A sunny Saturday matchday with a spectacular atmosphere (27,999 spectators) in the stands at Martiricos. Before the game, tributes were paid to ‘Súper Boke,’ recently voted the best mascot in LALIGA, and to Chupe, named LALIGA HYPERMOTION’s player of the month for March.

Funes made just one change to his starting-11, bringing in Rafa for the injured Dotor. As has been customary since the coach took over, the team came out strong, looking for an early goal. In the 8^th minute, Chupe forced former Malaguista Juan Soriano to make a full save.

In the 13^th minute, the Sevilla-born Leganés goalkeeper came up big again, denying a double chance for Puga and Joaquín. Three minutes later, it was Rafa who, from a Larrubia pass, sent a shot over the crossbar. Soriano received a yellow card in the 18^th minute for a strong challenge on Joaquín outside the box.

The ‘Pepinero’ side grew stronger as the game progressed. In the 34^th minute, Millán scored from a Juan Cruz pass, another former Málaga player, but the goal was ruled offside. In minute 42, Dani Rodríguez made an attempt that passed close to the left post. Just before half-time, Chupe finished a counter led by Puga with a high shot.

After the restart, Málaga stuck to the same bold and daring game plan, facing an opponent focused on stopping the Blue and Whites’ attacking flow.

Joaquín had a chance in the 52^nd minute, and Dani Lorenzo, in the 60^th, struck a powerful long-range shot that hit the crossbar.

Asue had the clearest opportunity for the visitors in the 68^th minute during a quick transition. Funes made a double substitution in minute 71, bringing on Dorrio and Víctor for Rafa and Dani Sánchez.

Josue Dorrio, immediately after coming on, forced Juan Soriano into another save in the 74^th minute. The third Málaga substitution saw Jauregi replace Joaquín in the 80^th minute. In that same minute, Dorrio fired a shot close to the right post following a corner.

In the final stretch, Chupe and Larrubia launched a counterattack that the number 10 finished with a shot over the crossbar in the 85^th minute. At the 90th minute mark, Jauregi took a shot inside the box, only to be denied again by a lively Soriano. It was Málaga’s last chance in a match where they tried everything to break the 0-0 deadlock.

With this result, the team reaches 55 points in the standings and remains in 4^th place after 32 matches. Next week brings two away matches: Wednesday 1^st April in Andorra; and Saturday 4^th April in Coruña. Vamos, Málaga!