent runs down the right, but that was all we were treated to as in the 57th minute, Málaga went down to the what seems to now be the customary ten men. Sub López was booked for a clumsy tackle, but he had already been booked whilst on the bench in the first half, for protesting to the linesman, so a red card was shown. This killed off any Málaga hope really, and not much happened for the remainer of the match apart from streams of fans leaving with 15 minutes to go, and the Cádiz fans and Hinchas praising each other and their clubs. Málaga are now 17th, one place above the relegation zone but on the same points as Mallorca below them.

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Division 2 - Sun 22nd January
Numancia 2
Pineda 79, Miguel 89
Málaga B 1
Usero 5

Málaga B fixtures & results

Málaga

Arnau
Jesús Gámez
César Navas