Malaga and Valencia played out an entertaining goalless draw to share the points from their Primera Division meeting at Estadio La Rosaleda this evening.
Both goalkeepers were on top form throughout the match, with Willy Caballero producing his best save eight minutes into the second half when he bravely denied Dani Parejo a golden chance.
The pick of the saves came from his opposition number, however, as Diego Alves threw himself to his left to tip Pablo Perez's flicked header wide of the post with under 15 minutes remaining in the match.
You can read how an absorbing 90 minutes unfolded with Sports Mole's live play-by-play coverage below.
Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's La Liga encounter between Malaga and Valencia. Both side are at opposing ends of a mid-table chunk of teams in the league, which means we could see some big movements in the table tonight.
Let's start by looking at our hosts tonight. Malaga will certainly have one eye looking tentatively over their shoulder at the bottom three going into this game. They are currently just four points clear of the relegation zone and, should results go against them this weekend, they could find themselves far too close for comfort.
That would be something of an unfamiliar position for Malaga, who reached the Champions League quarter-final last season and came within a whisker of making it into the last four. However, things are so tight in La Liga at the moment that the eye not looking at the relegation zone will be focused ambitiously up the table. There are a number of teams packed into a small space in the middle of the league at the moment, and a victory for Malaga today would see them climb six places into eighth, leapfrogging Valencia in the process.
However, winning is by no means a foregone conclusion for this Malaga side at the moment. They have had to adapt to losing Manuel Pellegrini as manager as well as a host of talented players, including Isco to Real Madrid, due to their drastic change in finances. Under the circumstances, you'd have to say that they've done OK so far, and moving up to eighth would certainly make the job done by Bernd Schuster look even better.
To win, though, Malaga need to score, and that is not something they have found easy of late. They have only netted 19 times in their 19 matches so far this season, a tally that is the fifth worst in the division. They have only scored more than two goals in a game twice in their league campaign, and their last four games have all finished 1-0, with Malaga winning two and losing the last two.
At the other end of the pitch, it is a different story entirely. Malaga have conceded just 25 times in the league this season, giving them the best defence outside the league's top five. A poor attack and a good defence makes for low-scoring matches overall and that has certainly been the case for the vast majority of Malaga's season. Unfortunately, I don't see tonight's game being much different.
However, one thing that we can't be sure of is exactly what Malaga will turn up. Schuster's side have been the picture of inconsistency so far this season, and nowhere is that more evident than in their home form. They have played nine times at Estadio La Rosaleda this season, winning four and losing five. Not exactly a fortress, then, but still a better source of points than their away form.
Valencia could soon be at the other end of the financial spectrum from Malaga. While tonight's hosts have recently lost a billionaire owner, Valencia could be about to gain one in the shape of Singaporean businessman Peter Lim. It would be a much-needed investment for the side, who have struggled for cash in recent years. There could be up to £50m available for transfers, it has been reported, which could be enough to help them launch a late push for European football next season.
It would take some effort to break into the top four this season, but that is where the owner will be looking. Valencia are currently 13 points behind fourth-placed Bilbao, so they may have to set their sights on the nine-point gap that separates them from sixth-placed Real Sociedad this year. Still, there is little doubt that a club of Valencia's stature should be competing in Europe regularly, and a cash injection could be just what is needed to make that happen once again.
Valencia are very much top of the middle pack in the league at the moment. They have scored the fewest goals in the top eight with 26 from their 19 games, but no side below them in the league has managed more. They would not be able to move up a position with a victory today, as seventh-placed Sevilla are currently seven points clear of them in the table.
Two major worries for Valencia this season are their defence and their away form. No team outside the league's bottom five has conceded more goals than Juan Antonio Pizzi's side this season, with 31 goals being scored against them in 19 games. They have also won just twice on their travels and have lost four of their last five league away games.
MALAGA STARTING XI: Willy; J.Gámez, S.Sánchez, Flávio, Antunes; Camacho, Tissone, Eliseu, Samu; Duda, Santa Cruz
VALENCIA STARTING XI: D. Alves; J. Pereira, R. Costa, Mathieu, Guardado; Jonas, O. Romeu, Parejo, Piatti; Banega, Alcacer
PREDICTION: Truth be told, I can't see too many goals in this one tonight. Valencia's defence is leaky, but they are lucky in that they are coming up against a strikeforce who have struggled to find the back of the net this season. Valencia are also in a relatively short supply of goals, so I certainly don't see a rout coming from either side this evening. If there is a winner, it is likely to be decided by the odd goal, but I am going to go for a draw. 1-1.
The most notable inclusion in the two teams is that of Banega for Valencia. His return should give them a bit more guile just behind the striker and he is as likely as anyone to create an opening this evening.
