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La Liga
Feb 21, 2015 at 3pm UK
 

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Juanmi (7')

Live Commentary: Barcelona 0-1 Malaga - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live commentary of the La Liga clash between Barcelona and Malaga at the Camp Nou.
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Barcelona welcomed Malaga to the Camp Nou on Saturday knowing that victory would move them top of La Liga.

Malaga led after just seven minutes when Juanmi latched onto a poor Dani Alves back-pass before sliding into an empty net.

Barca dominated possession throughout the match, but could not make the breakthrough as the visitors claimed an unlikely three points.

Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minuter-by-minute live commentary of the action below.


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Afternoon all!! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Malaga. Victory for the hosts would see them move above Real Madrid into first position and they will enter this match as the firm favourites against a Malaga side that has struggled for form in recent weeks.

Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.

TEAMS

BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Alba; Iniesta, Busquets, Rafinha; Messi, Suarez, Neymar

MALAGA: Kameni; Rosales, Angeleri, Weligton, Torres; Recio, Darder; Samuel, Horta, Castillejo; Juanmi


So there we have it. No real surprises in the Barca XI this afternoon, although Jeremy Mathieu starts at centre-back in place of Javier Mascherano, who is on the bench. Rafinha is also given a start in midfield alongside Sergio Busquets and the skipper Andres Iniesta, while the sensational trio of Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi continue in attack for the Catalan outfit - good luck Malaga!

Malaga, meanwhile, will seemingly start with a 4-5-1 formation at the Camp Nou. Juanmi will act as the lone forward for the visitors, but there are also starts for attackers Samu Castillejo and Samuel Garcia. It is an XI full of pace and youthful exuberance, which could cause Barca a lot of problems here.

These two sides have met on 27 occasions in Spain's top flight and to say that Barca have dominated those matches would be putting it very mildly indeed. The Catalan outfit have won 20 and lost just twice during that run of fixtures, while they are also unbeaten against Malaga in the league in over a decade – winning 16 times and drawing twice during that period. Taking it further, Barca have also won their last 12 home games against Malaga. Anyone for a home win here then?! I think there might be a few.

Since losing to Real Sociedad in their first match after the international break, Barca have won each of their 11 fixtures in all competitions. That run of form has seen them advance to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and move to within one point of the league leaders Real Madrid. Last time out, they thumped Levante 5-0 at the Camp Nou, with a certain Messi bagging yet another hat-trick.

Lionel Messi for Barcelona on February 1, 2015© Getty Images


Barca's home form in the league this season has been near-perfect, meanwhile, winning 10 of their 11 matches and losing just once - against Celta Vigo. What's more, they have scored 40 times at home and conceded just six. Their last two home league matches against Malaga have been fairly comfortable – winning 3-0 last season and 4-1 in the 2012-13 campaign. Could there be an upset here?

Malaga, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 defeat at home to Espanyol last time out. They have only won one of their last seven in the league, but overall, it has been a decent season for the club, with 35 points from 23 games leaving them in seventh position. They are six points off sixth-place Villarreal at this stage of the season, but six points clear of eighth-place Espanyol.

Malaga's away form this season, however, has not been too bad. In fact, it has been pretty good. They have won four of their 11 matches on the road, which is the same number that Champions League-chasing Villarreal and Valencia have managed on their travels. Overall, their home form has also been decent with six wins and just three defeats from 12 games. It has been a strong campaign.

Malaga's Brazilian defender Weligton celebrates with his teammates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Villareal CF vs Malaga at El Madrigal stadium in Villarreal on November 29, 2013© Getty Images


PREDICTION! In truth, I am finding it very, very difficult to make a case for Malaga here. The visitors have put in some excellent performances this season, but Barcelona are in such stunning form. It might be tight in the first period, but I fully expect the home side to win. Let's say 3-0 Barca.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Not a full house at the Camp Nou, but there is still a strong atmosphere as the visitors get the first 45 minutes underway.

As expected, it is the home side making the early running here, with Messi already involved down the left. The Argentine attempts to slide a pass into Suarez, but Weligton is across to make the challenge. You just get the feeling that the away side need to ride out the opening 10 minutes or so here.

Half-chance for the home side as Alba delivers a dangerous cross towards Messi, but the Argentine just cannot stretch. Moments before, Iniesta had attempts to find Neymar with a threaded ball. Malaga have been unable to make any impression on this match thus far, with the hosts dominating matters.

Some of the football from Barca has been really excellent in the opening six minutes, with Neymar and Suarez exchanging flicks outside the box. Malaga are camped inside their own half at the moment.

GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Malaga (Juanmi)

Would you believe it! Malaga break the deadlock at the Camp Nou as Juanmi races onto a long kick from his goalkeeper before rounding Bravo and finishing into the back of the net. It was a terrible mistake from Alves, however, who attempted to cushion the ball back to his goalkeeper, but left the Chilean extremely short and Alba could not match Juanmi's pace. Incredible start to this match!

