Marca Front Page

Salva called up to National Squad

The Spanish Sports Journal As has today reported that, after scoring 2 goals and 1 assist in 5 appearances, Malaga's striker Salva has been called up by Spanish coach Vicente Del Bosque. Del Bosque was quoted of saying in a press conference that he knew that Salva would bring alot of experience to the national squad and based on his appearances he deserved being called up.

The striker said after the Malaga vs AIK match, that he was really happy about being called up and that he will do his utmost to do well for the national team and make the Malaga fans proud

AIK vs Malaga 0 - 7 / Malaga vs River 4 - 0

A stunning display from Malaga in Sweden saw them come away with a 7 - 0 victory. There were debuts for Pablo Aimar and Obasi. Unfortunately for Aimar he had to go off injured after 30 minutes. The goals came from Bojan, Calleja, Luque, Apono, Helder Rosario, Obasi and Duda.

The Club physio's noted that Aimar will miss next week's match against River Plate.

Malaga continued their unbeaten run after beating River Plate 4 - 0. New signing Obasi strated the match and finsihed with 2 goals to his name. Bojan Kirkic did partner him upfront, and the wonderkid managed to score 1 aswell. The other goal came from Luque who scored from the penalty spot.

Transfer Round Up

With the January transfer window now closed, Spanish daily Marca reported a transfer roundup on Promotion Challengers Malaga. 'El Mago' may not have got his preferred players( Sunny, Demichelis and Miguel Veloso) but still managed to snap up 2 important players that will add spark to his side.

Nigerian striker Obasi, former Hoffenheim, signed a 5 year contract with the club, while talismatic playmaker Pablo Aimar was snapped up on a 21 weel loan deal. Midfielder Cheli was released after being considered surplus to requirements at La Rosaleda. Striker Nabil Baha may have done enough by scoring a hat trick as he managed to persuade his manager to keep him, although striker Adrian Lopez was sold to Sporting Lisbon for a fee considered in the region of 3 million.

Therefore we look forward to the start of the 2nd round to see these players link up with the rest of the squad.

Malaga vs Internacional 3 - 0 / Boca vs Malaga 2 - 2 / Malaga vs Grenoble 3 - 0

Malaga continued their unbeaten run after defeating Internacional at La Rosaleda. They started the match brightly and after 30 minutes Bojan headed home from an Apono cross. Bojan scored again 7 minutes later when Luque found Bojan and the latter placed a low shot in the bottom left hand corner.

In the second half Luque saw his shot go just wide and 6 minutes later he was brought down in the box and Sorondo was sent off. From the resuktant penalty Apono scored his 3rd goal of the season.

The club physio reported after the match that Luque had picked up an injury and will miss next match against Boca Juniors.

Week 16 saw Benfica and Sporting close the gap with Malaga to 5 points. Malaga travelled to La Bombonera and did not hesitate to go 2 - 0 up until half time with goals from Cuadrado and Adriano. Malaga were missing many first team players in the likes of Luque, Bojan, Jacobo and Helder Rosario.

In the second half Boca managed to pull one back through Palacio and in the last 3 minutes substitute Figueroa scored the equaliser to the surprise of the visiting fans.

In the last match of the first round, Malaga welcomed Grenoble in a match that saw Luque miss out due to him not being 100%. His replacement Baha lived up to expectations and scored a hat trick. The score could have been greater but Bojan missed a penalty. Therefore Malaga restored their 7 point lead at top after Benfica abd Sporting drew their respective matches.

Malaga vs AIK 3 - 0 / AIK vs Malaga 0 - 3 (CUP)

Malaga welcomed AIK to La Rosaleda, for the second round in the cup. The first round finished 0 - 0 after Malaga bombarded the AIK defence.

In the second half Malaga managed to turn their dominance into goals and after 10 minutes, defender Rosatto scored from the rebound after a Fernando shot. Malaga were awarded a penalty after a foul on Luque. which saw the AIK defender sent off and Fernando saw his penalty saved only to put it in the net from the rebound. Nacho finished the game off with a stunning flying header and made it 3 - 0.

In the second leg Malaga travelled to Sweden to defend a 3 goal lead. They did this in stunning display winning 3 - 0 away too. Goals from Nacho and twice from Luque who dribbled past the keeper on the two occasions.

