Deportivo La Coruna travelled to Malaga on Sunday knowing that a point would move them out of the La Liga relegation zone.
Both sides had half-chances in the first period, but neither could make the breakthrough.
The home side took the lead shortly after the break when Nordin Amrabat found the bottom corner from outside the box, but Oriol Riera levelled the scores on the hour mark.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from La Rosaleda as Malaga welcome Deportivo La Coruna. Both sides are in poor form at the moment, but Depor's need is much greater, with their spot in Spain's top flight very much under threat. Malaga, meanwhile, are no longer secure in seventh.
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Malaga.
TEAMS:
MALAGA: Kameni; Rosales, Sanchez, Weligton, Boka; Recio. Darder; Castillejo, Amrabat, Samu; Juanmi
DEPOR: Fabricio; Juanfran, Lopo, Insua, Luisinho; Alex, Dominguez, Borges; Perez, Piera, Ivan
So there we have it. Malaga are still without key midfielder Ignacio Camacho, but head coach Javi Gracia otherwise has a full complement of players. It is the same front four, with Samu Castillejo, Nordi Amrabat and Samu Garcia supporting leading scorer Juanmi, while Weligton captains the side from the back. Gracia's lack of change means that the likes of Duda and Javi Guerra remain on the bench.
Depor, meanwhile, are without the suspended Sidnei and Toche, but Victor Sanchez has no fresh injury concerns. It looks to be a 4-3-3 formation for the visitors, with Oriol Riera joined in the final third by Lucas Perez and Ivan Cavaleiro. Alex Bergantinos will skipper the team from midfield, but Haris Medunjanin has dropped to the bench. Helder Postiga is also among the substitutes for Depor.
Malaga are unbeaten in seven home league meetings against Deportivo, although six of those matches have ended level. This will be the fourth meeting between the two sides this season, meanwhile, with Malaga eliminating Deportivo 5-1 on aggregate in the Copa del Rey after the pair had played out a 1-1 draw in the league back in December. Just a reminder that kickoff at La Rosaleda is at 11am UK time.
Malaga have not tasted victory in La Liga since March 15, when they beat basement side Cordoba 2-0 in this stadium. Since then, they have lost against Rayo Vallecano, Eibar and Real Madrid, in addition to drawing with Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid. Javi Gracia's side are still seventh in the table, but they have been joined on 46 points by Athletic Bilbao, who won 1-0 at Cordoba on Friday evening.
Malaga will enter this match off the back of a 3-1 defeat at Real Madrid last weekend, which was their ninth away league loss of the season. They have been much stronger on home soil, however, winning eight of their 16 games and losing just three times. Sixth position looks a little too far - seven points away to be exact - but Gracia will be desperate to secure seventh ahead of a number of late challengers.
Depor, meanwhile, are really struggling. The Galician side are without a win in their last 10 league matches, which is their worst run since March-May 2010. The last time that they recorded all three points in the league occurred at the start of February, when they beat Eibar. A horror run of form since then, however, has left them in 18th position in the table with just six games of the season remaining.
That said, Depor are level on points with 17th-place Almeria and indeed just three points from 16th position, which is an indication of the battle that is occurring. They have won just six league games all season and four of those have been at home. It has been a struggle on the road, however, with two wins, five draws and eight defeats. Incredibly, they have scored just nine goals in their 15 away league games.
PREDICTION! In truth, I am finding it really difficult to look past a comfortable home win here. Malaga will dominate possession of the ball and while Depor have some dangerous players in the final third, I am not sure that they have enough to avoid defeat. Score prediction: Malaga 2-0 Depor.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Not quite a full house inside the stadium, but there is still a good atmosphere as Depor get the first 45 minutes underway.
As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Castillejo already delivering a dangerous cross from the left. You just get the feeling that Depor need to survive the opening 15 minutes or so. An early Malaga goal could kill their confidence.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Depor to take the lead as Dominguez slides a super pass into Perez, who has all sorts of space just outside the box, but his low effort is straight at Kameni!
Malaga work the ball from left to right before Rosales attempts to whip a cross towards the back post, but it flies over the crossbar for a Depor goal kick. It has been a lively opening five minutes here.
Malaga have the chance to threaten from a set piece as Lopo brings Juanmi to the ground, but Boka's free kick was always curling away from the far post. Still goalless with six minutes on the clock.
The referee has had a busy start to this game, with both sides guilty of committing a number of late challenges. Castillejo limps off the field for the hosts, but should be fit to continue...
