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Played
May 21, 2011 5:00 PM BST
Estadio La Rosaleda — Málaga
Referee:‬ Carlos Clos‎
Attendance:‬ 28963‎
 
Top of the Match
Vincenzo Maresca
Vincenzo Maresca
Malaga
Ibrahim Afellay
Ibrahim Afellay
FC Barcelona
Flop of the Match
Eliseu
Eliseu
Malaga
Willy Caballero
Willy Caballero
Malaga

Malaga 1-3 Barcelona: Bojan & Afellay on target as Barca prepare for Champions League final with a win

Fernandez opening goal for the hosts provoked the Blaugrana into a response with Bojan, Afellay & Bartra all scoring to complete the win

By Patrick Devaney

Ibrahim Afellay - Barcelona (Getty Images)
Getty

Barcelona wrapped up their domestic league campaign with a comfortable 3-1 win against Malaga. Despite falling behind on the half hour mark to Fernandez’s strike, Bojan, Afellay and Bartra were able to rescue the three points for the Blaugrana to ensure their Primera Division defeats were kept to just two for the entire season.

The match opened at a snail's pace with neither side committing men forward and looking content with finding their own rhythms. Malaga were the team who began to test the goalkeeper frequently but Pinto was fortunate to not face any troubling strikes which may have worried him.

As the Catalans lacked cohesion up front, they were banking on moments of individual brilliance to grab a goal as Jeffren almost conjured up the opener midway through the first half. His venomous strike rose inches over the bar as Willy Caballero in the home side’s goal was reminded of his need to be always alert.

But it was Manuel Pellegrini’s men broke the deadlock thanks to Seba Fernandez in the 30th minute. Patient build-up by the Andalucians was rewarded as the Uruguayan striker converted Juanmi’s cushioned lay-off to give the hosts the lead.

Despite lacking their usual fluency and aura going forward, the Blaugrana were able to equalise in the 43rd minute. The tricky Bojan was felled inside the box and he duly converted the spot-kick with ease, rolling the ball into the bottom left corner.

As the half-time whistle blew, temperatures were high heading into the dressing room after the penalty but both coaches would surely have been disappointed with their men’s attempts so far.

Pep Guardiola’s men emerged from the break looking a rejuvenated outfit but they were continually frustrated by the opposition rearguard, the highlight of which saw Jeffren hitting the side-netting from a tight angle.

With their first attack of the second half, though, the home side nearly regained the advantage but Maresca headed wastefully wide from six yards after Apono delivered an inch perfect cross.

From that play, the hosts look to have turned the screw on the champions but their relentless search of a second goal almost saw them concede. Seconds after defending a Malaga corner, Barcelona should’ve went ahead but Afellay’s effort was saved well by Willy, who raced off his line.

Barcelona finally claimed their second goal of the game in the 76th minute through Afellay. The Dutchman proved more clinical on this occasion as he cut inside and curled a low shot into the far post to complete the comeback for the Catalans.

Youngster Bartra added a third goal in the 83rd minute to wrap up the win with a header directly from Dani Alves’ precise corner.

Barcelona saw out the victory to finish their league campaign on 96 points as they now prepare to complete a double next Saturday when they take on Manchester United in the Champions League final. Malaga ended their season’s affairs in ninth place for the moment until the last few matches finish up in the Primera Division.


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Malaga

13
Willy Caballero
Goalkeeper
87′
2.50
18
Eliseu
Defender
44′
2.00
3
Weligton
Defender
2.00
4
Kris Stadsgaard
Defender
2.50
2
Jesús Gámez
Midfielder
45′
2.50
17
Duda
Midfielder
69′
2.50
6
Camacho
Midfielder
2.50
23
Apoño
Striker
28′ 69′
2.50
6
2.50
26
Juanmi
Striker
2.50

FC Barcelona

2.50
13
2.50
17
Maxwell
Defender
2.50
22
3.00
-
3.00
32
Bartra
Midfielder
85′
2.50
21
Adriano
Midfielder
59′
2.50
30
Sergi Roberto
Midfielder
76′
3.00
11
2.50
7
2.50
22
3.00
20

Substitutes

45
Recio
Striker
0.00
27
Portillo
Striker
69′
2.50
-
Sandro Silva
Midfielder
69′
2.50
1
2.50
-
Manolo
Defender
0.00
-
2.50
-
Fernando
Midfielder
0.00

Substitutes

2.50
2
Daniel Alves
Midfielder
59′ 84′ 85′
0.00
16
Busquets
Midfielder
0.00
-
Seydou Keita
Midfielder
2.50
17
Pedro
Striker
72′
0.00
38
Oier
Goalkeeper
2.50
14
0.00
34

Coach/Manager

-
0.00

Coach/Manager

0.00
-
 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona
46 4
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid
34 6
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atl. Madrid
28 8
Roberto Soldado Roberto Soldado
Striker
Valencia
21 5
Negredo Negredo
Striker
Sevilla
20 3