Another Andalusian derby at La Rosaleda stadium, between the Malaguistas and the Béticos, began with Málaga dominating game play and opportunities. Amongst them, a shot from Santi Cazorla following a good move from Isco who also managed to cause some danger around the rival’s goal. A header by Rondón, after a pass from the right, was one of the numerous Malaguista chances that was unable to be converted.
The first half turned out to be fairly repetitive, with Málaga controlling possession and a well-equipped Betis on the counter-attack - this tactic was, it appeared, the team’s only strategy to target Carlos Kameni’s goal. Kameni was making his La Rosaleda debut as a Malaguista goalkeeper.
However, it was Betis who were able to use their armoury, specifically their set pieces, and they managed to secure an unfairly deserved two-goal lead by the end of the first half. The first of them came after a free kick from Beñat on the left wing that found Rubén Castro who then fired the ball at point blank range, getting the first notch on the scoreboard in minute 38. The second Bético goal came just before the half time whistle blew: a corner from the right ended in a messy move in the penalty area that no player seemed able to control, until iDorado was able to score.
After the break, Málaga came out with one change: Duda who went on for Eliseu. The Portuguese player’s entrance coincided with a much more determined Málaga, who managed to create some great chances around the Bético goal area.
Duda himself kicked off the second half’s attempts at narrowing the gap on the scoreboard. The Malaguista wings were a hive of combinative activity with moves being alternated with those in the centre, and these included a great shot from Santi Cazorla, who almost overcame the rival’s goalkeeper, Fabricio.
With the second and third change, Málaga showed their offensive artillery: Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Diego Buonanotte went on the pitch, with a great header from the Dutchman just narrowly missing. The Blue and Whites approached the Betis penalty area continually, but luck was on the Green and Whites’ side, plus Fabricio was playing well, which was clear when he saved a brilliant shot from the Argentinean-born forward, Diego Buonanotte.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men tried everything they could but each approach was knocked-back by Betis and the minutes passed by in favour of the Green and Whites. And despite Málaga’s many offensive opportunities, at the end of the match the scoreboard remained the same as it did at the end of the first half: 0-2. This means Málaga continue with 47 points, maintaining their fourth position on the table whilst other teams who are competing for the same objectives as the Malaguistas complete their respective 31st games.
Match details:
Málaga CF: Kameni; Jesús Gámez, Mathijsen, Weligton, Monreal; Isco, Demichelis, Cazorla, Eliseu; Seba Fernández (Van Nistelrooy 59’) and Rondón.
Real Betis Balompié: Fabricio; Nelson, Amaya, Dorado, Nacho; Pereira, Beñat (Iriney 52’), Cañas, Jefferson Montero (Juanma 58’); Rubén Castro and Roque Santa Cruz (Matilla 78’)
Goals:
0-1 (38’): Rubén Castro.
0-2 (45’): Dorado.
Referee:
Teixeira Vitienes, F. Colegio Cántabro:: Yellow cards for the homes side’s Weligton; and the visitors’ Nacho, Dorado, Nelson and Fabricio.
Notes:
The 31st match of the BBVA League at Málaga’s La Rosaleda stadium.
The first half turned out to be fairly repetitive, with Málaga controlling possession and a well-equipped Betis on the counter-attack - this tactic was, it appeared, the team’s only strategy to target Carlos Kameni’s goal. Kameni was making his La Rosaleda debut as a Malaguista goalkeeper.
However, it was Betis who were able to use their armoury, specifically their set pieces, and they managed to secure an unfairly deserved two-goal lead by the end of the first half. The first of them came after a free kick from Beñat on the left wing that found Rubén Castro who then fired the ball at point blank range, getting the first notch on the scoreboard in minute 38. The second Bético goal came just before the half time whistle blew: a corner from the right ended in a messy move in the penalty area that no player seemed able to control, until iDorado was able to score.
After the break, Málaga came out with one change: Duda who went on for Eliseu. The Portuguese player’s entrance coincided with a much more determined Málaga, who managed to create some great chances around the Bético goal area.
Duda himself kicked off the second half’s attempts at narrowing the gap on the scoreboard. The Malaguista wings were a hive of combinative activity with moves being alternated with those in the centre, and these included a great shot from Santi Cazorla, who almost overcame the rival’s goalkeeper, Fabricio.
With the second and third change, Málaga showed their offensive artillery: Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Diego Buonanotte went on the pitch, with a great header from the Dutchman just narrowly missing. The Blue and Whites approached the Betis penalty area continually, but luck was on the Green and Whites’ side, plus Fabricio was playing well, which was clear when he saved a brilliant shot from the Argentinean-born forward, Diego Buonanotte.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men tried everything they could but each approach was knocked-back by Betis and the minutes passed by in favour of the Green and Whites. And despite Málaga’s many offensive opportunities, at the end of the match the scoreboard remained the same as it did at the end of the first half: 0-2. This means Málaga continue with 47 points, maintaining their fourth position on the table whilst other teams who are competing for the same objectives as the Malaguistas complete their respective 31st games.
Match details:
Málaga CF: Kameni; Jesús Gámez, Mathijsen, Weligton, Monreal; Isco, Demichelis, Cazorla, Eliseu; Seba Fernández (Van Nistelrooy 59’) and Rondón.
Real Betis Balompié: Fabricio; Nelson, Amaya, Dorado, Nacho; Pereira, Beñat (Iriney 52’), Cañas, Jefferson Montero (Juanma 58’); Rubén Castro and Roque Santa Cruz (Matilla 78’)
Goals:
0-1 (38’): Rubén Castro.
0-2 (45’): Dorado.
Referee:
Teixeira Vitienes, F. Colegio Cántabro:: Yellow cards for the homes side’s Weligton; and the visitors’ Nacho, Dorado, Nelson and Fabricio.
Notes:
The 31st match of the BBVA League at Málaga’s La Rosaleda stadium.
