Dec
7
A Sergi Darder screamer and a fine performance from goalkeeper Carlos Kameni gave Malaga a 1-0 win away to Deportivo at the Riazor.
Photo courtesy of Diario Sur
The three points send Malaga level on points with Valencia at least for 24 hours while Depor stay in the bottom three albeit rather unluckily as they deserved something from this game.
It was a bright start to this encounter with both sides setting their stall out to attack in the opening periods. A succession of corners for Malaga caused some havoc early on but it was Wilk who had the first shot of the game but he pulled it wide from the edge of the box. Depor threatened again soon after, Jose Rodriguez sent Helder Postiga through on goal but the striker was brought down by Kameni as he knocked the ball past the keeper and a penalty was awarded. Ivan Cavaleiro’s spot kick was palmed away though to keep the score level.
Kameni came to Malaga’s rescue again on 20 minutes as Postiga was lurking with intent and he capitalised on Angeleri’s slip in the box but his effort from close range was pushed wide. Against the run of play the visitors took the lead and in some style through Sergi Darder. The midfielder took one touch to set himself then sent a magnificent curling attempt into the bottom corner from 30 yards after a poor kick-out from Fabricio. The remainder of the half was even with few chances of note. The best opportunity was carved out by Samuel who shuffled the ball on to his left foot inside the box but couldn’t find the bottom corner with his drive.
Three minutes into the second half the hosts were up the attacking end of the pitch but their luck in front of goal was out as Cavaleiro’s shot following a free kick came back off the inside the pots as Kameni was beaten and Malaga scrambled the loose ball away from danger. The Portuguese striker was in the thick of it once more as he rose highest to meet Medunjanin’s cross from the left wing but this time it was off target. Up the other end a Malaga counter attack led to a Camacho strike from 25 yards that nearly found the top corner. Depor’s early second half pressure began to wane and on 60 minutes Javi Gracia’s men had the ball in the net again as Weligton’s header from a set-piece found the bottom corner but it was ruled out for offside.
Victor Fernandez played all his cards by bringing on Cuenca, Toche and Dominguez and it was Toche who was immediately involved, meeting a superb Luisinho cross but Kameni again got a vital touch to prevent the striker. 20 minutes from time Duda had Malaga’s best chance in the second period, he was free inside the box but his left-footed effort rippled the side netting. The invincible Kameni did have a mistake in his locker, spilling Wilk’s shot from long distance but he atoned for his error by snuffing out Toche on the rebound as Depor’s dejection grew.
There was one last chance for the home side deep into injury time but much like the rest of this game they lacked composure in the final third, Cavaleiro’s dink cross found Juan Dominguez, he, however blazed this one over the bar.
Deportivo 0-1 Malaga
Referee: Gil Manzano
Deportivo La Coruña XI: Fabricio; Juanfran, Lopo, Sidnei, Insua (45′), Luisinho; J.Rodríguez, Wilk, Medunjanin (63′); Cavaleiro, Postiga (62′).
Subs: Lux, Manuel Pablo, Canella, Bergantiños, Juan Domínguez (63′), Cuenca (45′), Toché (62′).
Goals: N/A
Yellow Cards: Sidnei (60′), Cuenca (72′), Toche (86′)
Málaga XI: Kameni; Rosales, Angeleri, Weligton, Antunes; Camacho, Darder (84′); Samuel (55′), Duda (70′), Castillejo; Santa Cruz.
Subs: Ochoa, Horta (55′), Recio (70′), Boka (84′), Luis Alberto, Miguel Torres, Juanpi.
Goals: Darder (21′)
Yellow Cards: Kameni (11′), Antunes (23′), Camacho (49′)
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