The match, taking place on Saturday at 18:00 (#Vamos), also signifies the name change of the Second Division to LaLiga SmartBank.

The game will be officiated by Aitor Gorostegui Fernández-Ortega from the Basque Country, his fifth time refereeing Málaga CF in an official match in the silver division. The four previous matches, all last season, ended in 2 victories and 2 draws. In addition, he officiated Málaga CF 1-2 UD Almería in the Copa del Rey in the last 2018/19 season.

Players in common Racing de Santander-Málaga CF

Solaeta, Salva Ballesta, Diego Alonso, Alexis, César Navas, Geijo, Calatayud, Anderson, Schürrer, Jonatan Valle, Valdo, Toribio, Juanmi, Lacen, Mamadou Koné and Adrián

(*) Andreu and Marc Torrejón, Málaga CF ‘B’ players, played for Racing de Santander

(*) Rafa de Vicente, current Racing de Santander player, was part of Atlético Malagueño from 2012 to 2015

Coaches in common Racing de Santander-Málaga CF

Gregorio Manzano, Marcos Alonso and Juan Ramón López Muñiz

Players in common Racing de Santander-CD Málaga

Huete*, Alonso*, García Gordillo*, Yayo*, Galcerá*, Fuentes, Garín, Lezama, Galacho, San Emeterio, Sobrado, Martínez, Espina, Gento II, Varela, Corral and Macan

(*) Under the CD Malacitano name

Coaches in common Racing de Santander-CD Málaga

Cristóbal Martí, Luis Urquiri, Antonio Barrios, Gabriel Andonegui, Juan Otxoa and Otto Bumbel

Players who debuted with Málaga CF against Racing de Santander at El Sardinero

• Usero (Racing de Santander 2-1 Málaga CF, 09/01/2005)
• Pere Martí (Racing de Santander 1-1 Málaga CF, 21/12/2008)

To take into account

• Málaga CF has always claimed victory on matchday 1 in the Second Division.
• Possible debut of Okazaki with Málaga CF and numerous homegrown players such as Gonzalo, Kellyan, Ramón, Cristo and Ismael Casas.
• In the team’s last four seasons in the Second Division, Málaga CF has accumulated a balance of 168 matches played, with 77 victories, 49 draws and 42 defeats; 230 goals scored and 170 conceded.
• During the pre-season, Racing de Santander played 7 matches, ending in 5 wins and 2 defeats.

Stats and facts

• The first time Málaga CF will face Racing de Santander in a Second Division game.
• In the First Division, the Racinguistas and Malaguistas have played one another 10 times in Cantabria, with a balance of results for MCF of 5 victories, 2 draws and 3 defeats. In addition, there was a Copa del Rey clash in the 2007/08 season, which ended in a 2-0 defeat for the Malaguistas.
• CD Málaga achieved its fourth promotion to the First Division on 29/04/1962 against Racing de Santander, despite losing 1-0 in Cantabria in the return leg of the promotion play-offs. The Blue and Whites won the first leg by 3-0.