Málaga: Kameni; Rosales, Luis Hernández, Demichelis, Juan Carlos; Camacho, Pablo Fornals; Javi Ontiveros (Duda 72’), Juanpi, Chory Castro (Keko 65’); Michael Santos (Charles 60’). 4-2-3-1.
Espanyol: Diego López; Marc Navarro, David López, Diego Reyes, Aarón Martín; Javi Fuego, Jurado (Oscar Duarte 92’); Hernán Pérez (Marc Roca 61’), Reyes (Caicedo 74’), Piatti; Gerard Moreno. 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
0-1. 17. Piatti. Picked up Reyes pass and fired long shot wide of Kameni.
Yellow cards: Hernán Pérez 33’, Demichelis 41’, Piatti 52’, Marc Roca 70’, Diego López 89’.
Espanyol beat Málaga 0-1 in the early kick-off on Saturday to move to within two points of the European spots, a third victory in a row for Quique Sánchez Flores’ side. Visiting keeper Diego López had to save from Juanpi and Michael Santos early on, but soon afterwards Piatti gave the Catalans the lead with a shot from outside of the area which bounced past Kameni in to the net. Diego López had to save twice again from Juanpi either side of half time, and Camacho and Charles also wasted chances, but Gato Romero’s team were unable to avoid another defeat which leaves them down in the lower reaches of the table after eight games without a win.