First Division - Day 38

Sevilla 0 - Málaga 2

Sevilla: Notario; Daniel Alves, Sergio Ramos, Javi Navarro, David; Renato (Antoñito 65'), Martí; Jesús Navas (Jesuli 73'), Baptista, Adriano; Darío Silva (Makukula 61'). 4-2-3-1.
Málaga: Arnau; Gerardo, César Navas, Fernando Sanz, Valcarce; Juanito, Romero; Edgar (Michel 74'), Miguel Angel (Juan Rodríguez 60'), Duda (Iznata 87'); Fernando Baiano. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Sevilla: Darío Silva for Makukula / Málaga: Romero for Michel.

Goals:
0-1. 78. Duda. Struck long free kick which went in off near post.
0-2. 91. Baiano. Got on the end of Iznata's cross to turn ball in on far post..

Sevilla missed out on a place in the Champions League after losing their last match of the season to Málaga. Caparrós's side had not been able to beat their local rivals in the Sánchez Pizjuán stadium during the last four seasons, but they looked as if they were going to break the jinx as they bore down on Arnau's goal right from the start. The keeper saving from Baptista in the opening seconds and Darío Silva putting a couple of efforts just wide a few minutes later.

But half time came and went without any change to the scoreboard, and after Baptista fired a free kick over the bar, the coach brought on Makukula and Antoñito to strengthen the attack. Both missed chances though, and they paid the price when Duda fired a long free kick into the net in one of the only attacks the visitors managed throughout the game.

With the game coming to an end Caparrós urged everyone forward, knowing that their city rivals Betis were being held at Mallorca and that a win would take his team above them into the top four. But that left gaps at the back, and Baiano took advantage to score a second goal on a quick breakaway in injury time to scupper their chances. Their bogey team had struck again, and Sevilla will have to make do with a place in the UEFA cup next season.