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La Liga
Apr 15, 2018 at 7.45pm UK
 
RM

1-2

Rolan (90')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Isco (29'), Casemiro (63')

Live Commentary: Malaga 1-2 Real Madrid - as it happened

:Headline: Live Commentary: Malaga 1-2 Real Madrid - as it happened: ID:323640: from db_amp
Relive Sports Mole's live commentary of the La Liga clash between Malaga and Real Madrid at La Rosaleda, which finished 2-1 to the visitors.

Real Madrid moved above Valencia into third position in La Liga courtesy of a 2-1 win over basement side Malaga at La Rosaleda on Sunday night.

Isco opened the scoring against his former club in the 29th minute before assisting Casemiro in the 63rd minute to leave Malaga, who scored late on through Diego Rolan, rooted to the bottom of the table - 14 points from safety with six games left.

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 La Rosaleda as 20th-placed Malaga welcome fourth-placed Real Madrid. Malaga remain rooted to the bottom of Spain's top flight – 14 points from safety with just seven matches of the 2017-18 campaign left to play. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have dropped to fourth position in the table following their 1-1 draw with second-placed Atletico Madrid last weekend, and are now seven points off their rivals in the table. Stay tuned!
Malaga have not beaten Real Madrid since a 3-2 home success in December 2012. Since then, the two teams have locked horns on 10 occasions in Spain's top flight, and Real Madrid have recorded eight wins. The reverse fixture at the Bernabeu earlier this season was extremely close, however, with the reigning Spanish champions only just collecting all the points courtesy of a 3-2 success.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from La Rosaleda. Malaga have had a free week to prepare for this match, but Real Madrid were in Champions League action on Wednesday night – booking their spot in the semi-finals of the competition despite losing 3-1 to Italian champions Juventus in the second leg of their last-eight tie. Any changes?
TEAMS!

MALAGA: Roberto; Rosales, Torres, Miquel, Ricca; Rolan, Lacen, Iturra, Chory; Adrian; Ideye

REAL MADRID: Navas; Carvajal, Vallejo, Ramos, Theo; Kovacic, Casemiro, Isco; Vazquez, Benzema, Asensio

Brown Ideye will make just his sixth La Liga start of the season at the tip of the Malaga attack tonight, while Chory Castro and Diego Rolan are also selected in the forward positions. There is plenty of experience at the back and indeed in midfield as Malaga look to shock the Spanish champions here.
As for Real Madrid, head coach Zinedine Zidane has made six changes to the team that started against Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday night, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale among those dropping out. Luka Modric, Marcelo, Raphael Varane and Toni Kroos are also absent, but Sergio Ramos is back from a European suspension to captain the Spanish champions.

