Málaga CF joins a select group of teams who have remained in the maximum category of Spanish football over the last 10 years, namely: FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF, Athletic Club de Bilbao, Valencia CF, RCD Espanyol, Sevilla FC, Club Atlético de Madrid and Getafe CF.
One of the key factors securing Javi Gracia’s team’s place in LaLiga for another season has been their solvency in defence. Not in vain, the season MCF conceded the fewest goals in the First Division was 2001/02, with 44 goals received out of 38 matches. With three games remaining this season, the Blue and Whites have conceded 32 goals out of 35 matches (less than one goal per game).
Another advantage of the team has been the profitability of goals scored. Statistically, the 31 goals scored in relation to the 42 points obtained is equivalent to 1’3 points per goal. Highest goal-scorer, Charles, with 10 goals in 35 matches, is the first player to reach number 10 since 2011/12, when Salomón Rondón scored 11 goals.
As such, MCF completes its 15th season in the First Division with objectives fulfilled. Between the 1999/00 and 2005/06 seasons, the team reached seven consecutive campaigns in the elite, beating the record of the extinct CD Málaga, whose record was five consecutive seasons. The recent period between the 2008/09 season until this current 2015/16 year is, without doubt, the best in regards to LaLiga rankings, with two seasons in mind: 4th place in 2011/12 (qualification to the UEFA Champions League) and 6th place in 2012/13 (the second best in the history of all denominations of the Club).
