Funes' first rotation gamble backfires against Real Sociedad B
Málaga manager Juanfran Funes' experimental lineup changes failed to deliver, forcing a rapid return to his trusted regulars during their Segunda División clash.
Málaga’s gaffer Juanfran Funes finally rolled the dice with his starting eleven, but his first major rotation since taking the reins at La Rosaleda didn’t exactly go according to plan.
The unexpected shake-up
Up until the Real Sociedad B match, the Loja-born manager had been as predictable as rain in Manchester - sticking to stable lineups and avoiding dramatic changes between matchdays unless absolutely necessary. But this time, he tore up his own rulebook.
The surprise team sheet saw both Chupe and Izan Merino dropped to the bench, alongside Dani Lorenzo - though the Marbella lad’s omission was down to a knock he picked up against Cultural. In their places, Funes went with:
- Aaron Ochoa (the most predictable of the changes)
- Juanpe
- Adrián Niño
The rest of the eleven remained unchanged from Funes’ usual preferred starters.
Quick correction needed
The rotation, intended to give the squad a breather and spread the minutes around, went Pete Tong rather quickly. The boss found himself having to bin the experiment before the clock hit the hour mark.
By minute 62, all three of the ‘new’ starters had been hauled off - Juanpe, Niño, and Ochoa all making way as Funes scrambled to get his reliable performers back on the pitch.
Juanpe’s difficult return
Particularly telling was the case of Juanpe, the midfielder on loan from Lugo. This marked his first league start since getting crocked against Córdoba in the first half of the season.
While he showed decent decision-making and composure in possession, without the ball he was having a right mare. Looking off the pace, struggling with defensive transitions, and finding himself second-best in numerous duels, he resorted to committing multiple fouls. One of these earned him a booking, hastening his substitution.
By the start of the second half, Izan Merino was already back on the grass, with Funes’ rotation experiment effectively abandoned.