FCBARCELONA.CAT

30.10.2008 12:37

Málaga 12 points from last 12

Jesús Carrillo

Málaga are preparing to take on FC Barcelona on Saturday in La Rosaleda (8pm) and will be hoping to be able to continue chalking up points as they go into the game on the back of four successive victories.

The Andalucian outfit did make a poor start to the campaign as they lost their first game 4-0 against Atlético de Madrid in el Vicente Calderón. That was followed by a goalless draw in the game against Athletic Club in capital of the Costa del Sol before Almería earned all three points with a win that set alarm bells ringing at Málaga. Those sounded even louder when the team lost their next game 0-2 to Valencia.

No goals

That first home defeat brought about a moment of inflection as the club analysed how best to move forward. Coach Antonio Tapia gave a few players that had not had a chance until then an opportunity to prove themselves.

After four matches, Málaga were the only team in the Primera División that had failed to score a single goal. But the fifth game of the campaign changed that as a victory against Real Valladolid saw a comeback begin.

Bouncing back

The encounter with José Luis Mendilibar’s side was the start of the turnaround as Málaga won their first game of the season and finally found the net to raise spirits and confidence at the club. After almost 400 minutes without scoring, Lolo and Adrián netted and the first three points of the campaign were secured.

The biggest victory

In the Nuevo Colombino in Huelva, Málaga produced their best performance of the new season to date as they put in a very good performance to beat Recreativo 0-4 in their own stadium. Baha and Eli were the main protagonists in the emphatic win.

Getafe were next up for the Tapia’s men and things did not start well as Roberto Soldado put the Madrilenian outfit into the lead before Málaga mounted a great comeback to turn the game around and win 2-1.
Surprise win

Sevilla had begun the season in emphatic style with Manolo Jiménez leading the side on an unbeaten run that had people talking about their best days under Juande Ramos. But they had not bargained on a resurgent Málaga side spoiling things as they earned a 0-1 victory in the Sánchez Pizjuán last weekend.

The 13 points that Málaga have won has allowed them to stop worrying about going straight back down for now and there is a renewed confidence about the club, although staying up will remain the objective this term.