Málaga 2-Athletic Club 1: Empty handed

Athletic Club returned home empty handed after losing to Málaga by 2-1 in a match with few goal-scoring opportunities. What’s more, it could be said that both sides gave a weak performance throughout the tie. Both teams needed the win, however, Málaga were more accurate when it came to their tactical game, which enabled them to take home the three precious points.

At the beginning of the encounter it seemed that Athletic Club were going to win the match or at least that’s the impression that the team gave as shown by Lacruz, who took a shot at goal from a foul in the 2nd minute and then 2 minutes later when Aduriz gave Arnau a work out. However, gradually and without having performed any miracles, the opponents took over the encounter while our team found it difficult to invade rival territory.

In spite of all their efforts, the host team did not look dangerous in attack with the exception of a shot at goal taken under pressure by Edgard in minute 6 of the game and another shot at goal this time by Couñago in the 21st minute, both of which were caught easily by Lafuente. It was one of those encounters in which both teams seemed to be afraid and in which the smallest thing could determine the outcome of the match. In the 30th minute Litos, who had intercepted a foul shot, scored the first goal of the match with a header and, it was obvious that our team were lacking in ideas that could have meant a change to the trend of the match. Some could not wait for the half time break so that they could get thoughts together but there was still so much more left in the first half.

Our team, who were dressed in black, tried their luck in the 36th minute when Gurpegi took a shot at goal which went over the crossbar, the player was insulted by some people in the stands once more and to no surprise the referees and committees chose to turn a blind eye again. The equalizing goal came in the 40th minute, a foul shot taken by Yeste was kicked towards the centre of the goal area by Llorente and Aduriz headed the ball into the back of the net easily, this being his third goal the season.

In the 43rd minute the referee called foul and the goal scored by the locals was annulled. In the 46th minute an Antonio López header went high. The (1- 1) draw before the break seemed fair if we consider the ups and downs of the match.

Málaga came onto the field less energized than they had in the first half and even though Athletic tried to create more opportunities they simple couldn’t finish them off. In fact, the first goal-scoring opportunity on behalf of either team came in minute 65 of the game when Orbaiz’s shot at goal just missed, after the player had taken a long shot from the centre of the field. By then both coaches had decided to make some changes. Clemente sent Dañobeitia in for Llorente in the 51st minute, and made Aduriz play in the centre forward position while Dañobeitia went to cover the right flank. Hierro sent Gabriel in to replace Antonio López. Gabriel was sent to the extreme right wing and Edgard went to cover the left. Urzaiz stepped in for Aduriz ten minutes later.

In a matter of a few minutes, more or less, the outcome of the match had already been determined. Nacho received a yellow card for a nasty tackle to Iraola in minute 67 of the game and two minutes later got another yellow card for tripping Dañobeitia. It seemed as though the red-white victory was near, however, both teams were even in the tactical department. Hierro took three minutes to send in the centre, César Navas to replace Couñago and whilst this was happening Salva jumped well, although as always using his arms to propel himself in an upwards direction. A two to one ratio and this always causes so much pointless discussion as to whether or not our players were containing their counterparts or whether the goalkeeper should have stayed in the goal area.

There was still twenty minutes left but the runs did not last more than 30 seconds and
Málaga used all the tools in the shed to maintain their lead on the scoreboard. The worst part of it all being the penalty against Yeste, who now has a total of five yellow cards.

Whoever plays next Saturday, eleven lions are needed to beat Real Madrid. Not to mention thousands of supporters, we have no alternative but to win.