Liga Preview: Malaga-Real Madrid
Malaga host a Real Madrid team who, one senses, are finally clicking into gear.
Malaga host a Real Madrid team who, one senses, are finally clicking into gear.
The islanders are finding wins far harder to come by these days, but pose a threat to any team at La Roseleda.
Joaquin Peiro's men sit in ninth place after a recent slump, but there is every reason to believe that if key men stay fit, they can throw their hat in the ring for a Uefa Cup spot at the end of the season. Those key men are of course the technically gifted Kiki Musampa, the pacy Dario Silva and the poacher supreme Dely Valdes.
When talking of key men, Real Madrid have them in abundance. The form of one of these such players, Zinedine Zidane, is causing some concern. By the Frenchman's own admittance he is at far from his best currently and Real are having to look elsewhere in the team for inspiration. Form is temporary, class is permanent, though.
After 15 minutes of last week's game against Recreativo, the Real players were being whistled by their own supporters. Thankfully for them they recovered from losing those two shock goals to win the game 4-2. Raul Bravo's first was highly important, and what a goal it was. The young left-back was deputising for Roberto Carlos and his exquisite chip beat the Recreativo keeper all ends up. In almost any other side in La Liga, he'd be a first-choice, but not with the little Brazilian around.
FORM GUIDE:
Malaga: Last Six Matches: DDLDWL
The only recent success came against Leeds in Europe when a Dely Valdes double saw them to a 2-1 win. Home draws against Alaves and Villarreal will have been looked upon as points lost, while no joy was to be found at Racing Santander or Deportivo last week.
Real Madrid: Last Six Matches: DLWWDW
In the last few games Real have won the Intercontinental Cup against Olimpia, thrashed Mallorca 5-1 and come back to win against Recreativo. The draws have come against Barcelona, and Lokomotiv Moscow, with the only defeat arriving against a Manuel Rui Costa inspired Milan.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Malaga: the three key components, Musampa, Silva and Dely Valdes all play, and Peiro has a virtual full-strength side to choose from.
Real Madrid: Hierro and Makelele are still out injured, although Roberto Carlos and Salgado have recovered from knocks and should play. Flavio has also recovered from injury and will take his place in midfield, with Solari partnering him.