Sevilla travelled to Malaga on Sunday looking for just their second league win on the road this season.
Malaga had the better of the chances in the first period, but neither side could make the breakthrough in a low-key half of football.
It was Sevilla that created a host of clear opportunities in the second half, but both sides were made to settle for a share of the spoils.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from the La Rosaleda as Malaga welcome Sevilla. The home side’s season has just stalled in recent weeks with four defeats in their last six, but Sevilla have their eyes firmly set on a Europa League position, with the club just one point behind eighth-placed Getafe.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, it has been even with both winning two of the last five matches, with the other ending in a draw. As mentioned, Malaga were 2-0 winners at the Estadio Ramon earlier in the season. They also recorded all three points in a 2-1 win at this stadium last season.
Malaga will be able to call upon a strong home record this season having won nine of their 17 matches on this stadium, losing just four times in the process. However, Sevilla enter the match having won just once on the road all season, which is incredible for a team chasing a place in Europe. Their home form has been strong, however, with 12 wins from 17 matches.
TEAMS:
MALAGA: Kameni; Lugano, Weligton, Gamez, Iturra; Joaquin, Morales, Camacho, Eliseu; Isco, Baptista
SEVILLA: Beto; Navarro, Coke, Cala, Moreno; Navas, Rakitic, Medel, Kondogbia, Perotti; Negredo
So there we have it. Much-changed Malaga side this evening with Manuel Iturra seemingly starting in defence, while there are also returns for Joaquin and Morales. Sevilla, meanwhile, are without Jose Antonio Reyes, meaning that Diego Perotti is handed a rare start. Right, the home side get the action underway on this mild evening in Spain.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is certainly a strong atmosphere. Early penalty shout for the home side as Baptista's close-range strike appears to hit the arm of Cala, but the referee is not interested. Let's hope that we can keep all 22 players on the pitch this evening with the atmosphere rising inside the La Rosaleda.
Much speculation about Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini, who has been strongly linked with the Manchester City post. Either way, the Chilean will be keen to secure a strong end to the season. Again the home side force the issue moments later as Eliseu drives a low cross into the box, but Cala is on hand to clear under pressure from Morales.
It has been an impressive start from Malaga, who need a performance following their 6-2 defeat to Real Madrid last Wednesday. There were signs of tiredness in that match, but they have started this one with a bang. Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about in the opening six minutes of football.
Just a reminder that no Demichelis or Sanchez in the Malaga team this evening, with both defenders seeing red against Real Madrid last time out. First real sign of Navas as the Sevilla winger drives down the left before delivering a cross into the box, but Negredo could not make contact under pressure from Weligton.
It's bright work from Isco once more as the Malaga midfielder collects possession outside the box before finding Joaquin, but the experienced Spaniard just could not find the youngster under pressure from Rakitic. Neither side has really settled into the opening 10 minutes, but Malaga have had the best of it thus far.
First sign of Negredo as the Sevilla forward meets a cross from Moreno, but he can only turn his effort wide of the post from close range. Slightly sloppy period of the match in the last couple of moments, meanwhile, with the referee forced to deal with a number of late challenges from both sides.
Kondogbia tries his luck from outside the box as he collects a cross from Navas before striking an effort towards goal, but Weligton is on hand to make the block. Negredo again threatens moments later, but the offside flag is raised. Much more of an even contest with 14 minutes on the clock, but we still await the first real chance.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be decisive in this type of match. Sevilla have been nothing short of dreadful on the road this season, but Malaga are not the same side from the early part of the season. A header comes from Lugano moments later, but his effort is wide of the post.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with neither side taking too much care in the final third. A half-chance does arrive on the counter for Sevilla as Navas finds Perotti outside the box, but he takes on touch too many. Rakitic does arrive in the box moments later, but he heads wide of the post.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Camacho meets a loose ball outside the box, but he can only thump his effort wide of the post. Those are the sort of chances that you need to be taking in this type of match. Still no goals or indeed clear opportunities in the opening 21 minutes of football.
The opportunities continue to arrive, this time for Navas as he meets a low cross from Negredo, but he can only fire his effort high and wide of the target. The end-to-end period of the match continues as Isco finds Baptista down the other end, but the Brazilian can only scoop over the bar from close range.