Valencia boss Pizzi will be looking to get back to winning ways tonight. He started his career perfectly with a victory over local rivals Levante before recording a respectable draw against a very strong Atletico Madrid side in the cup. He has lost his last two games in charge, however.
KICKOFF: Malaga get us started this evening they look to climb up the table with three points. Can they inflict a third consecutive defeat on Valencia or will it be the hosts who fall to a third loss in a row?
Bright start from Malaga as they work a bit of space to run into. Santa Cruz picks up the ball and sends a shot/cross cross towards goal that is comfortable for the keeper.
CHANCE! This has been a really good start from the hosts. Antunes bursts forward with a promising attacking run from left-back before playing it inside to Samu. The midfielder saw his first powerful effort well saved by the keeper before hooking a weaker rebound into the arms of Diego Alves.
It is good to see that Malaga don't seem to be affected by their recent troubles in front of goal at the moment. They have started this match looking to get forward at every opportunity and there is a level of urgency about the side which is making things difficult for Valencia.
Valencia string a good spell of passes together for the first time in the match, and it almost gives them a decent sight of goal. Paco Alcacer was left one-on-one with a defender and worked a bit of space on the edge of the box to shoot, but his effort was well blocked.
The Malaga players are showing good desire in these opening exchanges, which will be delighting Schuster. Camacho is the latest to battle away for the ball in midfield, refusing to give up before eventually conceding a free kick.
Romeu is really unlucky to be called for a foul there. He got all of the ball and none of the man, but Duda bought the foul and Malaga now have a free kick in a good crossing position.
CHANCE! From the free kick, Camacho has a chance that he really should de better with. Duda whipped the cross into the box and Camacho was left completely unmarked in the middle of the box, but miscued his header and sent it looping well wide.
CLOSE! Valencia's best chance of the match comes as Eliseu fails to deal with a high ball upfield. It skims through to Piatti, who controls it on his chest before firing a low effort just past the far post.
That is highly ambitious from Duda. He gets a lot of space in midfield and is lured into a shot from a good 30 yards out, but he drags it harmlessly wide of the near post. Moments later Antunes also goes for goal from range, but his shot is even further from troubling Diego Alves.
Alcacer is unfortunate to be flagged for offside as he picks up the ball with no defenders blocking his route to goal. His effort hits the bar, but play has already been stopped by the official, even though replays show that Antunes was actually playing him on.
YELLOW CARD! Mathieu picks up the first yellow of the match for a foul on Camacho when the Malaga man looked to be clean through on goal. It is a harsh one as Mathieu looked to miss both the man and the ball, but Camacho went down in apparent agony and the Valencia defender was subsequently booked.
SAVE! Duda takes an age to take the resulting free kick, but it is very nearly worth the wait. He curls it over the wall and it is creeping just inside the post before Alves leaps to his left and pushes it wide with one hand. Good effort and a good save.
We're still goalless in this match but there has been plenty of action to keep us entertained so far. These two sides are not looking like teams struggling for goals this season, and I would be very surprised if this one ended 0-0.
Lovely play from Piatti down the left as he shows great footwork to skip past his man and cut into the penalty area. His eventual cross is cleared behind for a corner, which comes to nothing for the visitors.
The ball breaks fortunately for Banega in midfield and he looks to unleash a powerful effort. His strike slams into the feet of his own man, however, and to add insult to injury the inadvertent blocker is flagged for offside.
The tempo has dropped in the last few minutes after an entertaining opening to the match. Both defences seem to have settled now and there isn't as much space for either side in the attacking third.
YELLOW CARD! Eliseu gets an incredibly harsh yellow as the ball skims off the turk and hits him on the chest, with his arm in close attendance. The referee thinks it is a handball and produces the card, which would have been harsh even if it was a handball. The officials haven't exactly covered themselves in glory so far tonight.
DOUBLE SAVE! Superb goalkeeping from Caballero as he beats a powerful free kick away before standing up quickly to make another good save to deny Jonas on the rebound. The first save was perhaps not as tidy as it could have been, but he certainly made up for it with that second stop.
CHANCE! Jonas gets to the byline down the right wing and sends a low cross into the area. Alcacer stoops to get his head on the end of it, but he can't get sufficient contact to trouble the keeper. He just needed a better connection there and it would have been the opening goal.
CHANCE! Big chance for Malaga at the other end as Antunes clips a lovely ball over the defence that Santa Cruz stretches out to meet on the volley inside the box. It is by no means an easy finish, but he probably should have done better than steering it a yard or so wide.
Jonas whips a superb delivery into the box and two Valencia players throw themselves at it. The first misses the ball, but Parejo gets something on it, only for a late flag to be raised for offside.