... POST! Malaga's latest free kick finds Juanmi all alone inside the Depor box and the striker spins before attempting to find the bottom corner, but his effort hits the outside of the post!
Both teams have already had good chances in the early exchanges at La Rosaleda and the suggestions are that we will have an open and entertaining game. Depor's willingness to commit players forward is creating all sorts of space for Malaga and the home side have such pace in the final third.
Good pressure from the home side as they force two corners in quick succession, but Depor remain strong to clear the danger. The visitors are also offering a threat in the final third in the early stages.
Again Malaga have the chance to deliver a set piece as Borges brings Recio to the ground. Castillejo floats one towards Juanmi, but Depor goalkeeper Fabricio is extremely positive and punches clear.
Still no yellow cards in this one, but we must be getting close as the challenges continue to fly in. Juanmi is the latest offender, but there is no further punishment. Malaga continue to pass and probe in the final third, but the offside flag is once again raised, with Samuel leaning just offside.
Amrabat races down the right before flashing a low cross towards Juanmi, but Lopo is on hand to clear behind. The home side are very much on top as we approach the 20-minute mark at La Rosaleda.
Well, Depor would have wanted to get through the opening 20 minutes without conceding and that is indeed the case. They have not really threatened in the final third since that early chance for Perez, however, with the home side very much the team forcing the issue. Malaga remain in possession.
The offside flag is once again raised as Amrabat is adjudged to have gone too early, but replays showed that the Turk was onside. The linesman is not very popular with the supporters!
BOOKING! Insua (Depor) is booked for pulling Amrabat to the ground.
SAVE! Wonderful chance for the away side to take the lead as Samuel Garcia has his pocket picked in a wide area, before Perez leads a three-on-one situation into the Malaga box. The forward had two passes on, but instead went alone and Kameni was on hand to make the save. What an opportunity!
Just a couple of warnings for Malaga in the last couple of minutes. Depor are very much in this game and have talent in the final third. Still we wait for the first goal with 27 minutes on the clock.
It has been a good spell for Depor in the last couple of minutes, with Cavaleiro threatening in a wide area. Riera has a half-chance after meeting a deep cross from the left, but he heads just wide.
It has been an untidy last couple of minutes here, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Malaga continue to pass and probe in attack, but they are creating very little at the moment.
Depor work a corner short into the Malaga box, but the move breaks down and the home side are straight down the other end on the counter attack. Eventually Juanmi tries his luck from inside the box after meeting a low cross from Boka, but his effort was always moving just high of the crossbar.
Lucas Perez is the one causing Malaga problems at the moment and the Spaniard manages to beat the offside trap once again, but he cannot stop the ball going out of play. Still goalless at La Rosaleda.
Malaga are just struggling to get anything going at the moment as Depor continue to defend their own box. The visitors then force a free kick down the other end, but Weligton heads clear.
Just a reminder that a point would be enough to move the visitors out of the bottom three. Malaga, meanwhile, will remain seventh regardless of the result. The home side are on the front foot as we approach the final minutes of the first period, but credit must be given to Depor for their defending.
Just a few groans of frustration from the crowd in the last couple of minutes, which is not that much of a surprise. Malaga have not really created a clear opportunity since Juanmi hit the post early on.
Fairly laboured end to the half as Depor have a deep corner easily cleared by Weligton.
Weligton then heads just wide of the post down the other end, but the whistle had been blown for a push inside the box and it would not have counted. Not long remaining in this first period.
HALF-TIME: Malaga 0-0 Deportivo
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two sides level at 0-0. It has been an entertaining half, but chances have been few and far between. Juanmi hit the post for Malaga after eight minutes, while Lucas Perez has twice brought decent saves from the home side's stopper.
STATS! As mentioned, Malaga have hit the post through Juanmi, but they have not yet had a shot on target, with all five of their attempts failing to test Fabricio. Depor, however, have hit the target with two of their four attempts. The home side have just about shaded the possession here with 56%.
BENCH WATCH! Malaga boss Gracia has plenty of attacking options on his bench this afternoon, with the likes of Duda, Guerra and Horta all capable of making an impact. Depor, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Farina, Medunjanin and Postiga. Will we see any changes at the break?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Malaga make the breakthrough at La Rosaleda? It is the home side that get the second 45 minutes underway here.
No changes from either side at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains goalless for the next 15 or 20 minutes here.