Not a match for the faint-hearted at the moment as the challenges continue to arrive from both sides, but it has been more physical than dangerous, which is good to see in Spanish football. Both sides continue to threaten with passing sequences in the opposing half, but the score remains goalless with 25 minutes on the clock.
It's bright work from Rakitic as the Croatian finds Negredo in the Malaga box, the striker sets up Perotti on the edge of the box, but his effort is pushed wide by Kameni. The fact that Malaga have not got a recognised centre-forward on the pitch is harming their ability to build from a deeper position.
Half-chance for the home side as Morales bursts into the Sevilla box before squaring to Baptista, but the forward just could not make contact at the far post. Sevilla force the issue down the other end moments later with Negredo turning and striking from the edge of the box, but his effort was wide of the target.
Again Baptista is involved as the Brazilian meets a cross from Joaquin before striking an effort form close range, but Coke is across to make the save at the vital moment. Not too much from the away side in the last couple of moments, however, although they are enjoying most of the possession. Little under 15 minutes of the first half remaining.
Not too much quality with the final ball at the moment as Navas twice whips a cross out of play from a good position. The atmosphere inside the stadium has just dropped, meanwhile, with events on the pitch entering a laboured tempo. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in Malaga.
Half-chance for Negredo as the Sevilla striker meets a deep cross from Navas, but he can only fire wide of the post from close range. It was a difficult chance, but the forward is certainly capable from that distance. Not too much from Malaga in the last few moments.
Malaga spring into life down the left as Morales collects a short corner from Isco before delivering a low cross into the box, but Navarro is on hand to turn behind his own post. The resulting corner also causes concern in the Sevilla box, but the referee awards a free kick for a foul on Beto. It was very soft.
Slightly bitty period of the match in the last few moments with the referee forced to address a number of late challenges from both sides. Sevilla continue to enjoy possession outside the opposing box, but they just cannot find the elusive final pass. Little under five minutes of the first period remaining in Malaga.
Gamez becomes the latest to enter the referee's book for a late challenge on Moreno. The Malaga defender is not happy, but he can have no complaints based on the challenge. The resulting free kick is delivered by Rakitic, but Kameni comes through traffic to clear the danger.
Not too much to report in the final stages of the half with both sides careless in possession of the ball. Baptista wants a free kick outside the box, but the referee is not interested, much to the frustration of the home supporters. Malaga are forced into a change in the latter stages as Morales is replaced by Duda.
HALF-TIME: Malaga 0-0 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. It has not been an easy half for the referee, who has turned down a couple of penalty appeals for the home side. A goalless draw at this stage of the match is just about a fair reflection of events at La Rosaleda.
STATISTICS: The away side have had more of the possession with 53%, while they have had five attempts to Malaga's two. However, the fact that only one attempt has been registered on target (for Sevilla) tells you all that you need to know about what we have seen thus far in this match.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a host of attacking options on the bench in the shape of Javier Saviola, Lucas Piazon and Roque Santa Cruz. Meanwhile, Sevilla have the likes of Manu del Moral and Diawara in reserve. I suspect that we will see changes in the early part of the half if the score remains level.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval, which is not too surprising at this stage of events. As it stands, Sevilla would move into eighth, while Malaga would remain sixth. Right, the home side get the half underway.
Fairly low-key start to the half with both sides attempting to feel their way into the match. It is the type of fixture that could be won by the single goal, but neither side has really threatened to open the scoring thus far. Malaga are forced into an early change, meanwhile, as Eliseu is replaced by Antunes.
Not the best of nights for Malaga in terms of injuries with Morales and Eliseu both forced off the pitch. Three strikers on the bench for the home side, but we can only now see one this evening. Sevilla attempt to force the issue with a sweeping counter, but Navas's cross is straight into the arms of the waiting Kameni.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with Negredo coming close for the away side, before Iturra fires just wide of the post down the other end. Not good news for the home side as Weligton hits the deck following that challenge with Negredo. However, the Brazilian is deemed fit to continue. Still no goals with 52 minutes on the clock.
Good opportunity for the home side on the counter as they embark on a four-on-two situation, but Iturra feed the ball into the one area that the two defenders were placed. That is really poor from the Chilean. Plenty of good build-up work from both sides, but the final pass has been seriously lacking this evening.