There have been plenty of chances in this half, but it remains goalless in Malaga. Both goalkeepers have had to be on form to protect their respective clean sheets tonight.
Valencia have a chance to break and Parejo leads the way with a quick run down the left. Alcacer is screaming for his teammate to play him through, but he is a couple of yards offside so Parejo is right to keep hold of it before eventually being well tackled.
CHANCE! Valencia have another chance to break the deadlock as Jonas slips the ball through to Pereira on the right before making his way into the box for the return cross. Pereira duly stands it up into the middle, but Jonas's header is off target and lacked the power required to really threaten.
YELLOW CARD! Romeu becomes the latest player in the book for a mistimed sliding challenge. He can't have too many complaints at that one.
There will be just one minute of added time at the end of this first half.
HALF TIME: Malaga 0-0 Valencia
Referee Carlos Delgado brings an end to an entertaining first half in Malaga. The teams go into the break goalless, but there has been no shortage of action at either end of the field and both sides have played attractive, open and attacking football throughout.
Both goalkeepers have needed to be in good form as there have been plenty of chances for both Malaga and Valencia. Perhaps the best save of the half came from Diego Alves as he threw himself to his left to tip a fine Duda free kick wide. It looked destined for the corner and there wasn't much more Duda could have done, it was just a very good stop.
At the other end, Caballero was forced into a very good double save on the half-hour mark, stopping Parejo's swerving free kick before getting up in time to deny Jonas the rebound. He could have pushed the first effort into a less dangerous area, but he certainly made up for that slight error with his second save.
Malaga were probably just about on top for the first 15 minutes of the half, while the last 15 belonged more to Valencia. Throughout, though, both teams crated chances and overall it was a very even opening 45 minutes. A draw is the fairest scoreline at the moment, although this game has deserved a couple of goals.
Samu came close for the hosts early on, but Malaga's clearest chance of the match probably fell to Santa Cruz late on as he stretched out to volley a fine Antunes pass just past the post. It was a tricky chance, but the Paraguayan will be unhappy with himself at having at least not steered it on target.
The teams are back out for the second half. Will we see a goal in the upcoming 45 minutes? Even if we don't, a similar second half to the first would not be the worst thing!
KICKOFF: Valencia get us back underway in Malaga as they look to keep in touch with the teams above them. However, Malaga's incentive is that they would move up six places in the league with a win, displacing Valencia in eighth. No changes for either side at the break.
Duda is slipped in down the left channel and takes a touch before attempting a shot at goal. He is quickly closed down, however, and his effort is blocked behind for a corner, which comes to nothing.
Banega concedes a free kick in a dangerous area out on the right wing. Duda will whip this one in for the hosts...
It is not his best delivery, but Valencia fail to deal with it and it bounces to the back post. The visitors eventually get it half clear but it comes straight back, on for Sanchez to scuff his shot from the edge of the box, sending the ball trickling into the keeper's arms.
This has been a good start to the half from the hosts, who also made the brightest start to the first half as well. Once again, they are committing plenty of men forward when they attack, which is leaving them thing at the back should Valencia counter.
WHAT A SAVE! That is exactly what Valencia do. They string together the best passing move on the match on a counter attack and Alcacer eventually dinks the ball through to Parejo, who looked certain to score from close range. However, Caballero throws himself bravely at the feet of the striker, taking the powerful shot flush in the face to send it out for a corner.
SAVE! No rest for the injured here! After a brief spell of treatment, Caballero is back up and forced into action straight away. A corner is nodded back into a dangerous position and Jonas produces a good volley on the turn that Caballero has to be alert to save with his feet at the near post. Fine save, particularly as he would have still been feeling the effects of his last stop.
This second half has very quickly fallen into a similar rhythm to the first, which is by no means a bad thing. Both sides are still creating chances and either of them could take the lead at any moment, or at least it feels that way.
Duda swings a fine delivery right across the face of goal from a corner, but there are no blue and white shirts there to tap it in. All that needed was a touch!
CLOSE! Another really good chance goes begging! Parejo slips the ball down the right channel to Jonas, who only has the keeper to beat from a slight angle. He chips it over the sliding Caballero but then has to watch it bounce agonisingly wide of the post. How is this one still 0-0?!
Surely it can't be long before we see an opening goal in this match. There have been so many chances that I am amazed it is still goalless. There is nothing wrong with the approach play, but some under-par finishing, coupled with some good goalkeeping, has kept the scores level so far.
CHANCE! Yet another chance for the visitors! Mathieu whips a dangerous cross into the box on the turn and it skims just a yard in front of Jonas, whose desperate lunge at the ball is still not enough to get what would have been a tap in.