So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff at La Rosaleda. I shall speak about Malaga a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid. As mentioned, Los Blancos secured their spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League despite losing 3-1 to Juventus in the second leg of their quarter-final. Indeed, a 98th-minute Cristiano Ronaldo penalty proved to be the difference as the European champions set up a semi-final clash with Bayern Munich.
Real Madrid might be closing on what would be a stunning third straight Champions League title, but they currently sit fourth in La Liga. Zidane's side had the chance to move to within one point of second-placed Atletico Madrid last weekend, but the two capital rivals played out a 1-1 draw.
Valencia then beat Espanyol to move into third, and that is still the situation entering tonight's match. That said, Atletico are now seven points clear of fourth-placed Real Madrid following their win over Levante. It would be incredible if Real Madrid finished behind Barcelona, Atletico and Valencia.
Zidane's side have actually lost more home league matches (3) than they have away (2) during the 2017-18 campaign. Only Barcelona have a better away record than Los Blancos this term, and the capital giants won 3-0 at Las Palmas when they visited Gran Canaria for their last away league fixture.
Real Madrid have actually not lost in the league since Espanyol beat them at the end of February. Their elimination from the Copa del Rey means that the Champions League is the only title they are playing for in the final weeks of the season, and it would have to go down as a poor campaign unless than manage to triumph in the European competition once again.
As for Malaga, Jose Gonzalez's side are on the brink of dropping into the Segunda Division. They have not been mathematically relegated at this stage of the campaign, but are bottom of the table on 17 points – 14 points off 17th-placed Levante. To be honest, they need a miracle in the final weeks of the campaign to escape the relegation zone. That said, basement club West Bromwich Albion have just shocked the mighty Manchester United in the Premier League, so anything can happen!
Malaga's record of four wins, five draws and 22 defeats from 31 matches shows their struggles in La Liga this season, and they have only scored 19 times. Gonzalez's team did manage a 1-0 win over Villarreal earlier this month, but could not build on that result as they lost 3-2 at Deportivo last time out.
Malaga have played in the top flight since earning promotion from the Segunda Division at the end of the 2007-08 campaign. They finished as high as fourth during the 2011-12 season, and have managed 11th, ninth, eighth and 11th in their last four seasons, which makes their fall from grace this year even more surprising. Right, kickoff at La Rosaleda is now just 10 minutes away!
Here we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff at La Rosaleda. Can Real Madrid move above Valencia into third position in the table, or will Malaga pick up a shock three points to keep their survival hopes just about alive? Stay tuned to find out what occurs!
KICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off at La Rosaleda...
... it must be said that there is a terrific atmosphere inside the stadium tonight, which is excellent to see. Malaga are a brilliant club, and I am sure that they will be battling to come back up next season if they do indeed drop out of Spain's top flight. The hosts are having some good possession early on.
Half-chance for Benzema following a Real Madrid breakaway, but the striker fires wide.
Ideye gathers a long ball inside the Real Madrid box, but Vallejo manages to make a challenge at the vital moment, and the offside flag was actually raised shortly after. Quite an open start here.
Rolan takes a tumble inside the Real Madrid box, but the number 24 was not actually asking for a penalty, and the referee was unmoved. End-to-end football in the first seven minutes of this match.
Possession football from Real Madrid in the last couple of minutes as they look to work the ball into the final third of the field. In fairness to Malaga though, they have been tight defensively early on.
Just a reminder that a win for Real Madrid would take them above Valencia into third, but they have a task on their hands to finish above Atletico Madrid this season. Malaga are certainly on the back foot at the moment as Kovacic continues to press high up the mark. Still goalless with 11 minutes played.
Theo Hernandez delivers a dangerous cross into the Real Madrid box, but Torres is on hand to make the clearance. Good possession for the away side as they continue to move through the gears here.
Another half-chance for the away side as Isco finds Benzema with a clever pass inside the Malaga box, but the Frenchman fires wide of the target from a narrow angle. Good work from Isco there.
SAVE! Super save from Jimenez to keep out a powerful Kovacic header!
Real Madrid continue to find space in the final third of the field, and it does appear to be only a matter of time before the Spanish champions make the breakthrough in this La Liga clash.
Benzema has a shot blocked as the pressure continues from the away side.
It is almost like a training match here as Malaga continue to sit deep with Real Madrid bossing the ball. The home side need a bit more from the likes of Lacen and Iturra, but it is tough for them against Real Madrid's three-man midfield. The Malaga fans continue to provide a good atmosphere.
CHANCE! Vazquez hooks just over the Malaga crossbar following another smart pass from Isco, who is enjoying himself against his former club tonight.
Kovacic has a long-range strike deflected wide of the Malaga post as Real Madrid continue to force the issue. The resulting corner eventually comes into the home side's penalty box, and Benzema heads wide. Benzema is involved, but has already missed some good chances in this match.
Pass, pass, pass from Real Madrid. Defend, defend, defend from Malaga. Repeat.
Real Madrid have a free kick in a very dangerous area as Rosales fells Isco...
... GOAL! Malaga 0-1 Real Madrid (Isco)
Isco curls a wonderful free kick into the corner of the net, super strike!
