Málaga CF’s Cup journey has come to an end this season in the second round against CF Rayo Majadahonda with a 1-0 defeat: “It was a very close game, with alternatives throughout. In such close matches like this one, they’re decided by a small detail. A detail from a set piece. Rayo Majadahonda, from those two or three consecutive corners, scored the goal,” said José Alberto. In addition, the Asturian coach highlighted the keys to the result: “We had four or five situations to be able to get it right. The precision of the last third, the last pass and definition have been punishing us all season. This marked the match and the tie.”

With a squad full of absences, the players in action today had to adapt to the team’s circumstances. When asked about the substitutions, José Alberto said “they were programmed. In the end, we have eight casualties and have another match on Saturday which for us is very important. The Copa del Rey is also important, we wanted to get through to the next round. Taking part in two competitions allows you for rotations and for everyone to get the pace of competition, but we missed that opportunity,” he said.

Finally, the Malaguista coach highlighted the complexity of the competition and the few differences between teams of different divisions. “There are no categories in the Copa del Rey. Any team can defeat any other. It’s hard to find an explanation for what’s happening away from home. We came from playing a great game on Saturday in Eibar,” he concluded.