The final leg of the league
The team, who hadn’t suffered defeat since matchday 21, had moved 13 points away from RC Recreativo de Huelva. The arrival of Ismael Díaz to the dugout in matchday 14 had led to the turnaround.
On matchday 21, Recreativo de Huelva, sole leader of the competition had 42 points to Málaga CF’s 32. At the end of matchday 36, after Málaga CF defeated Sevilla FC 'B' (2-0), they took three points from the Decano.
The title match
On 10th May 1998, at the Campo Municipal de Almería, Polideportivo Almería and Málaga CF played one another on league matchday 37. The match was officiated by Lizondo Cortés from Valencia.
The Polideportivo Almería starting-11, under the orders of Antonio Montero 'Nene', the final CD Málaga coach, was the following: Burgos, Velasco, Lima, José Luis, Camarasa, Fran, Luis Martín (Roberto García '59), Tejero, Otero, Melgarejo (Recalde '74) and Peragón (Francisco '65). Goalkeeper, Burgo and forward, Peragón had a past and future, respectively, with the Martiricos outfit.
Málaga CF, with Ismael Díaz at the helm, presented the following team: Rafa, Artero (Quino '45), Larrainzar, Roteta, Caracol (Manolo '57), Axier, Jon Bakero, Manolo Herrero, Luis Merino, Pineda (Sandro '45) and Guede.
The Malaguista line-up had several substitute players as the team had already mathematically qualified – two weeks before – for the promotion play-offs to the Second Division, so it was necessary to preserve certain players in case of possible injuries or sanctions.
The match was marked by Poli’s need to score to have options to achieve mathematical salvation on the penultimate matchday. In the first half, Peragón stood out as he provoked various goal opportunities that his teammates didn’t make the most of. The second half was much calmer, in fact with around 20 minutes remaining, both teams seemed happy to settle for a draw.
At the final whistle, 0-0, taking into account Recreativo de Huelva’s defeat (1-0 against Motril CF), Málaga CF had 70 points to Huelva’s 66, so MCF had mathematically won the Segunda División 'B' Group IV league title.
To end the season, on the final matchday, Málaga CF defeated Isla Cristina by 3-2, ending the league with 73 points and with a 17-match undefeated streak.
Promotion league
On 18th May 1998, the draw for the Second Division promotion league was carried out by the RFEF. Málaga CF was in Group A along with Terrassa FC (2nd in Group III) SD Beasain (3rd in Group II) and Talavera CF (4th in Group I).
The debut match couldn’t have started better, with a 1-2 victory against SD Beasain, with goals from Guede and Roteta, who had turned the result around following the 1-0 from Raúl Borrero.
For the second match, Málaga CF hosted Talavera CF. La Rosaleda was almost full to capacity for this match that started off well for the Malaguistas with a goal from the penalty spot for Guede. However, a Morilla goal sealed the 1-1 final result. A bitter draw for both teams.
On 7th June 1998, Málaga CF visited Castilla La Mancha to face Talavera CF again. In minute 10 Bravo was sent off, leaving the Blue and Whites with 10 men for the remainder of play. Nevertheless, Guede put Málaga in the lead in minute 34, but Talavera went in front thanks to goals from Fran and Quini. Following a 19-match undefeated streak, Málaga CF suffered a loss. After three games, the Malaguista results were one victory, one draw and one defeat. Promotion was going to be an uphill struggle.
On matchday 4, SD Beasain visited La Rosaleda. A straightforward match for Málaga CF which ended in a 4-0 victory (with goals from Sandro, Guede, Kiko Ramírez and Manolo). As such, Málaga, Talavera and Terrassa were tied on 7 points, with the team from the Basque Country out of the fight for promotion.
On the fifth matchday Málaga was up against Terrassa FC in Cataluña. This was the first time Málaga played an official match on an artificial pitch, and were surpassed throughout by Terrassa who went on to win 3-0. This complicated Málaga CF’s Second Division promotion hopes.
Stellar performance from Guede
On 28th June 1998, the sixth and final match was held in the promotion league. Málaga CF had to beat Terrassa FC by three goals and hope that Talavera CF didn’t defeat Beasain.
In minute 16, Pablo Guede, from the penalty spot, scored the 1-0; in 36’ Méndez (who had left Málaga CF in the winter transfer window) equalised for the rival. Victory and promotion seemed a world away. However, just before half-time, Luis Merino scored the 2-1 following a corner.
In the second half, two more goals from Guede, one no sooner had the second half got underway, put the scoreboard at 4-1, that from minute 65 remained unchanged.
Meanwhile, in Beasain, the locals went in front in minute 2, with Talavera CF going level in 72’, a result that was of no use to them. The Malaguista fans were watching what happened in Beasain, even singing a ‘ghost goal’ for the team from Guipúzcoa.
Once the match was over in Beasain, it was only a matter of minutes for the referee to declare the end of play. The Blue and White fans then invaded the pitch at La Rosaleda to celebrate a promotion that seven days earlier had seemed impossible. The objective had been achieved and the city of Málaga again had a team in the silver division after seven years.
Epilogue of the 97/98 season
For the future of Málaga CF, the 1997/98 season was key, finally abandoning semi-professional football and moving away from Segunda División 'B'.
The team achieved promotion in the first Second Division play-offs they had taken part in. The two previous seasons they came so close yet so far at the end of the regular league competition.