Real Madrid again break the lines as Asensio carries the ball forward before feeding a pass towards Vazquez, but Ricca is able to make the clearance. It does appear to be only a matter of time before the away side double their advantage. Malaga are just so incredibly open all over the park.
CLOSE! Isco just misses the near post with a powerful strike!
Castro meets a Ricca cross inside the Real Madrid box, but his effort is away from goal, and Carvajal can clear the danger. The away side are then straight back on the attack through Hernandez.
Miquel has just cleared an Asensio cross over his won crossbar, and the centre-back is furious that a corner has been given with Benzema clearly standing in an offside position behind the centre-back.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining, and Real Madrid continue to look for a second goal. Isco has been the standout player in this first half, which is not a surprise on his old patch.
Jimenez comfortably keeps out a long-range Isco strike.
Malaga have a free kick in a dangerous area as Carvajal brings Rolan to the deck...
... Rosales's free kick was always moving wide of the post.
SAVE! Super chance for the home side to level as a mistake from Casemiro and Navas presents Iturra with the ball inside the Real Madrid box, but Navas is on hand to make the save!
Much better from Malaga in the final moments of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Malaga 0-1 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading Malaga 1-0 courtesy of a wonderful Isco free kick in the 29th minute of the match. Los Blancos should be further ahead, but Malaga actually ended the first half on the front foot - coming close through Rosales and Iturra.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid dominated the first-half possession with 63%, while they managed 11 attempts - three of which were on target. Malaga, on the other hand, hit the target just once from six attempts. Just the one yellow card to report in the opening half - Malaga's Ricca in the 36th minute.
BENCH WATCH! Dani Ceballos, Marcos Llorente and Borja Mayoral will all be hoping to see some minutes in the second half of this match, while Kroos and Marcelo are also both available for Zidane if things get a little bit tricky for Real Madrid. As for Malaga, head coach Gonzalez has the likes of Bueno, En Nesiry, Samuel and Lestienne on what is a very attack-minded bench at La Rosaleda.
RESTART! Malaga resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops at La Rosaleda.
Asensio has just been bundled to the ground inside the Malaga box, but the referee was not interested. There is no question that a second Real Madrid goal would kill this game as a contest.
CHANCE! Super chance for Real Madrid to score a second as Vazquez delivers a dangerous cross towards Benzema, but Ricca does really well to get across the Frenchman!
Malaga will always be in the match as long as the score is 1-0, but we have not seen too much from the home side in the early stages of the second period. A change is coming up here...
MALAGA SUB! Bueno replaces Lacen for the home side.
BOOKING! Iturra (Malaga) is booked for a late challenge on Hernandez.
Half-chance for the home side as Bueno meets a free kick from Rosales, but his header is gathered by Navas. Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining at La Rosaleda.
Stoppage in play here as Vallejo collides with his own goalkeeper Navas.
Oh my word, having just caught a replay, it was a punch from Navas to the head of Vallejo. Luckily the centre-back seems okay, and he is already back on his feet. Excellent to see!
GOAL! Malaga 0-2 Real Madrid (Casemiro)
Real Madrid double their advantage in the 63rd minute as Isco's low cross is slotted into the back of the net by Casemiro. Terrific team goal with Benzema also involved inside the Malaga box.
Malaga have shown bits and pieces in the final third tonight, but they have lacked that cutting edge in the final third, and Real Madrid will fancy their chances of adding more goals before the final whistle.
REAL MADRID SUB! Ceballos replaces Asensio for the visitors.
Malaga have a free kick in a dangerous area as Ideye is felled by Hernandez...
... SAVE! Navas punches Castro's effort clear of the box.
MALAGA SUB! Ivan replaces Miquel for the home side.
REAL MADRID SUB! Mayoral replaces Isco for the away side.
Little over 15 minutes of the second period remaining, and Real Madrid are very comfortable here as they continue to keep hold of the ball. It has been a routine night for the champions thus far.
Real Madrid are just popping the ball about in Malaga's half of the field here.
Comfortable save from Jimenez to keep out a strike from Mayoral.
MALAGA SUB! Ideye is replaced by Lestienne for the home side.
CLOSE! Lestienne's strike from distance almost finds the bottom corner of the Real Madrid goal. Navas looked to be seeing the ball wide, but it was actually very close.
BOOKING! Ivan (Malaga) is booked for a foul on Carvajal.
Real Madrid are heading above Valencia into third position in the table. Malaga, meanwhile, will remain rooted to the bottom of the table with a defeat. Little over five minutes remaining here.
SAVE! Navas is forced to tip a Rosales strike over the crossbar.
SAVE! Jimenez manages to keep out a close-range Ramos effort!
Possession football from Malaga as we head for the final moments of this match.
We are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the match.
Not too much to report in the closing moments as another Real Madrid attack is cleared. Malaga are going to suffer their 23rd league defeat of the season, but they have not been embarrassed.
BOOKING! Rosales (Malaga) is booked for a foul on Hernandez.
GOAL! Malaga 1-2 Real Madrid (Rolan)
Malaga have one back in the final moments as a mistake from Vallejo allows Rolan to fire home from close range. That will probably be the final kick of the match!
FULL-TIME: Malaga 1-2 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Spanish champions Real Madrid running out 2-1 winners over basement side Malaga at La Rosaleda. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once ghain. Until next time!
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