Well, for the neutral, that goal is excellent news! Can Barca launch an immediate response?

Almost a horror moment for Malaga goalkeeper Kameni as the stopper fails to make proper contact on a cross from Messi, but it moves behind for a corner. The hosts threaten from the resulting set piece, but Weligton manages to clear a low effort from Rafinha. The tempo here is just sensational!

BOOKING! Rafinha (Barca) is booked for a late challenge on Recio.

Plenty happening in the Barca attack at the moment as the pressure continues to arrive down both sides, but Malaga have been able to repel the threat thus far. This is a cracking game at the moment.

Barca continue to dominate the possession, but Malaga are carrying a threat on the counter attack. I speculated whether their youthful exuberance could cause the home side problems and that has indeed been the case in the opening 16 minutes. However, there is still a long way to go here.

Messi bursts into life for Barca down the right, but his low cross is blocked and Malaga can catch their breath once again. The visitors attempt to break down the other end, but Barca quickly regain the ball as the next attack starts. The opening 18 minutes of this La Liga contest have just flown past.

The home side continue to dominate possession, but there is not too much to report in terms of chances, with Malaga fairly comfortable in dealing with the threat in the final third of the field.

Malaga's skipper Weligton has had a super opening 22 minutes here, with the Brazilian heading back to his goalkeeper to ease the pressure once again. The home supporters are doing their best to raise the atmosphere, but it seems to be spurring the away side on. Still Malaga lead 1-0 at the Camp Nou.

CHANCE! Barca come close to levelling the scores as Iniesta delivers a super cross towards Messi, but Torres manages to head clear ahead of the Argentine. It would have been a simple finish for the attacker had Torres not cleared the danger. The pressure, however, shows no sign of ending.

Barca continue to threaten in wide areas, but the quality from Alba and Alves has been really poor in the opening 26 minutes. Malaga are defending for their lives and it is working at the moment!

I still fully expect Barcelona to win this match, but it is difficult to deny Malaga their lead at this stage. Alves delivers another deep cross towards Messi, but Kameni watches it out for a goal kick.

Barca have a free kick in a dangerous area as Suarez is brought to the ground by Darder. Messi is standing over the set piece, but it is maybe just a little bit too far out...

... Messi takes the set piece, but his effort is just high of the crossbar.

Excellent goalkeeping from Kameni as the Malaga stopper plucks a cross from Alba out of the air before keeping it away from the waiting Messi. Malaga attempt to break down the other end, but their attack is short-lived as the home side regain the ball. Little over 10 minutes of the half remaining here.

CHANCE! Stunning chance for Malaga to score a second goal as another quick counter ends with Horta striking one towards goal, but Bravo is on hand to make the save. Darder also has an effort from the resulting corner, but it was always moving wide of the post. Malaga threatening here!

The referee has been busier than he would have liked in the last few moments following a number of late challenges, but for the most part, the official has allowed play to flow very well indeed here.

CHANCE! Wow - another chance for Malaga and again it is Horta, with the midfielder meeting a cross from Rosales, but his bicycle kick is straight at Bravo. Barca's defence is so shaky today!

Can Malaga keep hold of their lead until the interval? If Barca register before the break then you would have to seriously fancy them in the second period. Malaga are facing a massive end to this half.

Another half-chance for the home side as Messi finds the head of Iniesta with a floated cross, but his effort is straight into the arms of the waiting Kameni. It is non-stop Barca pressure at the moment, but they have not really created too many chances, which will not please head coach Luis Enrique.

Pass, pass, pass from Barca as they continue to dominate the ball, but Malaga have been sensational defensively this half and their rear-guard remains strong. Can they hold on in this first half?

Messi is again involved for the home side as he floats an excellent cross towards the head of Neymar, but Angeleri is on hand to clear. Malaga attempt to break, but they are crowded out in the final third. The home supporters are just getting a little impatient, which is not too much of a surprise.

HALF-TIME: Barcelona 0-1 Malaga

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Malaga leading 1-0 at the Camp Nou. This is not a mistake - Malaga are actually leading at the mighty Barcelona and they deserve it. The home side have dominated the possession, but have really struggled to create clear opportunities.

STATS! As mentioned, Barcelona have dominated the possession with 73%, while they have had six attempts - three of which have been on target. Malaga have also managed three attempts on target from six shots and they have arguably had the better opportunities. Surprisingly, there has also been just one yellow card, meanwhile, with Rafinha in the book for the home side early on.

BENCH WATCH! Barca boss Luis Enrique might already be considering changes and he has plenty of options in the shape of Pedro, Rakitic and Xavi. Malaga, meanwhile, have the likes of Duda, Javi Guerra and Tissone in reserve. Will either manager look to their bench at the interval here?

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Malaga pull off what would be an incredible result? We shall soon see as Barca restart proceedings here.


No changes from either manager at the break, which is not all that surprising. However, I suspect that alterations will occur - on both sides - if the score remains 1-0 for the next 20 minutes or so.

