The Malaguistas, 10th in the table with 30 points, are up against Villarreal, in fourth place with 45 points. In the first round clash at La Rosaleda, Marcelino’s men won by 1-0 following an own goal from Tissone. In the last match at El Madrigal, in the 2014/15 season, Villarreal defeated Málaga (2-1) in the 37th LaLiga game of the season thanks to a goal-scoring double from Gerard Moreno. Darder scored for the Blue and Whites.
Players in common Villarreal CF-Málaga CF
Cornago, Solaeta, Sánchez Broto, Gerardo, Josemi, Calleja, Kiko Olivas, Pere Martí, Jordi Pablo, Toribio, Edu Ramos, Cazorla, Uche, Asenjo, Adrián, Samu García and Samu Castillejo (the last four are currently with Villarreal)
Players in common Villarreal CF-CD Málaga
Jorge Vaquer, Esteve, Palomo and Makanaky
To take into account:
- Villarreal have accumulated 10 League games on the run without defeat, and 8 consecutive matches without defeat at home. They haven’t lost against MCF in the last 5 League games held at El Madrigal.
- Approaching the centenary. Javi Gracia has accumulated 96 matches as a BBVA League coach, whilst Marcelino García has been Villarreal coach for 99 League games.
- ‘Pichichis’. Charles, with 9 goals, and Bakambu, with 8 goals, are the best goal-scorers in Málaga and Villarreal in LaLiga 15/16. Valencia-born Soldado, the best scorer of both teams in the League (104 goals), scored 7 goals out of 9 First Division matches in his career with MCF.
- First win. Peiró’s Málaga first defeated Villarreal in the elite at El Madrigal on 4th March 2001, in the 25th match of the 2000/01 First Division season. Uruguay’s Darío Silva scored two goals for the Blue and Whites. Arruabarrena scored for the locals.
Curiosities:
- Málaga CF’s first 4 official visits to Villarreal’s home ground resulted in 3 victories and 1 draw for the Blue and Whites. In the League, there were 2 wins and 1 draw, as well as a victory in the first leg of the final of the UEFA Intertoto Cup 2002/03, with Gerardo García León’s memorable goal from a free kick.
- Villarreal were a favourable rival for the mighty duo of Darío Silva-Dely Valdés, scoring 4 goals between 2 players in the first 2 visits to El Madrigal.
- There was never an official match between CD Málaga and Villarreal CF.
