Zaragoza 2 Malaga 1: Sinama-Pongolle late show sinks Malaga

Posted Saturday, January 29, 2011 by PA

A late strike from Florent Sinama-Pongolle saw Zaragoza complete a memorable 2-1 comeback at Malaga to secure their third straight Primera Division win and continue their recent revival under Mexican coach Javier Aguirre.

Aguirre took over from previous coach Jose Aurelio Gay in November, but has taken some time to make his mark at the Aragonese club.

The former Atletico Madrid and Osasuna boss had to wait until earlier this month for his first win, but Zaragoza have grown in confidence since then and had won their previous three home matches.

The northerners have been less impressive on the road, however, and went down 4-0 at Espanyol in their last away match.

Aguirre had said in the build-up to this game that his side were now prepared to win away from La Romareda, but the omens did not look good as Duda gave Malaga the lead after 15 minutes.

The Portugal midfielder fired home from Patrick Mtiliga's cross and Malaga should have made it 2-0 moments later, when Jose Salomon Rondon hit the post.

Diogo then came close with a header at the other end later on in the half, but Sergio Asenjo saved.

And Zaragoza hit back five minutes before the interval, when Nicolas Bertolo headed home at the far post.

Bertolo featured heavily as Zaragoza dominated in the second half, but it was Sinama-Pongolle - who missed a great chance with seven minutes left - who secured all three points for the visitors.

The former Liverpool striker sidestepped his marker and beat Asenjo with a fierce angled drive to give Zaragoza an important victory which sees them move four points clear of the relegation zone and five clear of Malaga, now bottom of the table.