Barcelona travelled to Malaga on Saturday knowing that three points would see them return to the top of La Liga.
The visitors took the lead in the second minute through Munir El-Haddadi, but Juanpi levelled the scores in the 32nd minute and that is how the two teams stood entering the half-time break.
Lionel Messi sent Barcelona 2-1 ahead early in the second half, however, which was enough to secure a vital win for the Catalan outfit.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from La Rosaleda as Malaga welcome Barcelona. Victory for the visitors would once again see them move above Atletico Madrid and into first position in the table, but Malaga have not lost at home in the league since the start of November and have won four of their last six in Spain's top flight. Let's hope for an entertaining clash!
Malaga might be in decent form entering this match, but the omens are not exactly great for them this afternoon. Barcelona have been victorious in 17 of the last 20 league games between the two sides, losing just once in the process. That sole Malaga victory came at Camp Nou in the league last season, but Barcelona were 1-0 winners when the two sides met earlier this season.
Recent history suggests that there will not be many goals this afternoon. Indeed, just six goals have been registered in the last five meetings between the two teams. Last season, the corresponding league match finished 0-0, but Barcelona managed a 1-0 win at the start of the 2013-14 season. Despite Barcelona's strong run against Malaga, it has not always been straight-forward.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from La Rosaleda. Have Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez returned for Barcelona? Let's take a look...
TEAMS:
MALAGA: To follow.
BARCA: Bravo; Vidal, Mascherano, Vermaelen, Adriano; Turan, Busquets, Iniesta; Munir, Suarez, Messi
We are still waiting on the confirmed Malaga team here, but Gerard Pique is suspended for Barcelona, while Neymar misses out with a hamstring problem. Dani Alves and Ivan Rakitic are also left on the bench, with Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan both starting. Jordi Alba's continued absence means that there is a spot at left-back for Adriano. As expected, Messi has returned from a hamstring problem, while the league's top scorer Suarez will lead the attack after returning from a Copa del Rey suspension.
TEAMS:
MALAGA: Kameni; Rosales, Angeleri, Weligton, Torres; Castro, Camacho, Recio, Juanpi; Cop, Charles
BARCA: Bravo; Vidal, Mascherano, Vermaelen, Adriano; Turan, Busquets, Iniesta; Munir, Suarez, Messi
Malaga have kindly presented us with their team news and there is a start at left-back for Miguel Torres, with Arthur Boka suspended. Dude Cop and Charles, who is Malaga's top scorer this season, start in the final third, with Roque Santa Cruz only on the bench. Ignacio Camacho and Recio are selected in the middle of the park for the hosts, while Juanpi and Chory Castro will operate out wide.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now around 35 minutes from kickoff on this mild afternoon in Malaga. As mentioned, victory for Barcelona would see them return to the top of the table ahead of Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid, who play Sevilla tomorrow afternoon, but Malaga have overcome a difficult start to the season to move well clear of the bottom three.
Indeed, Javi Gracia's side have lost just one of their last six league games at home, winning four times in the process. What's more, Malaga, alongside Atletico, are the team with the fewest home goals conceded this season – five. In total, they have shipped 17 goals in La Liga this season, which is very impressive, but they are the second-lowest scorers in the league on just 15.
Twenty matches – six wins, six draws and eight defeats is how it reads for Malaga, with a total of 24 points leaving them in 12th position in the table. They are eight points clear of the bottom three as things stand and actually only four points off the top eight. Another positive result this afternoon would leave the supporters dreaming of a possible European finish once again.
Malaga will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 defeat at Sevilla last time out, however, and they were also held at Las Palmas the week before. It is a very important period of the season for Gracia's side, with matches against Villarreal and Real Madrid just around the corner. The White and Sky Blues finished ninth in the league last season, but it is worth remembering that they took fourth in the 2011-12 campaign and sixth one season later. They are a tricky team to beat.
As touched upon, Malaga are a team that just do not score enough goals. At the back, they are nice and solid and that should be the case throughout the season, but Charles is their top scorer in the league with eight and no other player has scored more than once. They have a good goalkeeper and good defence, but are crying out for some more quality in the final third of the field.
Barcelona, however, have no such problems scoring goals. In Messi, Suarez and Neymar, they have – in my opinion – three of the best four players in the world of football, the other being Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo. The Catalan outfit have won 14 of their 19 league games this season, drawing three times and losing just twice. They sit second behind Atletico in the La Liga table, but still have a game in hand over the capital side following their exertions in the Club World Cup last December.
Luis Enrique's side have hit 50 goals in their 19 league games, but that is seven fewer than Real Madrid. Down the other end, Barcelona have conceded 15 times, which is the second-best defensive record in the league behind Atletico. They have improved at the back and have the best front free in world football – which is a combination that equals trophies and an awful lot of them.
