The Malaguistas, currently 12th in the standings with 31 points, will face a Santander side that leads the competition with 45 points.
The match will be officiated by Eder Mallo Fernández, a 31-year-old referee from Bilbao who is in his first season in the Second Division. The last time he officiated a Málaga CF match was during the historic playoff tie against Nàstic in Tarragona last season, which ended 2-2 and saw Málaga achieve promotion to LALIGA HYPERMOTION. The VAR will be overseen by Raúl Martín González Francés from the Canary Islands.
Players in common Real Racing Club-Málaga CF
Solaeta, Salva Ballesta, Diego Alonso, Alexis, César Navas, Geijo, Calatayud, Anderson, Schürrer, Jonatan Valle, Valdo, Toribio, Juanmi, Lacen, Mamadou Koné, Adrián González, Caye Quintana, Jairo, Harper, Sekou, Rubén Castro, Lago Junior, Dioni, Ferreiro and Baturina
(*) Andreu and Marc Torrejón, players from Málaga CF ‘B’, both played for Racing de Santander. Rafa de Vicente, a former Racing player, was part of Atlético Malagueño from 2012 to 2015. Paulino, who played for Málaga CF in the 21/22 season, came through the youth ranks at Real Racing Club.
Coaches in common Real Racing Club-Málaga CF
Gregorio Manzano, Marcos Alonso, Juan Ramón Muñiz and José Alberto López
(*) Víctor Sánchez del Amo, former Malaguista coach, played for Real Racing Club during the 98/99 season.
Players in common Real Racing Club-CD Málaga
Huete*, Alonso*, García Gordillo*, Yayo*, Galcerá*, Fuentes, Garín, Lezama, Galacho, San Emeterio, Sobrado, Martínez, Espina, Gento II, Varela, Corral and Macan
(*) As CD Malacitano
Coaches in common Real Racing Club-CD Málaga
Cristóbal Martí, Luis Urquiri, Antonio Barrios, Gabriel Andonegui, Juan Otxoa and Otto Bumbel
Players who debuted for Málaga CF against Real Racing Club 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)
• Ismael Casas (Racing de Santander 0-1 Málaga CF, 17/08/2019)
• Ramón (Racing de Santander 0-1 Málaga CF, 17/08/2019)
Match info
• Alfonso Herrero, the only Malaguista to have played every minute (2,160) of all the matches in LALIGA HYPERMOTION, is the leader of the championship in saves, with a total of 106 (4.42 per game). The Toledo-born goalkeeper shares the top 2 spot in the Zamora Trophy with Ezkieta and Andrés Fernández, all with a coefficient of 1.04.
• Dioni, with six goals, is Málaga CF's top scorer so far this season. Andrés Martín, with 10 goals, is the local team's leading scorer.
• Nelson Monte, Víctor García and Dani Sánchez, are the Malaguistas at risk of a federation suspension, each having accumulated four yellow cards in the current cycle.
• Málaga CF have obtained one win, eight draws, and three losses (11 points) away from home in the league this season, from 12 matches, scoring 13 goals and conceding 16.
• Real Racing Club have recorded five wins, four draws, and three losses (19 points) at home, from 12 games, with 20 goals scored and 11 conceded.
Stats and facts
• This will be the third time Málaga CF face Racing at El Sardinero in the Second Division. The previous encounters include a Málaga win (0-1, with a goal by Adrián González) in the 1st match of the 19/20 season and a 0-0 draw in the 8th match of the 22/23 season.
• In the First Division, Málaga and Racing have faced off 10 times in Cantabria, with a record of five wins, two draws, and three losses for Málaga CF. There was also a Copa del Rey clash in the 07/08 season, which saw Racing win 2-0 at home.
• Only victory: CD Málaga played away against Racing de Santander 13 times. The only win came in the 87/88 season, in the Second Division, when Kubala's 'Súper Málaga' triumphed 0-2, with goals from Ruiz and Rivas.
• Promotion: On 29th April 1962, CD Málaga secured their fourth promotion to the First Division against Racing de Santander, despite losing 1-0 in the second leg of the promotion playoff in Cantabria. In the first leg, Málaga had won 3-0.
• In the eight seasons Málaga CF played in the Second Division, on matchday 25, the team achieved two wins, three draws, and three losses.