Football Season Guide

Malaga were the final side to secure a place in La Liga this season after winning promotion through the play-offs on June 14th, almost a month after the season ended for the 19 other teams in the division. They did so by scoring freely with 75 goals scored, led by 21-year-old homegrown talent Chupe, who some expected to depart but Malaga have done well to retain this summer as he is set to lead the line for a second season in a row after scoring 25 goals in 45 games last year. Recruitment this summer has been slow, with coach Juan Funes looking to cut the fat from his squad by releasing several fringe players and bringing in top flight experience where possible with all four signings having played in the first division before. Worryingly, Malaga have conceded nine goals in four pre-season games, which will cause concern with veteran goalkeeper Alfonso Herrera set for his La Liga debut this season. Many recruits have come in for the defence, and Malaga are not lacking firepower at the other end. Malaga’s only target is to avoid relegation this season, and La Rosaleda is set to be sold out at full capacity to back the side. Two tricky away games to Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid won’t make that task any easier in August, but their fixture list poses only one game against a team from last season’s top five in the last nine fixtures.