Barcelona welcomed Malaga to the Camp Nou on the second weekend of the La Liga season having opened with a narrow victory over Athletic Bilbao last time out.
The home side had two strong penalty appeals in an open first period, but the referee was not interested and the score indeed remained level at the break.
Barcelona turned the screw in the second half as they went in search of all three points and found the back of the net in the 73rd minute when Thomas Vermaelen fired home from inside the box.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Malaga on the second weekend of the new season. Barcelona opened the new campaign with a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao last weekend, while Malaga drew 0-0 with Sevilla at La Rosaleda.
Just a quick word on Real Madrid, who are in action at home to Real Betis later this evening. Be sure to stick with us for that one, with the coverage due to get underway as soon as matters at the Camp Nou are tied up. Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news...
TEAMS
BARCA: Bravo; Roberto, Mascherano, Vermaelen, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
MALAGA: To follow
So there we have it. The good news for Barcelona is that Neymar returns to the XI following a period on the sidelines with mumps. Gerard Pique is still suspended, however, while Dani Alves also misses out after picking up an injury against Bilbao. As a result, Sergi Roberto and Thomas Vermaelen come in to what is otherwise a full-strength outfit. Still waiting on the Malaga side!
Barcelona have only lost one of their last 19 league meetings with Malaga – winning 16 times in the process. However, that defeat occurred in the corresponding match at the Camp Nou last season, when Juanmi, now of Southampton, scored the only goal of the game. What's more, Barcelona have now not scored in either of their last two league games against Malaga. Will that become three tonight?
Indeed, Malaga were the only team in La Liga last season to stop Barcelona scoring, with the points also shared in a 0-0 draw at La Rosaleda. That said, dating back to last season, Barcelona are unbeaten in seven home league matches – winning six times. On the other hand, Malaga have lost six of their last seven league games on the road. Still waiting on the confirmed team news from Malaga.
TEAMS
BARCA: Bravo; Roberto, Mascherano, Vermaelen, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
MALAGA: Kameni; Rosales, Angeleri, Weligton, Torres; Recio, Tissone; Horta, Carlos, Amrabat; Cop
So there we have it - Malaga have finally released their XI! Not too many surprises on the team-sheet this evening, with Weligton and Marcos Angeleri once again starting at centre-back. Nordin Amrabat also starts in attack alongside on-loan Dinamo Zagreb striker Duje Cop. It appears that the visitors will line-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Recio and Fernando Tissone also selected.
As mentioned, Barcelona opened their La Liga title defence with a 1-0 win at Bilbao last weekend. That match at San Mames was the third time that the two teams had met in the space of nine days and Barcelona entered the fixture off the back of losing the Spanish Super Cup to Ernesto Valverde's side. It was a tough opener on paper, but Barcelona managed to secure all the points.
Lionel Messi had the chance to send Barcelona ahead in the first period at San Mames, but the Argentine missed from the penalty spot. Luis Suarez's second-half volley proved enough to claim all the points, however, against a Bilbao side that were without a number of key players. It was an even better result when taking into account Real Madrid's draw away to Sporting Gijon later in the evening.
Looking ahead for a moment, following this match, Barcelona will have a two-week break before returning to league action. The international break is already upon us and that might not be the worst thing in the world for the Catalan outfit, who will expect to have a couple of key players back for their next match, which is a big one – away to title rivals Atletico Madrid on September 12.
The Champions League then returns as Barcelona travel to Roma in their first Group E match on September 16. In truth, the Spanish side have been drawn into a quite favourable group alongside Roma, Bayer Leverkusen and BATE Borisov. No games are easy at this level of football, but Luis Enrique will fully expect his team to top the section as they attempt to defend their title.
Whether Barcelona have the strength in-depth to launch another treble challenge this season is open to debate, but they will surely be there or there abouts in every major competition once again. January cannot come quick enough, however, with new signings Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal being made to wait for their debuts. You would also fancy more new players to arrive in early 2016.
