A tale of two halves

It was again a case of what could have been at La Rosaleda on Saturday night as Malaga threw away their lead against title-chasing Valencia.

Maxime Lestienne made his debut on the right-hand side and provided an element that the side has been missing for much of the season: pace. He linked well with Brown Ideye in the early phases another player who has started to deliver on what he was brought in to do. The Nigerian held up the ball well and provided a threat from set pieces.

Whether Recio from the right or Chory Castro from the left, he was clearly the man that worried the Valencia defenders most and despite being closely martialled, Ideye won his fair share of headers, though none on target.

However, when Recios corner came in low, the defenders in black and orange were caught on their heels and Ideye was on hand to poke his toe at the ball which crept in just inside the far post.

José Gonzálezs men were comfortable during a half with very few chances for either side. Gonçalo Guedes, normally so deadly this campaign, had two half chances, neither of which troubled Roberto. The first, a toe poke from the corner of the box, the keeper caught from just under his crossbar. The second was dragged wide as Roberto Rosales and Luis Hernández rushed out to close him down.

Malaga started the second half with more energy. First, Youssef En-Nesyri tried his luck from the half way line when keeping possession would have spared his blushes the ball went out for a throw-in.

Moments later, though, came the turning point. After Diego Gonzálezs goal was controversially ruled out for a push by Ideye, Valencia boss Marcelino made a double change in an attempt to pull the match back in his sides favour. Both forwards Luciano Vietto and Santi Mina were removed for the more robust pairing of Simone Zaza and Rodrigo.

The former came close to levelling the scores when he neatly turned and shot just inside the area, dragging his effort inches past the right-hand post.

Now committing more men to the attack, the visitors forced Malaga onto the back foot for the first time in the game.

The pressure eventually told with ten minutes to go when former Arsenal man Francis Coquelin headed home Dani Parejos corner kick at the near post to almost dead silence inside La Rosaleda.

With the side struggling for goals all year, both team and fans were resigned to yet another three points escaping them.

However, this was to get much worse when Rodrigo was body checked in the area by Ignasi Miquel, who received his marching orders. Roberto guessed the right way, but Dani Parejo tucked his penalty into the side netting.

There was still time for late drama: Rosales freekick was headed over in front of the keeper by González and with the final action of the game, keeper Roberto, urged up by the crowd, leapt highest to head Rosales freekick wide of Netos left post.

A game of two halves if ever there was one. It felt like the days of old when the Blue and Whites threatened an upset in the first 45; but that capitulation in the second half, which surprised no one, served as a reminder that this side is headed for the second division.