The first home game of the second round of the competition is between 14th-placed Málaga with 22 points, against Espanyol, in 9th place with 29 points. La Rioja-born Ocón Arráiz will officiate the match, his first time refereeing Málaga CF in the League. He previously officiated the Blue and Whites this season at Martiricos, in the return leg of the Copa del Rey against Córdoba CF (3-4) in December.
Players in common Málaga CF-RCD Espanyol
Rufete, Darío Silva, Kameni, Caicedo, José Juan Luque, Valdo, Sergio Sánchez, Urbano and Demichelis
Coaches in common Málaga CF-RCD Espanyol
José Manuel Díaz Novoa and Juande Ramos
Players in common CD Málaga-RCD Espanyol
Navés, Domenech, Meri, Camer, Vera, Soto, Benavídez, Zamora, Carlos Torres, Cabral, Vilches, Fortes, Bio, Fonseca, Lauridsen and Jaime Molina
Coaches in common CD Málaga-RCD Espanyol
Ricardo Zamora, Antonio Barrios, Ernesto Pons, Jeno Kalmar, Marcel Domingo, Milorad Pavic and Ladislao Kubala
(*) José Luis Saso, who coached RCD Espanyol, was a CD Málaga player
The first Málaga CF-RCD Espanyol
On 22nd August 1999, Málaga CF and RCD Espanyol faced each other for the first time at La Rosaleda. The 1st match of the 1999/00 season was MCF’s debut in the First Division. A goal from Catanha from a Ruano pass in the final stage of play, led to a Málaga victory by 1-0. Malaguista coach, Joaquín Peiró’s team line-up included: Contreras; Larrainzar, Bravo, Roteta; Rojas (Fernando Sanz 87’), Movilla, De los Santos, Valcarce; Edgar (Ruano 69’); Darío Silva (Rufete 69’) and Catanha.
To take into account
- MCF’s biggest win against Espanyol at La Rosaleda took place on 18th January 2009. The result was 4-0, with goals from Adrián López, Apoño (pen.), Baha (pen.) and Alberto Luque.
- RCD Espanyol is the second team against who Málaga CF has won the most matches at La Rosaleda in the First Division (8), only behind Athletic Club (9 times).
- The two youngest players to debut with RCD Espanyol in the First Division; Branko Kubala and Paul Quaye, played for Atlético Malagueño.