As for Malaga, they opened their new season with a 0-0 draw at home to Sevilla last Friday. Javi Gracia's side finished ninth in La Liga last season and will be hoping for another top-half finish this time around. That said, they have lost a host of key players in this summer's transfer window.
Samuel Garcia and Samuel Castillejo have both moved on to Villarreal for a combined £11m, while Juanmi, as mentioned, joined Southampton. Experienced centre-back Sergio Sanchez was also allowed to leave on a free transfer, but Nordin Amrabat, Charles and Roque Santa Cruz (loan) are among those that have arrived. It might well be a difficult season for Malaga this time around.
If Malaga are to make another top-half challenge then you fancy that they need to improve their away form. At La Rosaleda last season, they won eight of their 19 league games and lost just five times. However, they were beaten 11 times on their travels, while they only managed 16 league goals away from home. That simply must improve in the season ahead, or they will struggle.
This might be a very tough match, but Malaga do have three decent fixtures coming up before they travel to Real Madrid at the end of September. Their first match after the international break is at home to Eibar and they will then travel to Getafe and host Villarreal in their next two.
PREDICTION! I am finding it difficult to look past a home win this evening. Barcelona were not firing on all cylinders last week and had a fairly underwhelming pre-season, but they are still the massive favourites for this fixture. I am expecting a comfortable 2-0 home victory at the Camp Nou.
Just a quick word on Real Madrid, who are in action at home to Real Betis later this evening. Be sure to stick with us for that one, with the coverage due to get underway as soon as matters at the Camp Nou are tied up. Right, both sets of players are about to join us on the field in Barcelona.
KICK OFF! The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Let's hope for a entertaining game of football as the home side get matters underway...
... as expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Malaga already dropping into a deep position. The opening 10 minutes are always so important at the Camp Nou - Malaga need to gain a foot-hold in the match as soon as possible.
Malaga have shown a willingness to break forward in the early exchanges, with Amrabat seeing plenty of the ball in a wide area. Twice the Turk delivers into the box, but Barcelona manage to clear the danger. No chances for either team with four minutes on the clock in this La Liga clash.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Suarez heads a Rakitic corner into the back of the net from close range, but the goal is disallowed due to Suarez using Angeleri as a leaver. Correct decision!
Possession football from Barcelona as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but Malaga have a nice defensive shape and Angeleri is twice on hand to clear through balls towards Neymar.
Iniesta finds a pocket of space outside the Malaga box before sliding a pass towards Suarez, but Kameni is out to claim at the vital moment. Malaga are down the other end moments later with Amrabat, but the attacker cannot evade the challenge of Mascherano. Good tempo to the match.
Kameni collects a daisy-cutter from Busquets at the end of another spell of Barcelona pressure. Malaga are causing problems of their own, however, with Amrabat very much involved here.
Another half-chance for the home side as Iniesta slides a super pass towards the far post, but Kameni just does enough to stop Suarez from having an easy chance. Good goalkeeping.
Not too much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, which is credit to Malaga, who have been able to stem the flow of pressure in the opening 13 minutes. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital. Can Malaga open the scoring tonight?
Half-chance for the home side as Messi cuts inside two defenders before releasing a strike, but his effort is deflected wide of the post. The resulting corner is then clipped just wide by Busquets.
It is not really happening for Barcelona in the final third at the moment as Malaga continue to close the door whenever a bright spell of possession occurs outside their box. The crowd are becoming a little frustrated, but they will need to be patient such is the approach that Malaga are adopting.
Horta delivers a dangerous corner for the visitors and Bravo makes a bit of a meal of it, but Barcelona survive what could have been a difficult moment. Juan Carlos then tries his luck from just inside his own half, but it drops just over the crossbar! Bravo could only stand and hope!
Malaga are growing in confidence as the minutes pass at the Camp Nou, while Barcelona are struggling to make their mark in the final third. No serious opportunities for either team yet.
