For their first official match of 2016, the Blue and Whites will be trying for their second consecutive home win, after defeating Atlético de Madrid by 1-0 in the 16th match of the season. Javi Gracia’s men have played eight games at La Rosaleda so far this campaign, accumulating three victories, three draws and two defeats, scoring eight goals and conceding five.
Celta are also hoping to achieve their second win away from Balaídos, after defeating Granada by 0-2 in their last away match. Out of eight away matches so far this season, Berizzo’s men have won five times, drawn twice and lost just once, this was in the Galician derby against Deportivo at the Riazor stadium (12th match, 2-0).
As MCF, the ‘Malaguistas’ have faced Celta at La Rosaleda in the First Division a total of nine times. History has gone in favour of Celta, with four victories and three draws, and two Blue and Whites’ wins. Málaga’s first victory, in the 6th match of the 2003/04 season, was by 2-1 with goals from Fernando Sanz and Miguel Ángel, and Savo Milosevic for the visitors. The second, just over a year ago, was in the 15th game of the 2014/15 campaign by 1-0 with a goal from Samuel García.
Players in common Málaga CF-Celta de Vigo
Catanha, Couñago, Baiano, Quincy and Charles
Players in common CD Málaga-Celta de Vigo
Montoro, Muruaga, Seoane, Sobrado, Alonso, Ares, Carlos Torres, Mori, Búa and Zambrano
Historical data / Curiosities:
- In the case of Weligton, the forthcoming clash with Celta will be the Brazilian-born defender’s 200th First Division match.
- Dely Valdés scored MCF’s 100th goal in the First Division in the match against Celta de Vigo (1-4) on 31/03/2001. Also, this was the last match Basti played at La Rosaleda as a Málaga CF player.
- In the Copa del Rey match between Málaga CF and Celta de Vigo (2-1), held on 05/09/2007, Raúl Gaitán scored his only goal as a ‘Malaguista’.
- In the 1st match of the 1989-1990 season, CD Málaga 1-1 Celta de Vigo, Celta were forced to play wearing Málaga’s away kit, meaning the “Caja de Antequera” publicity was shown on all 22 players’ shirts.
- During the CD Malacitano stage there were various players who were also part of Celta de Vigo. Chronologically, the first was Camilo Liz Salgado, a CD Malacitano player between 1934 and 1936, who passed away in 2009 at the age of 96. Another player was Santiago Sanz “Yayo”, who was with CD Malacitano from 1940-41. A special mention must also be given to Bartolomé Salas from the Balearic Islands, who passed away in 2013 and was the last CD Malacitano player alive who formed part of the team in 1939-1940.
