Málaga 0 -
Villarreal 2
Málaga: Arnau;
Gerardo, César Navas, Fernando Sanz, Valcarce; Juanito, Romero; Edgar
(Michel 68'), Miguel Angel, Duda (Tote 78'); Fernando Baiano (Wanchope 68').
4-2-3-1. Villarreal: Reina; Javi Venta, Quique Alvarez, Gonzalo
Rodríguez, Arruabarrena; Riquelme, Marcos Senna (Peña 86'),
Josico, Sorín (Cazorla 30'); Figueroa, Diego Forlán
(Héctor Font 79'). 4-4-2.
Team changes: Málaga:
Edgar for Alexis / Villarreal: Arruabarrena, Riquelme for Héctor Font,
Cazorla.
Goals: 0-1. 63.
Riquelme. Shot from edge of area after César Navas failed to clear
cross. 0-2. 66. Cazorla. Picked up ball in midfield and fired long shot
over head of Arnau.
Villarreal moved level with
Sevilla in joint third spot after beating Málaga 0-2, a match which
Pellegrini's side could really have lost had the home side had more luck. The
Andalusians actually hit the woodwork four times during the game, Juanito
firing an early shot against the post shortly after Arnau had saved from
Figueroa at the other end. And visiting keeper Reina saved the day twice either
side of half time, on both occasions tipping free kicks from Duda against the
crossbar.
The locals were left with
ten men though when Romero picked up a second booking early in the second half,
and Villarreal took advantage to score twice in three minutes, Riquelme
starting things off with a low shot from the edge of the area after
César Navas could only clear Cazorla's cross as far as the Argentine
midfielder. And Cazorla himself scored the second with a long shot which flew
over the head of Arnau, a carbon copy of the goal he scored a week before
against Getafe. To add insult to injury, Duda hit the bar again from close to
goal near the end. It was definitely not their night, but at least with
Mallorca only drawing they are mathematically sure of staying up.
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