Málaga CF face a newly promoted Celta in their first League match this season
Málaga CF kicks off their 2012-13 BBVA League season on Saturday at 7 p.m. against Celta de Vigo in Balaídos. Manuel Pellegrini’s men face Celta who have returned to the Elite following five years in the Second Division.
Pellegrini is fully aware that the Galicia-based team is full of excitement at their return to the First Division, and won’t make things easy for the Blue and Whites.
Joaquín and Eliseu are both included in the line-up for this first League match, following their problems over the past week, but Kameni hasn’t recovered from the injury to his left hand in time. Therefore Pol will accompany the team as second goalkeeper. The coach has also included reserve player Fabrice Olinga in the squad.
Málaga and Celta de Vigo haven’t come up against each other in a League game since 2007-2008 in the Second Division. They met in Balaídos, resulting in a 1-2 victory for Málaga, before their promotion to the First Division. These teams previously faced each other in a League debut in 2005-2006, resulting in a home win for Celta by 2-0. Maintaining the same team structure for the past two seasons, Paco Herrera’s Celta has made four new signings, including ex-Seville goalkeeper Javi Varas, defenders Samuel and Cabral and Argentinean midfielder, and ex-Velez Sarfield, Augusto Fernández.
Coming away with three points from their first League match would be a fantastic start for Málaga, who then face the Champions League play-off against Panathinakos.