Barcelona have not actually lost in any competition since the start of October, when they went down 2-1 at Sevilla in the league. Since then, they have breezed into the knockout stages of the Champions League and are firmly on course for the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey after beating Basque outfit Athletic Bilbao 2-1 away in the first leg of their quarter-final during the week.
It is a massive seven days for the Catalan outfit, who have the second leg of their Copa del Rey quarter against Bilbao on Wednesday, before welcoming Atletico to Camp Nou next weekend. Barcelona might be in incredible form, but Atletico are enjoying a wonderful season and will expect to be top of the table when the pair clash in seven days' time. It is a fascinating title race once again.
An idea of the weather here. Blue skies, but a little bit of a chill...
PREDICTION! I fancy Barcelona to win here, just. Malaga do not concede a lot of goals at home and have been in good form, but with Messi and Suarez returning, the visitors should have enough to claim all the points and return to the top of the table. Barcelona 2-1 at La Rosaleda.
A reminder of the two teams for this afternoon...
MALAGA: Kameni; Rosales, Angeleri, Weligton, Torres; Castro, Camacho, Recio, Juanpi; Cop, Charles
BARCA: Bravo; Vidal, Mascherano, Vermaelen, Adriano; Turan, Busquets, Iniesta; Munir, Suarez, Messi
KICKOFF! The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Not a full house inside the stadium, but there is a good atmosphere. Barcelona are the favourites, but Malaga are tough to beat at home. Right, the visitors get the action underway...
KICKOFF! The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Not a full house inside the stadium, but there is a good atmosphere. Barcelona are the favourites, but Malaga are tough to beat at home. Right, the visitors get the action underway...
GOAL! Malaga 0-1 Barcelona (Munir)
Well that did not take long! Barcelona open the scoring in just the second minute of action as Munir pokes home a low cross from Suarez, who had driven to the by-line. Malaga went to sleep at the back and the youngster continues his excellent run in front of goal with a simple finish.
It has been a decent response from the home side, but Barcelona remain in control of the possession as they pass and probe in the final third. The hosts need to find a way of getting both Charles and Castro into this match if they are to threaten this patched-up Barca defence.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but there is plenty happening in the middle of the park as both teams continue to make challenges. You just get the feeling that Malaga need to score the next goal in this match. They cannot fall 2-0 behind.
Decent work from Charles as the Brazilian breaks down the right for Malaga before delivering towards Cop, but Vermaelen is on hand to make the clearance. The Belgian centre-back is then involved in clearing the second phrase and he clashes with his own goalkeeper.
Half-chance for Malaga, but Cop can only head into the arms of Bravo, who stood still to collect into his chest. Pretty open game, but Barcelona remain in control of the possession here.
Another half-chance for the hosts, this time for Charles, but the striker's header is wide of the upright. The home side are not afraid to cross the ball at the moment here!
POST! Bravo gets down low to push a Castro strike onto the post as Malaga continue to make their mark in the final third. It was a rasping effort and a really smart save from the Chilean!
Barcelona have just managed to quell some of the threat in the last couple of minutes, but the visitors have not had an opportunity since they opened the scoring in the second minute.
Malaga, as the home side, continue to force the issue in the final third, but Vermaelen has been nice and solid at the back for the visitors and the danger is cleared down-field on a couple of occasions and Suaarez is crowded out in the final third. Still an open game at La Rosaleda.
BOOKING! Malaga want a penalty as Charles goes down inside the box under a challenge from Mascherano, but the referee says no contact and instead books the striker for simulation!
Well, 27 minutes on the clock and Malaga can be pleased with their overall performance, but they are still 1-0 behind courtesy of that early finish from Munir, who is in a rich vein of form.
Just a reminder that three points for Barcelona would see them return to the top of the table. I would be surprised if there was not a goal in this for Malaga, however, as the visitors continue to look untidy at the back. Gerard Pique is out of this match through suspension and that is showing here!
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Barcelona are in control of the ball and continue to press their two full-backs - Vidal and Adriano - forward.
GOAL! Malaga 1-1 Barcelona (Juanpi)
Malaga level the scores in the 32nd minute as Juanpi converts from close range after another mix-up at the back four Barcelona. The visitors have continually given the ball away here and Juanpi's effort seems to strike Mascherano before landing into the bottom corner. All square!
Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Malaga deserve to be level, there is no question about that. The visitors have not really threatened since opening the scoring in the second minute. The referee has been forced to intervene following a late challenge from Adriano, who pushed Juanpi off the pitch. Recio is not happy and Adriano defends his case!
Barcelona work the ball into a wide position before Adriano delivers, but Weligton is on hand to clear. That does not stop Barcelona forcing the issue, but eventually Kameni has the ball after a cross is deflected into his arms. Very good game of football as we approach the interval here.
It seems a long time ago that Munir tapped home to send Barcelona ahead and at that point, the Malaga fans would have been expecting the worse, but their team have hit back very well.