Malaga have a super opportunity to threaten as Amrabat leads a counter before sliding a pass towards Cop, but the ball is just too strong and Bravo manages to collect. Big chance there.
Messi breaks away from the Malaga defence after a super pass from Rakitic, but the Argentine just moves too wide and Angeleri is across to clear. The visitors are making an early change here...
... MALAGA SUB: The injured Weligton is replaced by Raul Albentosa.
CROSSBAR! Barcelona come extremely close to breaking the deadlock as Mascherano meets a super cross from Messi, but his header is off the crossbar! Should have scored!
A stray foot from Amrabat, who has had a busy 28 minutes, catches Mascherano and the central defender goes high into the air, but play continues without the need for a booking. Well, it is a case of so far, so good for Malaga as they continue to defend well and threaten down the other end.
Another half-chance for the home side as Rakitic finds the head of Vermaelen, but it was a comfortable save for Kameni, who has not exactly been over-worked thus far this evening.
You just get the feeling that Malaga have to keep a clean sheet in the first period if they are to stand a chance of securing a positive result this evening. Barcelona do score a lot of goals in the latter moments of the first period. Kameni makes another routine save to deny Neymar's effort.
Not too much is happening at the moment if we are honest, with Malaga comfortable in resisting pressure from the home team, who have really struggled in the final third thus far tonight.
Kameni makes a meal of a header from Roberto, but collects at the second time of asking. Malaga are down the other end moments later, but Cop cannot make contract on a super Amrabat cross.
Kameni is next called into action to deny Suarez as the tempo rises in Barcelona.
Messi sweeps a pass beyond the Malaga defence and manages to find Suarez, but Kameni is once again out to sweep up. Just a few signs that the home side are going through the gears here.
PENALTY SHOUT! Barcelona have a strong shout for a penalty as Torres seems to handle inside the box, but the referee is not interested. It looked very much a clear handball for me!
PENALTY SHOUT! Another strong shout from the home side after Suarez goes down under a heavy challenge from Angeleri, but the referee again says no. That is another one for me!
Two penalties Barcelona should have had in the last couple of minutes...
... Amrabat again delivers a dangerous cross into the Barcelona box, but Bravo is on hand to collect. It is end-to-end football at the moment, with Suarez curling an effort into Kameni.
BOOKING! Recio (Malaga) is booked for a late challenge on Messi.
Messi curls a free kick harmlessly behind for a Malaga goal kick as the half-time break approaches at the Camp Nou. Malaga boss Javi Gracia will be delighted if he can get his team in at 0-0.
Just the one additional minute to be played at the end of this half.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 0-0 Malaga
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. In truth, clear opportunities have been few and far between, but Barcelona have had two strong penalty appeals turned down. First, Torres handled inside the box, before Angeleri brought Suarez to the ground with a clumsy challenge. Safe to say that the home supporters are not best pleased with the referee!
STATS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 70%, while they have had eight attempts - five of which were on target. As for Malaga, they have been dangerous on the counter, but only managed one attempt on target thus far. There has also been one booking thus far - Recio (Malaga).
BENCH WATCH! Barcelona's bench is not the strongest this evening, but they do have attacking options in the shape of Rafinha, Munir El-Haddadi and Sandro Ramirez. Malaga, meanwhile, have the likes of Charles and Duda in reserve. The visitors, however, have already been forced into one change this evening, with their skipper Weligton going off injured for Albentosa during the first period.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the field for the second 45 minutes. Can Malaga keep their strong record against Barca going? The visitors restart the action...
No changes for either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise at this stage. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains level for the next 10, 15 minutes.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early minutes of the second period, but Malaga are still showing a willingness to commit players forward on the counter attack. There is still plenty of time remaining at the Camp Nou, but Barcelona are struggling for top form at the moment.
Another half-chance for the home side as Messi combines with Neymar before attempting to release a strike, but the Argentine slips at the vital moment and Malaga manage to clear.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to take the lead as Neymar feeds Messi inside the Malaga box, but Kameni gets down very well to deny the Argentine - super stop!
