Málaga: Willy Caballero; Jesús
Gámez, Demichelis, Mathijsen, Eliseu; Toulalan, Duda (Maresca 78');
Joaquín (Seba Fernández 87'), Baptista, Cazorla; Van Nistelrooy
(Rondón 63'). 4-2-3-1.
Athletic: Iraizoz; Gurpegui,
Ekiza, Javi Martínez; Iraola, Iturraspe (David López 64'), De
Marcos; Susaeta (Igor Martínez 56', Toquero 70'), Muniain, Gabilondo;
Llorente. 3-3-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 61. Cazorla. Curled free kick over defensive
wall in to near top corner of net.
Yellow cards: Iturraspe 60', Cazorla 75', Toquero 83', Javi Martínez 88'.
Málaga are a clear candidate for the top spots this year, and they are currently lying second after a 1-0 win over an Athletic Bilbao side who find themselves down in the relegation zone. The Andalusians started strongly, Eliseu firing a shot over the top after Duda put him through in the first minute, and Baptista rattling the bar with a free kick soon afterwards. Athletic are still finding their way under new coach Bielsa, and with a 3-3-3-1 formation they still looked a bit lost, their only chances a shot wide from Muniain and a Susaeta free kick which Caballero dealt with easily. After the restart Joaquín went close again, and with an hour on the clock Cazorla curled a free kick wide of Iraizoz to give the locals the lead, the third he has scored this season fron dead ball kicks. Caballero still had a couple of saves to make, but Cazorla and Baptista could have wrapped things up with a couple of dangerous free kicks late on. For a couple of hours though before Valencia and Barça played, Málaga were on top of the pack. The Guiri Army are going to enjoy themselves this season!