Cop juggles the ball with his head and manages to advance to the edge of the Barcelona box, but Mascherano is on hand to clear. Cop regains the ball moments later and strikes towards goal, but it is a comfortable save from Bravo, who has not had much protection in this first half!
BOOKING! Vermaelen (Barcelona) is booked for a foul on Charles.
SAVE! Kameni gets down low to keep out a strike from Munir!
Two additional minutes have been signalled at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Malaga 1-1 Barcelona
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Barcelona took the lead in the second minute through Munir, but Malaga hit back in the 32nd minute through Juanpi, who converted from inside the box. Barcelona have had more of the possession, as expected, but it has been a very even match in terms of opportunities created!
STATS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 69%, while they have hit the target with all four of their attempts. Malaga, meanwhile, had nine attempts in that first period - four of which were on target. Two yellows to report here - Charles (Malaga) and Vermaelen (Barcelona).
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period of action. Will we have more goals at La Rosaleda? We shall see! Barcelona resume the action here...
... BARCELONA SUB! Mathieu replaces Vermaelen for the away side.
Vermaelen had a rotten first period and that is being kind. He does not look too happy on the bench and it might be a while before the Belgian takes to the field once again. Malaga go with the same XI from the first period and that is not a surprise after an impressive opening 45 minutes.
Possession football from Barcelona in the early moments of this second period, with Messi coming deep to collect the ball. I am probably about to curse it, but we have not seen too much from Messi thus far. Knowing my history, Messi will go on to score three or four goals here.
Suarez takes a late challenge from Weligton and the handbags are out here!
The resulting free kick is taken by Messi, but the Argentine hits the wall.
GOAL! Malaga 1-2 Barcelona (Messi)
Messi sends Barcelona ahead here as the Argentine volleys an Adriano cross into the bottom corner. It is wonderful technique from the attacker and the visitors regain the lead!
Indeed, I cursed Malaga. I said Messi had been quiet and he goes and pulls a spectacular volley out of the top-drawer. That is the difference. Barcelona have players that they do that.
SAVE! Super goalkeeping from Bravo as the Barcelona stopper gets down to push away a low cross from Castro, which Cop and Charles were interested in. Smart from the Chilean!
BARCELONA SUB! Rakitic replaces Munir for the away team.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and Barcelona lead 2-1, but you sense that there are more goals in this match. As it stands, the visitors will return to the top of the table ahead of Atletico, but Malaga remain a threat in the final third against what has been a shaky Barcelona defence.
Iniesta has been wonderful for Barcelona in this second period and the Spanish midfielder continues to keep the ball in tight areas, which is forcing Malaga into a number of late tackles.
Half-chance for Suarez as the Barcelona forward stretches to meet a cross from Adriano, but Kameni is on hand to make the save, before Duda keeps out Camacho's effort at the other end.
BOOKING! Messi (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Camacho.
It is all very frantic at the moment as the referee is forced to deal with a number of late challenges and you sense that another flare-up is just around the corner. Barcelona continue to find space in wide positions and Adriano's delivery from the left has been strong this afternoon.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of minutes, but Turan has just headed over from a corner, as Malaga prepare to make their first change of the match here.
MALAGA SUB! Formals replaces Recio.
BOOKING! Turan (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Rosales.
Adriano is going to be carried off the field for Barcelona here. Change needed...
... BARCELONA SUB! Roberto replaces Adriano.
CHANCE! Camacho strikes one from close range after a mix-up inside the Barcelona box, but his effort is straight at Bravo. Good goalkeeping as the Chilean pushes clear!
Not an awful lot to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of minutes, but Malaga are really pressing forward, which is forcing the away side to drop. Just a reminder that, as it stands, Barcelona are heading back to the top of the table ahead of Atletico, who face Sevilla tomorrow.
Rosales hits one straight at Bravo as the home side press forward once again.
MALAGA SUB! Santa Cruz replaces Cop for the home team.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Messi bursts through on goal after a wonderful touch, but the Argentine is put under severe pressure and takes the ball too wide before missing the target.
MALAGA SUB! Duda replaces Weligton for the home team.
Little over five minutes of football remaining and still Barcelona hold on to their 2-1 lead. Malaga are throwing everything forward, but they are struggling to carve out clear openings here.
BOOKING! Fornals (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Iniesta.
Messi stands over a free kick outside the box, but once again he strikes the wall.
Not long left here and Malaga are trying and trying, but Barcelona hold.
Four minutes of added time here.
Suarez is ruled just offside, but more seconds have drifted and Malaga are running out of time. Castro again delivers a low cross towards Charles, but Bravo makes a strong claim again.
BOOKING! Duda (Malaga) is booked for a foul on Messi.
FULL-TIME: Malaga 1-2 Barcelona
So there we have it. Barcelona secure a narrow win at La Rosaleda courtesy of a second-half goal from Messi and that sees the Catalan outfit return to the top of the table ahead of Atletico Madrid. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
