Sexy football Spanish style

Pictured here is my first La Liga game on Sunday, which was a fantastic occasion as I watched Malaga CF defeat CD Numancia 2 – 0 at ‘La Rosaleda’, both goals coming in a tremendous last 5 minutes when it looked like the visitors had done enough to steal a point. Apono got the first with a penalty in the 86th minute and 3 minutes later Baha sewed it up with a fantastic solo run from just inside his own half before slotting the ball home and sending the home crowd wild.


Apono scoring from the spot. Apols for shaky picture, but the crowd movement made it difficult to hold my camera still.

I found the constant drum banging throughout the game just added to a wonderful atmosphere. Although the first half was fairly even, the second had drifted into a bitty game. Malaga appeared to have lost all accuracy with their passing and silly mistakes made for a less exciting half until the penalty.


Malaga defend a Numancia corner

Pre-match build up was as good as it gets anywhere in the world. A local bar with a beer and tapas to die for. And as for the company? The more European games I visit, the greater grows my frustration at that ridiculous Danny Dyer series about overseas football firms and how it could deter someone from visiting clubs in the fear that rabid hooligans rule the stadia. All I seem to meet are genuine people who take an interest in where you’re from and express a genuine delight that you’ve chosen their club to visit. The truth is Malaga CF is a dream to visit because it is so well served by budget airlines like Ryanair. This game was switched from Saturday evening to allow for a maximum television audience for El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid so always be aware that fixtures in Europe get switched with far greater regularity than here.


nick