As expected, Barca have started the second period on the front foot. Neymar is down the left for the home side after good work from Rafinha, but his cross is headed clear by Weligton. Messi attempts to go through the middle moments later, but Recio is across to clear. All Barca at the moment.

Juanmi appears to have a problem for Malaga, with the Spaniard hitting the deck and staying there.

SUB! Malaga are forced into a change as Juanpi replaces Juanmi.

Another Barca set piece comes to nothing, which leads to Malaga forcing another counter, but Horta chips high and wide of the crossbar following a fast break. A second goal for the visitors would really give them something to hold onto in the second period. Still 1-0 Malaga with 52 minutes played.

The home side continue to dominate the possession, but they just cannot make the breakthrough where it matters as Messi is denied by Weligton following a clever flick from Neymar. Messi goes down outside the box moments later, but the referee is not interested and play continues. All-action stuff here!

CHANCE! Oh my word it is a horror moment for Horta! Malaga have another chance on the counter attack as Horta drives past Alba before releasing a shot, but his effort is terribly wide. Barca want a penalty down the other end moments later, but Neymar was offside when he went down.

Another half-chance for the home side as Messi sets up Iniesta, but his clipped header is just wide of the post. Still Malaga lead 1-0 with little over 30 minutes remaining. Can Barca respond?

Half-chance for Malaga this time as Rosales breaks forward from defence, but his low effort is wide of the post. The home side are down the other end moments later, but still there is no final pass as Malaga manage to clear once again. Surely Barca boss Enrique will be considering changes at this stage.

Malaga are such a threat on the counter attack at the moment and there is a serious chance of the visitors scoring a second here. Barca are preparing to make their first change as another corner from Malaga fails to bring an opportunity. There is still time for the home side to turn this one around.

BOOKING! Recio (Malaga) is booked for a late challenge on Messi.

SUB! Barca make their first change as Rakitic replaces Rafinha.

Little over 25 minutes of football remaining and still Malaga lead at the Camp Nou. It is a quite incredible turn-up, but you still get the feeling that there is something in this for Barca. Pedro would be the next obvious change from the bench, but Messi, Neymar and Suarez surely all have to stay on.

Pedro is warming up and the Spaniard could replace Suarez I am hearing...

SUB! Pedro does indeed enter, but it is for Iniesta. Four up top for Barca!

Barca might die here, but they are going to die trying, which is all you can ask sometimes. The pressure is increasing as the home side force two corners in quick succession, but Malaga clear their lines.

Pass, pass, pass from the home side as they continue to force the issue, but they just cannot find that final pass, which has been the problem all afternoon. Messi is at the heart of everything, but another clipped cross from the Argentine is cleared. Can Malaga maintain their concentration here?

My word the offside flag has been against Barca this afternoon. Rakitic combines with Messi, but the flag is raised and Malaga gain some respite once more. Mascherano will soon enter for Barca here.

SUB! Mascherano replaces Alves in Barca's final change.

Little under 15 minutes of football remaining and still, still Malaga lead 1-0. Barca have huffed and puffed, but they are running out of ideas. There is, however, still more than enough time here.

Barca are playing three at the back at the moment, but it could hurt them badly as Malaga continue to threaten on the counter attack. Horta remains a threat, but his latest cross is collected by Bravo.

ANOTHER offside call goes against Barca as Suarez is flagged. Malaga free kick.

SUB! Change for Malaga as Duda replaces Horta.

BOOKING! Pique (Barca) is booked for a high challenge on Samuel.

Barca surround the referee as the official decides to ignore a challenge from Duda on Neymar - it would have been a soft free kick. The noise is deafening inside the stadium at the moment.

Barca remain in control of the possession, but they are not exactly forcing chance after chance, with Malaga fairly comfortable in dealing with the danger. Is there to be a late sting in the tail here?

CHANCE! Pedro has the chance to level for the home side following a sweeping move, but the Spaniard hits the side netting from a difficult angle. Another chance comes and goes.

SUB! Malaga make their third change as Boka replaces Samuel.

BOOKING! Neymar (Barca) is booked for a late challenge on Darder.

Barca are not best pleased with the referee as the decisions continue to go for Malaga, but there is no use arguing at this stage. How much stoppage time will be added? Malaga are so nearly there.

Malaga win a free kick deep in the Barca half as we enter stoppage time here.

BOOKINGS! Alba (Barca) is booked for dissent. Moments later, Duda (Malaga) is also booked.

Perhaps one final change for the home side as Barca press forward, but we are into the third or four additional minutes here. Malaga are close to doing the unthinkable!

Suarez strikes one from a wide angle, but his effort is straight at the goalkeeper.

FULL-TIME: Barcelona 0-1 Malaga

Incredible. The referee brings the 90 minutes to a close with Malaga winning 1-0 at the Camp Nou. Did anyone see this result coming? Barca have missed the chance to move above Real Madrid into first. Wow - what an afternoon. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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