Malaga vs Steaua 2 - 1 / Brondby vs Malaga 2 - 2

Malaga's wonderkid Bojan Kirkic stepped up and put in a man of the match performance by scoring the winner against Steaua. Luque had opened the scoring and just a few minutes later he hopped out of the ground injured. Salva came on and before half time Steaua scored the equaliser.

In the second half Bojan started showing some spark and he quickly had a couple of good shots, before netting the winner from a powerful shot from outside the area.

A surprise result for a match that had clear dominance. Again Bojan was there and netted twice but that was not enough to prevent Brondby from clinching a surprise point. Despite the draw Malaga stayed 5 points clear of their nearest 2 rivals, Internacional and Sporting Lisbon.

Malaga vs Sporting 2 - 1 / Cluj vs Malaga 2 - 3

Another top of the table clash this time Malaga faced Sporting Lisbon and dominated the match from the begining. Luque finished the match with two goals.

The 6th match of the season provided us with a stunning display. The match between Malaga and Cluj which saw Malaga travel to Romania. Cluj finished the match with two players sent off but this was not the main attraction in the match. Bojan had opened the scoring only to see his goal canceled by an equalising goal. On the 88th minute Salva scored from a placed shot after Duda's precise freekick finished in his legs. With the referee signalling 4 minutes of injury time, Cluj had a corner and defender Cadu headed home and so, many beleived that 9 man Cluj had saved the day, only to be stunned back after a good Nacho cross in the 93rd minute which found Salva who scored his second to make it 3 - 2 for Malaga.

Malaga vs Benfica 2 - 2

In a top of the table clash Malaga and Benfica shared the spoils. Malaga will certainly feel robbed after having the lead twice. Luque sat on the bench for the entire match with Salva taking up his place. Winger Eliseu put in a man of the match performance, scoring the first goal and bombarding the left flank with his pace and tricks. Nuno Gomes scored the first equaliser with a powerful shot from the six yard box.

One minute after the interval, Malaga won a penalty which Apono converted and gave Malaga the lead again. Only to be robbed back 10 minutes from time after Nuno Gomes scored again from the rebound.

Next up is another top of the table clash between Malaga and Sporting Lisbon.

Malaga Looking to bolster their squad

With the January transfer window a few weeks away, Malaga seem well aware of adding some spark to their team. The Spanish daily Marca reported that Malaga are intrested in signing Hoffenheim's Nigerian striker Obasi and Osasuna's talented midfielder Sunny.

They also reported that the Malaga coach will also be in the market for a defender whose name was not specified.

Malaga have been performing above expectations and find themselves at the top of the tabel and still unbeaten with the first round nearing an end.

Sunny of Osasuna

Obasi of Hoffenheim

Lorient vs Malaga 1 - 2 (2 - 5 Aggregate)

The second leg of the cup made Malaga travel to the south of France to defend a 3 - 1 lead on Lorient. Luque started the match alongside brazilian striker Adriano and he didn't hesitate to take the first shot of the match which was difficultly saved by the keeper. Just a few minutes after Lorient were presented with a controversial penalty. Defender Cuadrado said after the match that he never touched Gameiro and claimed that the striker is a diver. Abriel stepped up only to send it wide and miss the chance of taking control of the match. As the game was destined to remain 0 - 0 before half time, Luque smashed a low shot and scored in Injury time.

10 minutes after the begining of the second half, Lorient's Le Pen scored the equaliser but 10 minutes later Adriano regave Malaga the lead. Malaga continued to dominate the match and Adriano could have added a second. But it remained 2 - 1 and so Malaga progressed 5 - 2 on aggregate.

Next up in the cup Malaga face AIK of Sweden.

Malaga vs Lorient 6 - 2

La Rosaleda welcomed Lorient, in a match that Malaga clearly dominated winning 6 - 2. For the first time goalkeeper Jacobo Sanz and Luque sat on the bench and saw Bojan team up with Baha, with both strikers notching up one goal each. Cortes also missed out due to injury with Lolo taking over his place. The match started brightly for Malaga and after 3 minutes Bojan sliced the ball home which saw him score hid first of the season, but 10 minutes later Gameiro got the equaliser after yet another defensive blunder. 10 minutes before half time Marchal made an own goal after a Duda corner and gave Malaga the lead again. In stoppage time Helder Rosario was brought down and Apono saw his penalty go high in the stands.

