Málaga CLUB de FÚTBOL

Málaga CF gains a point in tonight’s derby (0-0)

The match got off to a very intense start at the Martiricos Stadium.  The ‘Malaguista’ fans were going wild in the stands in support of the Blue and Whites, and a minute into play a hand ball was called by Coke following an action by Joaquín inside the penalty area.  On top of the pressure on both teams to win, the match got underway under a cloud of controversy.
 
With Joaquín on the left wing, the Blue and Whites’ confidence began to grow as they moved up the pitch.  However it was Sevilla who created the first goal opportunity eight minutes into play, but Negredo failed to reach the pass from Rakitic.  Camacho was quick to retaliate with a header from a set piece, but couldn’t find the goal.  The first few minutes of the derby involved a lot of give and take from both sides, with neither taking many risks on the attack.

A promising pass from Perotti on the left in the 13^th minute set up a good ball for Rakitic, however the striker subsequently headed the ball way over the crossbar.  Camacho again tried his luck on the counter-attack from outside the penalty area following a pass from Julio Baptista, but again the ball went wide of the goal.

Kameni’s reflexes were tested in minute 25 with a shot at goal from Coke outside the six-yard box, which was then replicated by Pedro Morales who put too much strength behind the ball and missed the target.  The Chilean-born player then surprised Sevilla keeper, Beto with another shot from the right wing, resulting in a corner.

Extra time before the half-time whistle resulted in a Málaga CF injury, with Pedro Morales substituted by Duda.  After 45 minutes the scoreboard was level at 0-0, following a very balanced first half with both teams creating equal goal chances.

The ‘Malaguistas’ didn’t get off to the best start in the second half, with Eliseu forced to abandon play a minute in due to injury.  He was substituted by Antunes.

Following two Sevilla free kicks, in minute 54 a Cala set piece looked set to open the scoring, but an impressive save by Kameni kept the scoreboard level.  Unai Emery’s Sevilla were determined to take the initiative following Málaga’s two injured players having to leave the pitch, and a number of controversial decisions made by the referee.

The Blue and Whites began to cause some trouble for goalkeeper Beto, and in the 61st minute a pass from Joaquín on the right set up a shot for Duda in front of the goal, but he sent the ball over the crossbar.  Manuel Pellegrini’s men were absolutely determined to get a goal in the second half.

The locals kept coming up against a very organised Sevilla, which impeded the usual rhythm of play for the ‘Malaguistas’.  A clear shot at goal for the visitors came in minute 75 with a Navas ball assisting in a promising header for Negredo to pass to Ratikic, however he missed the target by a mile.  Although seconds later another shot by Ratikic narrowly missed Kameni’s goal by mere centimetres.

Pellegrini’s men kept fighting until the end to get a much-needed goal and clinch the victory against Sevilla, who were keen to step up their defence against the determined local side.

The derby ended in a goalless draw and a point for Málaga in their ongoing fight to reach the Europa League.  The Blue and Whites’ next match takes place in two weeks’ time at La Rosaleda against Deportivo de la Coruña.


Match stats

MÁLAGA CF: Kameni, Jesús Gámez, Eliseu (Antunes, min. 46), Weligton, Lugano, Camacho, Iturra, Joaquín (Santa Cruz, min. 81), Pedro Morales (Duda, min. 44), Isco and Baptista.

SEVILLA FC: Beto, F. Navarro, Cala, Jesús Navas, Medel, Negredo, Perotti (Del Moral, min. 58), Rakitic, Kondogbia (Maduro, min. 86), Coke (Cicinho, min. 70) and Alberto.

REFEREE: Pérez Lasa (‘Colegio Vasco’).  Yellow cards were awarded to Isco (min. 35), Jesús Gámez (min. 39), Alberto (min. 49), Medel (min. 78), Baptista (min. 79) and Lugano (min. 85).

INFORMATION:  35th BBVA League match of the season, held at La Rosaleda in front of a crowd of 26,046.