Malaga were able to overcome a resilient 10-man Atlético Madrid to move outside the relegation zone while Diego Simeone’s men miss out on the chance to be on top of the table come the Christmas break.
Javi Gracia’s men came into the match positioned disappointingly within the bottom three and more importantly on a run of poor form against the visitors, having failed to see victory over Atléti since 2009. Simeone’s Atléti, on the other hand, came into the fixture unbeaten in 13 fixtures in La Liga and Champions League competition.
Yet it was Gracia’s men that dominated early and came close to opening the scoring. Juan Carlos delivered a perfect cross that met the head of Charles, however the Brazilian could only see his effort go wide. Málaga continued to threaten the away side. Moments later, dual chances from Ignacio Camacho and Charles went close, with the latter’s effort bringing out the best in Jan Oblak.
Yannick Ferriera-Carrasco, by far Atléti’s most dangerous man in the first half, tried to get his side a goal but could not beat Carlos Kameni, with the Cameroon goalkeeper comfortably saving the Belgian’s effort. Gracia would have been disappointed by his strikers’ first half performance, notably Charles, who in the closing stages of the first 45 minutes, had numerous chances to double Malaga’s lead.
Simeone made a tactical substitution at the beginning of the second half with the quiet Luciano Vietto replaced in favour of the experienced Fernando Torres. However, Málaga again came out threatening. Gabi’s poor tackle, which resulted in a yellow card, led to Recio’s right-footed shot from the free kick narrowly missing the top right corner.
Things would take a turn for the worst for the visitors, as moments after receiving a yellow card, Gabi received his marching orders for a second bookable offence for a handball. The loss of the midfielder seemed to wake up Atléti, who began to create chances with in-form Antoine Griezmann’s effort requiring a save from Kameni.
Kameni would then make a vital save, denying Torres in a one-on-one situation. The Spaniard was given a great chance by Griezmann, but his effort from the left side of the box was saved by Kameni to maintain parity.
When it looked like the away side was going to hold on for a vital draw with 10 men, the threatening Charles finally converted late to give his all three points. Atléti will feel hard done by with Charles’ effort taking a big deflection off Diego Godín to beat Oblak.
Charles’ sixth La Liga goal was enough to earn Málaga their first consecutive league wins for the season and move Gracia’s men out of the relegation zone, within touching distance of mid-table. For Simeone’s side, the result leaves Atléti in second place, two points ahead of rivals Real Madrid and level with Barcelona at the top. The Catalans have a game in hand, however.
Click NEXT for major talking points
