On matchday 37 of LaLiga SmartBank, Málaga travelled to Lugo for a crucial match in the fight to remain in the division. On Sunday the 23rd May at 14:00, the Anxo Carro hosted a frantic match, with both teams in the relegation zone with the urgent need to win.
Following the victory at La Rosaleda against FC Cartagena, the Blue and White fans didn’t hesitate to head to Lugo to support the team. The 1,033 kilometres that separate La Rosaleda from Anxo Carro didn’t prevent nearly 500 Malaguistas from traveling the country by bus. A fleet of seven Vázquez Olmedo coaches, with the collaboration of the Federación de Peñas Malaguistas, was on the road for more than 12 hours to reach their destination. The objective, to get the three points, achieve the third consecutive victory and continue believing we can stay up.
At the end of the match, the players went up to the stands and handed out their shirts to the Malaguistas who had been cheering on the team in the rain. However, the club wanted to reward them with something else. A raffle for two VIP experiences was organised among all the travelling fans and a shirt for each bus. Throughout the week the winners have collected their jerseys, presented by Sebastián Fernández 'Basti' and Josemi González. The winners told us all about the trip, the match at the Anxo Carro and finding out they were the winners.
Rafa Santiago, a fan who travelled with Peña Malaguista Benamiel, said that “the trip to Lugo was pretty long, but we were rewarded with Málaga's victory.” In addition, he was happy with the team's recent games, with five victories in six matches: “The team is in a good dynamic which is making us all happy.”
On how his trip came about he told us: “It was a little anecdotal. I wanted to go with my friends, but they couldn't go. It coincided with work on Monday, and they were unable to. I made the decision to leave it and go to the next one. Two days before the game, a friend called me to ask if he could come. I went directly for the tickets, and we ended up going,” he commented.
Once there, the atmosphere was spectacular. “There was an energy as if we were at La Rosaleda. You listen to the videos on TV and it was as if we were playing at home. The fans are incredible, I always say that we are 10 out of 10,” he added.
Another of the winners was José Alejandro López, a Malaguista who travelled on one of the buses from the ‘grada de animación.’ At first, he couldn't get one of the places to travel to Lugo, but he didn't lose hope: “I signed up the same day the tickets for the bus came out. I spoke to the guy, but after an hour and a half there were no tickets left. He put me on a waiting list, as they were negotiating taking another bus.”
Finally, he didn’t hesitate to travel when more places became available: “A couple of days later he called. They had got a bus and asked if I wanted to go. Of course! For Málaga I’ll go anywhere! We were 13 or 14 hours on the bus, we were a little nervous on the way there, but on the way back we were a little calmer.”
For José Alejandro it was a surprise to be a winner. “I didn't know anything,” he said. He wanted to show his gratitude for the gesture and for having been able to choose the shirt he won: “I received a call at work and was told I’d won a prize. I didn't believe it. I was going to buy the away kit anyway, so I’m very grateful for the gesture.”
With Memory, Commitment and Faith, the 500 Malaguistas exemplified that you have to believe to achieve. With so many fans making the journey, the club wanted to show its appreciation with this gesture.
Thank you for believing! ¡Sí, se puede!
#BelievingIsAchieving
