Málaga CLUB de FÚTBOL

Málaga CF lose to League champions (4-1)

Málaga CF arrived at the Nou Camp with a guaranteed place in the Europa League, but with the intention of securing sixth place against the 2012/13 League champions.  From the very first minute of play, it was clear that Barça weren’t going to make it easy for the visitors, in their quest to reach the 100-point mark.  An early goal by David Villa (3^rd minute) made things even more tricky for the ‘Malaguistas’.

Willy was unable to save the Villa goal, following a pass from Pedro.  As expected, Barcelona dominated control of the possession at their home ground, with Málaga CF struggling without taking control of the ball.  Fifteen minutes into play and Barcelona were 3-0 up, with goals from Villa, Fábregas and Montoya.

From this point on Málaga appeared to breathe new life into the game.  The Blue and Whites began to create clear goal opportunities, causing trouble for Barça keeper, Pinto.  A Joaquín corner in the 21^st minute led to a near miss for Santa Cruz, and eight minutes later Baptista just missed out on the first Málaga goal, following impressive play from the Blue and Whites.

Despite this improvement, the score board remained the same, with the result at 3-0 after 45 minutes.  Manuel Pellegrini changed the team around in the second half, bringing on Pedro Morales in place of Roque Santa Cruz.

The second half got underway with Julio Baptista and Pedro Morales determined to score.  However it was the home side who scored next, with a goal from Andrés Iniesta in minute 51.  Minutes later a promising pass from Jesús Gámez led to the first Málaga goal of the game, by Pedro Morales in the 55^th minute.

Pellegrini brought on Seba Fernández in place of Joaquín, who was given a standing ovation at the Nou Camp, and introduced Javier Saviola in substitution of Isco.  Baptista came close to scoring Málaga’s second goal following a corner kick, but Pinto dashed the Blue and Whites’ hopes.

The score board stayed the same for the remainder of the last 2012/13 match of the season, an historic year for the ‘Malaguistas’.

Match stats:

FC Barcelona – Málaga CF

FC Barcelona: Pinto, Piqué (Abidal, 75’), Fábregas, Xavi, Villa (Villa, 78’), Iniesta (Thiago, 54’), Mascherano, Sergio, Pedro, Jordi Alba and Montoya

Málaga CF: Willy, Jesús Gámez, Lugano, Weligton, Eliseu, Camacho, Toulalan, Joaquín (Seba, 70’), Isco (Saviola, 78’), Baptista and Santa Cruz (Pedro Morales, 45’)

Goals: 1-0, David Villa (3’) 2-0, Fábregas (13’) 3-0, Montoya (15’) 4-0, Iniesta (51’) 4-1, Pedro Morales (55’)

Referee: Miguel Ángel Ayza Gámez.  No cards were awarded in this match.

Information:  38th BBVA League match, the last of 2012/13.