In the second half, an exhausted Bojan was brought off and replaced by Luque who made his presence felt by scoring 2 goals. Meanwhile Gameiro had got another one back with a powerful strike from outside the area. On the 85th Baha was brought down in the box and again Apono stepped up this time making no mistake in making it 6 for Malaga.

Therefore Malaga remain undefeated after 3 matches and have 7 points from possible 9.

River Plate vs Malaga 1 - 1

The 2nd match of the season, which saw Malaga travel to Buenos Aires in Argentina and face River Plate. The match started badly for the visitors and after 8 minutes, their defence was caught napping and Gallardo slotted the ball home. As time went by Malaga got more in the game and a powerful shot by Eliseu was saved by Ojeda.

In the second half, Malaga went out looking for the goal and it finally came when Eliseu went past Ferrari, passed to Luque who dribbled past 2 defenders and made it 1 - 1. So had to be the result, even if Malaga looked more and more threatening as time went by. They could have easily won the match when a header from Luque was just saved by Ojeda. Despite the draw Malaga still managed to move one place up the table to second level on points with Romainians Cluj.

The club physio also reports that right-back Cortes had sustained an injury and will miss the next match against Lorient.

Malaga vs Lorient 3 - 1

Malaga started their Cup campaign at home against Lorient. They fielded several reserve players including the likes of Iban Cuadrado and Fernando who later on scored. They started on attacking and on 12 minutes Iban Cuadrado headed home from a Duda corner. Just a few minutes later Lorient hit back again Jacobo conceding from the rebound.

Just 3 minutes from the beginig of the second half and Portugese winger Eliseu smashed home after Cuadrado's header was pulled off the line. Malaga continued to look threatening and on the 86th minute versatile midfielder Fernando dribbled past 3 players, cutting into the six yard box and placing a cool shot past the opposing keeper Audard.

Next up for Malaga are River Plate at the Monumental Stadium.

Malaga vs AIK 2 - 1

Malaga started their season in the best way possible, securing a 2 - 1 victory in front of their own supporters againsy AIK. The first goal of the game came from Portuguese winger Eliseu who scored a stunning left footed shot from just outside of the box. Malaga continued pressing and a good header from their captain Duda was well saved by the opposing keeper. Just a few minutes from hal time AIK hit back. From the rebound, Tjernstrom scored in the empty net.

In the second half Malaga came out looking for the goal and it finally came when a quick one two between Luque and Bojan resulted in a placed shot by Luque to finish the game for AIK. Malaga continued to control the game until the fianl whistle.

Malaga: A Historical Club

In the early 2000s Málaga were a club rich in youth and top quality players, also boasting a more modern and developed stadium. Although they never pushed for a Champions League place, Málaga were always successful under the vastly popular Joaquín Peiró.

They shared the sole appearance and only official trophy, the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2002, beating Gent, Willem II and an improving Villarreal CF. Málaga's run in the UEFA Cup was an overachievement, which ended in the quarterfinals to Boavista FC's hands, after beating FK Željezničar Sarajevo, (who'd been eliminated from the Champions League by Newcastle United), Amica Wronki, Leeds United (after a 2-1 win at Elland Road, courtesy of 2 Julio Dely Valdés) and AEK Athens F.C., losing to Boavista on penalties.

After Peiró's retirement, Juande Ramos took over the helm and notably performed a resounding 5-1 home thrashing of FC Barcelona, the major result up to date of Málaga against this club, with a hat trick from loanee, Salva.

Since then, the city of Malaga has not been enjoying too much success in football and they are seeing this year as the best year to gain promotion. With the arrival of teenage sensation Bojan Kirkic from Barcelona on a Loan to Buy basis, Talented Goalkeeper Jacobo Sanz from Getafe and attacking right back Cortes who also comes from Getafe. The board and the manager beleive that with a string of good results and some luck against highly promotion contenders Sporting Lisbon and their City Rivals Benfica, the team can retain its position among the best La Liga. But the bookmakers thing otherwise and they are predicting Malaga to finish some points shy of Promotion due to the powerhouses of Benfica. Sporting Lisbon and The Argentines of Boca Juniors.