Joaquin is the danger for the away side as the experienced Spaniard combines with Isco before driving into the box, but Kameni is out to collect at the vital moment. Navas threatens down the other end, winning a corner in the process, but Weligton heads clear under pressure from Coke.
Half-chance for Cala this time as the Sevilla defender meets a free kick from Rakitic, but Kameni is on hand to make a fine save at his near post. The loose ball threatens to fall for Navas, but Weligton manages to scoop clear. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in Malaga. Still no goals.
Sevilla are forced into a change as Manu del Moral replaces Perotti, who had been struggling with a knock in the early stages of the half. The away side force the issue with a couple of free kicks in quick succession, but Kameni is largely untroubled in the Malaga goal. The tempo has just dampened in the last few moments with the chances remaining few and far between.
Half-chance for Duda as the Portuguese collects possession outside the box before curling an effort towards the top corner, but it was always moving high of the crossbar. That has been the story of the second period thus far. Still we await the first meaningful chance with 63 minutes on the clock.
Baptista finally wins a free kick for the home side as he clashes with Weligton, who did appear to pull his fellow Brazilian to the ground. The resulting free kick is from Baptista, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. The match has just become a slight non-event in the last few moments, which is a shame for the spectators.
Good pressure from the away side in the last couple of moments with Navas seeing more of the ball down the left, but his crossing has not been up to his required standard. Coke does deliver a telling ball moments later, which is met by the head of Negredo, but his effort moves high of the crossbar. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining with the two sides still level.
Beto takes a bit of a knock as he collides with Baptista during a high challenge, but the referee awards a corner. The resulting set piece is delivered by Isco, but the official immediately blows for a free kick. You could see that decision coming a mile off. Still no real chances for either side this evening.
Sevilla make their second change of the match as the Brazilian full-back Cicinho is introduced in place of Coke. No change to the formation. Just a reminder that Malaga have one change remaining, but they have three strikers on the bench. It will be interesting to see who, if any, are introduced in the final stages of the match.
Not too much to report in the last few moments with the match going ever so stale in the second period. I would love to be able to report that many chances have arrived, but that is simply not the case. In truth, it has the look of a pre-season fixture, which is strange with both of these sides in need of the three points.
CHANCE! Oh my word! Incredible chance for Sevilla to open the scoring as Negredo finds Rakitic in the box, but somehow the Croatian heads his effort wide of the post. He just had to score. Negredo has a strike from distance moments later, but it was always moving over the crossbar.
You just get the feeling that we will have some late drama in this match. It would be fair to say that one goal would be enough to pick up all three points. Sevilla continue to look the most likely as they commit players to each attack, but the latest is cur short by the offside flag. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining.
Gary Medel picks up his standard yellow card for a handball outside the box. The resulting free kick is taken by Baptista, but his effort moves wide of the post. That pretty much sums up the evening's events. Still no sign of a striker for Malaga, which does seem strange at this stage of the match.
Malaga finally make the change with Joaquin replaced by Santa Cruz. The latter could play under Pellegerini at Manchester City next season if reports are to be believed. A goal this evening would do his chances no harm at all. Little over five minutes of football remaining, but it is Sevilla that continue to force the issue.
It's good feet from Negredo as the Spaniard takes control of a loose ball in the Malaga half before turning and releasing Navas, but the winger is challenged by Iturra. Malaga threaten down the other end moments later as Antunes strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the post.
Baptista again threatens for the home side as he wins possession on the edge of the box before combining with Duda, but Navarro is across to clear at the vital moment. A corner follows, but Lugano is booked for a challenge on Moreno. That just about sums up the events this evening.
Sevilla make their third change of the match as Kondogbia is replaced by Maduro. Santa Cruz threatens for the home side moments later, but his effort from outside the box is blocked by Cala. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes, we are indeed into the first of those.
Neither side is exerting too much energy in the search for a winner, although Malaga have been the team passing and probing outside the box. Isco comes close to finding the winner as he strikes an effort from close range, but the flag was raised. That should be just about it for this one.
FULL-TIME: Malaga 0-0 Sevilla
So there we have it. The final La Liga fixture of the weekend ends in a goalless draw as Sevilla hold Malaga. The result leaves Malaga in sixth position in the table, but the away side move into eighth. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