GOAL! Malaga 1-0 Deportivo (Amrabat)
Cavaleiro has just headed over the crossbar for Depor and Malaga have gone straight down the other end and scored. It is wonderful work from Amrabat, who collects a high ball before turning and firing one into the bottom corner. Not too sure about the goalkeeping, but it was a very powerful strike.
Half-chance for the away side to respond as Bergantinos is presented with the ball inside the Malaga box, but the midfielder slices his effort wide of the post. It is suddenly all happening at La Rosaleda!
Malaga might be ahead, but Deportivo are really forcing the issue at the moment, with Cavaleiro and Perez both causing problems in a wide area. I have a feeling we have not seen the last of the goals!
As it stands, Deportivo would remain in the bottom three, which would be excellent news for Almeria, who face Eibar later this afternoon. There is still plenty of football to be played here, however.
Another half-chance for the away side as Juanfran drives down the right before flashing a super cross towards Riera, but Kameni just manages to palm clear. Not too much from Malaga since they took the lead, with the visitors very much on the front foot. It is so delicately poised at the moment here.
We are getting to the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes. There are certainly players on the sidelines that could influence proceedings here. Still 1-0 to the home side.
BOOKING! Weligton (Malaga) is booked for a strong challenge on Riera.
GOAL! Malaga 1-1 Deportivo (Riera)
Game on! Deportivo level on the hour mark as Riera heads home a deep free kick from Perez. You have to say that the visitors deserve it - they have been excellent since going behind!
Malaga never really pressed on after taking the lead and there is no question that the visitors deserve to be back in this match. What a massive final 30 minutes or so we have in this La Liga fixture.
Malaga are preparing to make their first change, with the experienced Duda getting laced up.
SUB! Malaga make their first change as Duda replaces Castillejo.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but it is still a very open game, with both teams forcing the issue. I have a feeling that there are more goals in this one.
Good pressure from Malaga in the last couple of moments, with Duda's quality from set pieces causing problems inside the Depor box. However, the visitors continue to defend their own penalty area.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Malaga have the ball in the back of the net as Samuel Garcia heads home from close range, but the Spaniard was in an offside position. Celebrations cut short here!
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Samuel Garcia as the Spaniard drives into the Depor box, but Insua is across to make a stunning challenge. Good pressure from the home side at the moment.
BOOKING! Amrabat (Malaga) is booked for a high challenge on Fabricio.
SUB! Malaga make their second change as Horta replaces Samuel Garcia.
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining and we are still level at 1-1 here. Malaga are doing most of the pressing, however, and Juanmi brings a smart save from Fabricio in the Deportivo goal.
SAVE! Stunning save from Fabricio as the Depor goalkeeper keeps out a stinging half-volley from Recio, which was heading for the top corner. Moments later, Darder fires high and wide.
SUB! Depor make their first change as Salomao replaces Cavaleiro.
SUB! Malaga make their third change as Guerra replaces Darder.
Rosales heads wide inside the Depor box, but the Malaga defender was offside and it would not have counted. Not too much happening in terms of clear opportunities as Depor prepare another sub.
SUB! The visitors make their second change as Postiga replaces Riera.
BOOKING! Sanchez (Malaga) is booked for fouling Perez just outside the box...
... POST! OH MY WORD! Perez's free kick takes a deflection off the wall and smashes the bottom of the post. Kameni had not moved and Malaga are very fortunate there!
You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this game and it is Depor doing most of the pressing at the moment. Little over five minutes of football remaining at La Rosaleda here.
Lucas Perez has been very impressive for Deportivo this afternoon and the Spaniard again threatens in a wide area, but his low cross is cleared by Weligton. Time is running out in this La Liga clash.
Another half-chance for the away side as Lucas Perez drives to the edge of the box before firing one towards the bottom corner, but it takes a deflection off Boka and drops just wide of the post.
Half-chance for the home side this time, but Juanmi's header is just wide of the post.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes at La Rosaleda.
Excellent goalkeeping from Fabricio as the Depor stopper punches clear of his own box after meeting a deep cross from the right. Time is running out if we are to have a winner in this match.
SAVE! Stunning, stunning save from Fabricio as the Depor goalkeeper keeps out a point-blank header from Guerra. That is the best chance of the second period and it is a wonderful save!
FULL-TIME: Malaga 1-1 Deportivo
So there we have it. Deportivo hold on to secure a well-earned point at Malaga and move out of the relegation zone in the process. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!
