Malaga CF defeated in Riazor in the first match of 2013

Malaga Club de Futbol lost by 1-0 to Real Club Deportivo de la Coruña at the Riazor stadium, in the 18th BBVA League match of the First Division. In the 59th minute Pizzi scored the only goal of the match to put the locals in the lead. The Málaga Club de Fútbol players wore black armbands following the death of a youngster at the Three King’s procession in Málaga.

Málaga CF kicked off the first match of 2013 against bottom of the table Deportivo de la Coruña, who performed well throughout the match.  Making his debut, Deportivo coach Domingos Paciencia, ensured his team put on an impressive defensive display and showed a great determination to score.  Willy stopped a powerful shot by the local side early on in the game, and Bruno Gama had two chances to score, but couldn’t get through Willy’s defence.  Pizzi had the chance to open the scoring with a free kick, but the ball hit the bar.
 
The ‘Malaguistas’ struggled to find their rhythm on the pitch.  Gámez was very busy on the right wing, and also had a chance to score, but he sent the ball way over the crossbar.  Portillo also had an opportunity to get the Blue and Whites on the score board, although the best chance came for Joaquín who found himself alone in front of local keeper Aranzubía.  The visitors, dressed in the black strip for this match, failed to get a goal before the half-time whistle.
 
In the second half, Deportivo de la Coruña’s Pizzi scored the only goal of the game, following an error by Gámez.  Iturra came on to the pitch in place of Portillo at the start of the second half, with Manuel Pellegrini hoping for an equaliser by bringing on Javier Saviola and Diego Buonanotte.  Both made a good impact on the game play, but were unable to score before the final whistle.

MATCH STATS Deportivo de la Coruña  1 – Málaga Club de Fútbol 0
 
Deportivo: Aranzubía; Manuel Pablo, Marchena, Zé Castro, Evaldo; André Santos (Camuñas, 83’), Álex Bergantiños, Abel Aguilar, Pizzi; Bruno Gama (Aythami, 90’) and Riki (Nelson Oliveira, 69’).
 
Málaga CF: Willy; Jesús Gámez, Demichelis, Weligton, Monreal (Saviola, 63’); Isco, Camacho, Portillo (Iturra, 46’), Eliseu; Joaquín (Buonanotte, 74’) and Santa Cruz.
 
Goal:
(59’): Pizzi
 
Referee:
Teixeira Vitienes, Fernando (‘Colegio Cántabro’).  Yellow cards were awarded to local players; Abel Aguilar (18’), André Santos (45’), Bruno Gama (60’) and Camuñas (88’); and Málaga’s Jesús Gámez (29’), Weligton (35’) and Monreal (48’).
 
Information:
The 18th BBVA League match of the First Division, held at the Riazor stadium.  Málaga Club de Fútbol players wore black armbands, following the death of a youngster at the Three King’s procession in Málaga.