The Malaguistas, with 27 points in 11th place after 20 matches played, visit Real Sporting in 9th place in the standings with 30 points.
The match will be officiated by Sergiu Claudiu Muresan Muresan. The 33-year-old Spanish-Romanian referee is in his first season in the Second Division and previously officiated Málaga-Mirandés (1-1) on matchday 2 of this season. The VAR will be managed by the Basque referee Jon Ander González Esteban.
Players in common Real Sporting-Málaga CF
Emilio, Rafa, Cañizares, Ismael, Lekovic, Popovic, Rodrigão, Cristian Díaz, Calandria, Diego Castro, Pina, Molinero, Xavi Torres, Duje Cop, Michael Santos, Jony, Luis Hernández, Scepovic, Dani Martín, Peybernes, Fran Villalba and Yáñez
(*) Former Malaguista goalkeeper Dani Barrio was part of the Real Sporting youth ranks, as well as Gerardo and Peláez, Asturian midfielders who were members of the reserve team in the Blue and Whites’ last promotion to the elite in 07/08.
(**) Ex Malaguistas Saúl and Gascón played for Real Sporting ‘B’. Iván Hernández and Andreu, former Málaga CF ‘B’ players, also played for Real Sporting. Omar, ex Atlético Malagueño defender, trained in the Mareo youth ranks.
Coaches in common Real Sporting-Málaga CF
José Manuel Díaz Novoa and José Alberto López
(*) Ex Malaguista coach, Juan Ramón Muñiz was a Sporting player between 1990 and 1996
Players in common Real Sporting-CD Málaga
Camilo Liz*, Bachiller, Gundemaro, García, Comas, Cesáreo López, Vera, Beascoechea, Pellicer and Megido
(*) As CD Malacitano
Coaches in common Real Sporting-CD Málaga
None
Players who debuted with Málaga CF against Real Sporting at El Molinón-Enrique Castro ‘Quini’
• Keidi Bare (Real Sporting 2-2 Málaga CF, 11/11/2018)
• Sekou Gassama (Real Sporting 2-1 Málaga CF, 26/09/2021)
Match info
• Sergio Pellicer will reach 150 official matches as head coach of Málaga CF. This milestone will bring him to within eight games of the second-most matches managed by a coach (Muñiz, 158). The record for the most matches managed is held by the unforgettable Joaquín Peiró, with 224 games in charge of MCF.
• Alfonso Herrero is the only Malaguista to have played every minute (1,800) of all LaLiga Hypermotion matches. The goalkeeper from Toledo leads the league in saves, with a total of 88 (4.40 per match), and is in second place in the Zamora Trophy standings, with a coefficient of 0.90.
• Nelson Monte, Víctor García and Carlos Puga are the Malaguistas on the verge of suspension with four yellow cards.
• Antoñito, with four goals, is the Malaguista ‘pichichi’ in the League. Dubasin (absent due to suspension) and Juan Otero, with five goals, are the locals’ top scorers.
• Málaga CF have accumulated eight draws and two defeats (8 points) in 10 away league matches, with 8 goals scored and 12 conceded.
• Real Sporting have recorded six wins, one draw, and three losses (19 points) at home in the league, from 10 matches, with 15 goals scored and 10 conceded.
Stats and facts
• This is the ninth time Málaga CF will face Real Sporting in Gijón in the Second Division. The previous record includes two victories, three draws, and three defeats for Málaga, with the most recent encounter ending in a 0-0 draw during the 2022/23 season.
• In the First Division, there have been six matches between Real Sporting and Málaga CF in Gijón, with two victories, one draw, and three defeats for Málaga. Overall, in matches played in Asturias, the record stands at four wins, four draws, and six losses for the Blue and Whites, with 16 goals scored and 17 conceded.
• Weligton's garden. El ‘Mariscal’ had a special connection with El Molinón during his time at Málaga CF. Of the nine goals he scored in La Liga for the club, three were against Sporting in Gijón, and he scored them in three consecutive seasons (08/09, 09/10, and 10/11).
• Luis Merino’s incredible debut. The player from Churriana made his debut with CD Málaga at El Molinón against Sporting. On matchday 32 of the 1988/89 La Liga season, Málaga, under coach Antonio Benítez, won 1-2 in Gijón. Merino scored the opening goal in the 1st minute, Narciso equalised in the 49th minute, and Merino scored the winning goal again in the 61st minute.
• In the eight seasons Málaga CF have played in the Second Division, on matchday 21, the team has achieved three victories, four draws, and one defeat. The most recent positive result was a 1-0 win (Chavarría scored) at La Rosaleda against Deportivo Alavés.