VALENCIA SUB: The first change of the day sees Parejo make way and Sofiane Feghouli come on. Parejo has had an eventful game today and I'm surprised to see him go off.
MALAGA SUB: The hosts also make a change as Samuel is replaced by Perez.
YELLOW CARD! Piatti is the latest name in the referee's notebook.
SAVE! Good play from Santa Cruz as he uses his strength to turn his man, putting him in a good position inside the box. He fires an effort towards the near post, but Alves is not going to be beaten there in this form and makes a good stop with his feet.
DISALLOWED GOAL! The Valencia players are livid! They think that they have broken the deadlock as a free kick is nodded messily back across goal and ends up trickling over the line into the far corner. The Linesman's flag is up to cut the celebrations short, however, and Malaga immediately break clear before Alcacer commits a foul for which he is booked.
Looking at the replay for that disallowed goal it was Ricardo Costa who threw himself at the ball and turned it into the far corner with an improvised volley, even if that isn't exactly what he meant. The replay also shows the that linesman made the right decision as Costa was marginally offside when the delivery came in.
I've just seen the replay of that disallowed goal again, and it is very, very tight. I've changed my mind on a couple of occasions whether it should have been allowed or not, so you can't really blame the linesman for ruling it out. It could have gone either way.
WHAT A SAVE! Alves makes another incredible stop to keep things level! It was Perez who flicked a header towards the corner of the near post, but Alves showed tremendous reactions to get down and tip it past the post. We have seen some stunning saves tonight, but that is the best of the lot.
We're nearing the final 10 minutes now and somehow we are still goalless. Both keepers deserve a lot of credit for their performances this evening as, without them, we could have had six or seven goals.
MALAGA SUB: Eliseu's evening is over as he makes way for Juanmi, who will look to make a difference in the final 10 minutes or so.
VALENCIA SUB: This is a strange sub from the visitors as Helder Postiga comes on for Jonas. It is not a defensive change, but Jonas is their top scorer this season and looked dangerous tonight.
MALAGA SUB: Duda has caused problems with his set pieces this evening but he won't trouble Valencia any more as he makes way to be replaced by the younger, fresher legs of Portillo.
Malaga come forward at pace and Juanmi cuts inside to look for room to shoot on the edge of the box. He eventually finds a little pocket, but his effort is disappointing as he scuffs it harmlessly wide.
Perez has been good since coming on for his La Liga debut, but this isn't his finest moment so far. He goes for goal from all of 35 yards out, sending his shot a long, long way over the top.
CHANCE! Feghouli does really on the right wing to whip a dangerous ball into the box with plenty of pace on it. There are two orange shirts waiting in the box, but somehow the cross eludes both of them. That would have been a superb chance had either managed to get anything on it.
You just get the feeling that there is one more good chance left in this game, and perhaps that might be the one that is taken. We are set for a superb final few minutes here.
There will be a minimum of three minutes stoppage time at the end of this match.
Perez clips the ball into the box and it looks to be too close to the keeper until Lopez spills it almost at the feet of Santa Cruz. He collects it at the second attempt just before the Malaga striker, however, preventing him the cruel irony of a goalkeeping error making the difference.
FULL TIME: Malaga 0-0 Valencia
The referee blows his whistle for the final time in this match and, quite incredibly, it ends goalless. The scoreline most certainly does not do this match justice as, while it ended 0-0, it could have just as easily finished 4-4. Both sides had a plethora of chances and it took some inspired goalkeeping at both ends of the field for the clean sheets to remain intact tonight.
There were no shortage of fine saves to file through in that match, but the pick of the bunch came from Diego Lopez as he denied Perez with a stunning stop just under 15 minutes from time. Caballero also made a world-class save earlier in the second half as he denied Parejo from point blank range with a brave stop. Man of the match is simply a toss-up between the two keepers, they were outstanding today.
It is hard to say who would be happiest with this scoreline. Both sides will have had this one down as a winnable fixture before kickoff, and they both certainly had opportunities to win it during the match. All in all, a point apiece will not really satisfy either team, although Malaga do move up a spot in the table, leapfrogging Osasuna into 13th.
While neither side will be happy with the result, they can't be too upset with their respective performances. Both teams played exciting, open football and looked very dangerous whenever they were on the attack. Schuster and Pizzi will be joining the rest of us in scratching their heads as to how no-one scored, but the overall performances from both teams was very good. Malaga, in particular, showed enough to suggest that they should be safe from relegation this season, even though the gap is just five points to the bottom three.
Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was a superb match in La Liga between Malaga and Valencia. We couldn't bring you any goals, unfortunately, but you will do well to see a more entertaining 0-0 draw than that this season. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to check back in for plenty more live football over the weekend. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
