Málaga CF was determined to take the initiative from the very first minute of play. Kick off was slightly later than Bernd Schuster’s men are used to, 10:30 p.m. local time, and 00:30 a.m. in mainland Spain. The setting could not have been better, the Mohamed V Stadium was full of excited fans, the majority who have been celebrating Ramadan.
Bobley Anderson’s former team, Wydad Casablanca got close to the goal area five minutes after kick off. Anderson, who received a great welcome from local fans during the warm-up, wasn’t part of Schuster’s starting-11, but did get a chance to play against his ex-team later in the game.
In the 10th minute, impressive play from Duda saw him reach the goal line to set up an excellent chance for Fabrice, who smashed the ball into the back of the net. Málaga were 0-1 up, the second goal for the young Málaga CF reserve player.
Kone Bakary from the Ivory Coast put Caballero to the test minutes later with a shot at goal from directly in front of the target. However it was little trouble for the Málaga keeper.
Fabrice had another shot at glory 20 minutes into the match. His attempts to surprise the rival keeper with a long ball looked promising, but Lamyaghri managed to prevent a second Blue and Whites’ goal. Antunes launched another long shot at goal five minutes later, but again the Casablanca goalkeeper prevented a second Málaga goal.
Málaga maintained the level of attack, and a good display on the left wing in minute 27 saw Fabrice trying to find Seba, who showed great control around the penalty area. However his powerful shot at the target slowed down in pace and was easily saved by the Wydad keeper.
The local team, coached by former RCD Mallorca keeper in the 80’s, Zaki Badou, worked well with the ball, but failed to create any real goal opportunities. Thirty minutes in and Fatha came close to an equaliser, but was unable to break down the mighty Willy defence. Minutes later, much to the crowd’s delight at the Mohamed V Stadium, the ball landed with Ijrouten in front of Willy’s goal, but collided with the near post.
Another chance for Málaga CF came in the 40th minute. Following an excellent combinative display between Fabrice, Seba and Roque, Santa Cruz made his way to the goal area, but the Casablanca defence sent the ball to a corner. Two minutes later, and again following an impressive show on the right wing, Jesús Gámez tried his luck at goal but hit the near post, leaving another chance for Santa Cruz who also missed the target by a whisker.
Anderson joined the Blue and Whites in the second half, the player and local hero who all the fans wanted to see. Pawlowski made his debut on Schuster’s team too in the second half, after he joined the Málaga CF ranks last week.
A pacey display from Fabrice led to an early shot at goal in the second half, but was saved by the Wydad Casablanca keeper. It was the local side who had the next opportunity to score; Ijrouten forced a double save from Willy from just outside the six-yard box.
The match lost a certain degree of rhythm as time went on, as did the fans, who didn’t appear to have the same excitement and motivation as at the beginning of the game. A chance for Lakhal in minute 72 didn’t really improve the mood of the fans; nor a shot at goal from Sebaihi minutes later. Casablanca did however step up a gear towards the final minutes of play, but it was the Blue and Whites who came close to scoring. Quick-thinking by Morales set up a chance for Pawlowski, however the ball went way over the crossbar.
Wydad could have equalised just before the final whistle, but a promising header from Ayoub couldn’t make it past Willy. Just before full time, Sebaihi had the home side’s last chance to equalise, but he sent the ball into the clouds.
Málaga CF won by 0-1, and was the superior side throughout the game, against a rival who perhaps lacked a stronger attack to really get into the match.
WYDAD CASABALANCA: Lamyaghri, El Khakiqi, El Msane, El Amrani, Rami, Fatah, Berrabah, Kone Bakary, Fabrice and Ijrouten. Jawad, Omar, Lakhal, Atouchi, Sebaihi, Youness and Ayoub also played.
MÁLAGA CF: Caballero, Jesús Gámez, Angeleri, Weligton, Antunes, Tissone (Camacho, min. 46), Duda (Anderson, min. 46), Portillo (Pedro Morales, min. 46), Fabrice (Samu, min. 72), Seba (Pawlowsy, min. 46) and Santa Cruz (Sergi Darder, min. 72).
GOAL:
0-1: Fabrice (min. 10).
REFEREE: Redouane Jalid. Yellow cards were awarded to Jesús Gámez (min. 83), Camacho (min. 85), Lakhal (min. 90) and Samu (min. 94).
INFORMATION: Friendly match held at the Mohamed V Stadium in front of 40,000 fans. Málaga CF wore the away strip; navy blue shirt, shorts and socks. It was a pleasant 24 degrees Centigrade for the match, in which a fluorescent yellow ball was used in play. Málaga CF’s Pawlowski made his debut.
