The Malaguistas arrived in Slovakia at 18:00. Soon after landing, they put on their boots and stepped on to the pitch, where tomorrow they’ll play with the official ball in the UEFA Youth League.
Present at the preparatory session were Board member, Sheikh Rakan Al Thani, who will be supporting the juvenil players in tomorrow’s match, like he did in the Copa de Campeones final, in representation of the MCF Academy. Accompanying him were adviser, Abdullah Ben Barek and coordinator of the Malaguista youth ranks, Miguel Ángel Calzado.
Málaga CF qualified for the top European competition for juveniles after winning the Spanish Copa de Campeones in May in Vera (Almería). Tomorrow at 18:00, they will face FC Nitra, champions of the category in Slovakia, in the first leg of the first knockout round of the UEFA Youth League. The return leg will take place in Málaga on Wednesday 19th October.
Jonny, a Málaga CF juvenil player, told the Club media that the team “is really excited as the ball is rolling. It’s going to be a fantastic experience, taking part in the Champions is always the best.”
Coach, Sergio Pellicer, also analyses the Youth League experience: “At this age, there’s no other tournament that reaches this level. The best thing about a tournament like this is that the players can compete at this level and we can see the true potential we have.”
The Malaguistas arrive at this competition in great form. Last weekend they defeated Sevilla FC by 0-6; they are reigning champions of División de Honor Juvenil Group IV; and finalists in the last Copa de Campeones, which the Blue and Whites won.