The good performance of the Atlético Malagueño defence has been one of the key positives of 2016/17. In Third Division Group IX, the champions were the team who conceded the fewest goals and who had the lowest average per match of goals conceded – 34 goals in 38 matches. At home, only 12 goals were conceded by the Blue and Whites out of 19 games. In the promotion play-offs to Second B, the team has conceded four goals in four games, none at the Federación against Gimnástica Segoviana and Peña Deportiva.

Aarón Escandell and Samu Casado kicked off by alternating their presence in goal, however the injury of the Granada-born keeper made Aarón’s presence in the starting-11 indisputable. Guille Lara arrived from Marbella to reinforce the position and play certain matches in the final stretch of the regular league season.

On the right-wing, versatile David Ramos stands out for his regularity, and captain Iván Rodríguez, fully fit after a long period of inactivity, brings great consistency. Not forgetting the year-by-year progression of juvenil, Álex Robles. On the left, Javi Jiménez has been tremendously effective, whilst Kike Pina has had less participation.

In the centre, Luis Muñoz shone thanks to his skill level and quality, which made him a regular in the first team in various phases of the present season. Ian Soler, a reinforcement from the winter transfer market, adapted quickly to a position which was alternated between Gabri, Javi Mérida and juvenil left-winger, Álex Sánchez during the season.