Málaga's remarkable rise: From relegation fears to play-off contenders in just eight weeks
Under Juanfran Funes, Málaga CF have transformed into Spain's most in-form team, outperforming even Barcelona and Real Madrid in recent matches.
The Costa del Sol outfit have gone from staring down the barrel of relegation to becoming Spain’s most in-form side in a matter of weeks. Talk about a proper turnaround!
Funes’ Midas Touch
Since Juanfran Funes took the reins at Málaga, the club has been on an absolute tear. Eight matches unbeaten, including five consecutive victories, have completely transformed their season. This remarkable run hasn’t just caught the eye in Segunda División – it’s making waves across the entire Spanish football landscape.
In fact, over the last five matches, Málaga have collected more points than any other team in Spanish football. They’ve outperformed even the big boys from Primera:
- Málaga: 15 points from 5 matches
- Celta: 13 points
- Real Madrid and Barcelona: 12 points each
In their own Segunda División, only Castellón comes anywhere close to matching Málaga’s blistering pace, having managed 10 points from their last 15 available.
Historic Numbers
When you look at Funes’ entire tenure so far, the numbers remain equally impressive. Six wins and two draws have yielded 20 points – a tally only bettered by Hansi Flick’s Barcelona (21 points) during the same period. That puts them ahead of Castellón (19), Racing (15), Celta (19) and even the mighty Real Madrid (17).
This run of five consecutive victories is particularly significant for the club. Málaga haven’t achieved such a streak in professional football since the 2018-19 season, and before that, not since 2015-16 when they were in La Liga under Javi Gracia. Proper Adam and Eve stuff, that.
Keeping Feet on the Ground
Despite the euphoria sweeping through La Rosaleda, Funes is determined to keep expectations in check. “We don’t look at the league table. Thinking about it puts limits on you,” the gaffer explained, preferring to focus on his players’ development and maintaining their competitive edge.
While the manager preaches calm, Málaga supporters can’t help but get excited. The club now sits sixth in the table, firmly in the play-off positions, and showing no signs of slowing down. From relegation fears to promotion dreams – what a difference two months makes in football!