MALAGA SUB: Malaga make their second change as Charles replaces Amrabat.
Barcelona continue to dominate possession in the final third of the field, but Malaga are resisting the pressure with some excellent defending. Still more than 30 minutes of football to play here.
SAVE! Messi gives the goalkeeper the eyes as he whips one towards the near post, but once again Kameni is down to make a super stop. It is Messi versus Kameni at the moment here!
Iniesta then fires one wide of the post as Barcelona raise the tempo at the Camp Nou.
Malaga just cannot get out of their own half at the moment as Barcelona continue to force the issue in the final third. Again Messi combines with Neymar, but Angeleri is on hand to clear for a corner. The resulting set piece is delivered towards Suarez, but his effort is off-target. Still goalless here!
Kameni, who has been excellent for Malaga this evening, collects another corner to take the pressure off his defenders. The Cameroon international decides to release quickly into a wide area, but injuries himself in the process and the medical team are called. Rafinha is about to come on...
... BARCA SUB: Rafinha replaces Rakitic for the hosts.
CLOSE! Another chance for Barcelona as Roberto delivers a super low cross into Suarez, who looked favourite to tap home, but Angeleri was on hand to make an excellent clearance.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining and Malaga are still full of running as they threaten on the counter time after time. Barcelona need one of their superstars to come forward here.
Malaga are still full of running at the Camp Nou as they continue to commit players forward when the opportunity arrives. Barcelona, on the other hand, are almost running out of ideas.
Neymar finds space down the left before attempting to slide a pass into Alba, but the ball has too much power and Malaga can again regroup with a goal kick. Still goalless in Barcelona tonight.
SAVE! Messi versus Kameni once again, and again it is the Malaga goalkeeper that produces a super stop to push the Argentine's effort away from goal. Kameni has been sensational!
Rafinha stings the palms of Kameni as Barcelona are again frustrated in the final third.
Tissone is fortunate to escape a booking following another late challenge on Neymar.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Malaga (Vermaelen)
Barcelona break the deadlock in the 73rd minute as Vermaelen hammers one into an empty net after Kameni had first denied Suarez. It was a super finish from the centre-back, who kept his head over the ball and found the back of the net. It is tough on Malaga, but they had been warned.
Malaga have put in an excellent effort this evening, but it does appear that Barcelona will go on to claim all three points. The Catalan outfit are really forcing the issue at the moment.
MALAGA SUB: Juanpi Anor replaces Horta.
Suarez hits the side netting as Barcelona come close to scoring a second of the match. Malaga still have a threat on the counter, but there are some really tired legs out there at the moment.
Malaga are still attempting to commit players forward when possible, but the goal for Barcelona has settled those inside the stadium and it is now a much easier game for the hosts to control.
Messi has certainly risen his level in the second period and the Argentine is really threatening Malaga with a series of mazy runs. Neymar has also grown into the contest and Malaga are struggling to make that extra yard at the moment. Just about 10 minutes remaining in Barcelona.
Messi again comes close after good work from Neymar, but Kameni pushes wide for a corner. The Malaga goalkeeper has had an excellent game this evening, but it might not be enough.
BARCA SUB: Neymar is replaced by Sandro Ramirez.
Rosales shows his fight for Malaga with a run from deep, but Alba is across to make the challenge as we approach the final few minutes at the Camp Nou. Is there to be some late drama here?
BOOKING! Tissone (Malaga) is booked for a foul on Suarez.
BARCA SUB: Jeremy Mathieu replaces Vermaelen.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes.
BOOKING! Torres (Malaga) is booked for a late challenge on Suarez.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Malaga to equalise as Charles looks favourite to meet a low cross from Cop, but Alba somehow makes a last-ditch clearance. What a moment!
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 1-0 Malaga
So there we have it - another 1-0 win for Barcelona as they make it six points from two games at the start of the new season. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Now Real Madrid!
