Temporada 2000-2001

The last season that Fernando Puche was head of the Club had an exceptional ending. Málaga Club de Fútbol finished in eighth place, with 56 points, much closer to a European position.

The season started with a significant absence; Catanha had signed for Celta Vigo. In his place came Julio César Dely Valdés, who arrived with the intention of filling the gap left by the Hispano-Brazilian. The Panamanian did not disappoint and scored 17 goals. From then on the era of the ‘Double D’ started, with Dely Valdés and Darío Silva as Málaga’s dual strike force.

Darío was also set up as the hero of the 14th game of the season between Málaga and Valladolid, which took place on 10th December 2000, when he scored one of the quickest goals in the history of Spanish football, in just seven seconds!

There was other good news for Málaga, when Rufete became the fourth footballer from Málaga Club de Fútbol to be chosen for Spain’s National squad, after Migueli, Macías and Deusto. Meanwhile the Club continued to consolidate its position in Spain’s First Division.

In his first year playing for Málaga, Panamanian Dely Valdés scored 16 goals and was the best goal scorer for the blue and white team together with Darío Silva who scored 13.