Funes asks Malaga to focus on football vs Getafe

Juanfran Funes appeared this Saturday ahead of Malaga’s clash with Getafe with a clear message: “More than thinking about results, you have to think about the game.” The coach wants the team to stop being dragged by starting the round in last place, saying that if you stay focused on football “you don’t think about other things.” In his view, anything outside the pitch is just “noise” the dressing room must shake off.

Better play, with and without it

Funes asked Malaga to be strong both in possession and out of it. He believes Getafe will be a demanding opponent because they “leave little space between the lines” and “switch well the height of their pressing,” so Malaga will need to keep its identity while adapting: “We are not going to give up our identity, but we have to know how to adapt to it.”

He also hinted at tactical flexibility. Funes said he could change the system and use Larrubia as a number-ten/attacking midfield role, a position he already played in the youth team: “It’s a resource we’ll use more times this season.” He also mentioned the possibility of playing with two strikers: when opponents press high, spaces open up and, as he put it, it’s better to attack those balls with two players rather than one.

Shooting quality and a confidence boost

The coach underlined that Malaga must improve their attacking output. After the match against Villarreal, he noted it was their lowest number of shots on target, though he insisted quality matters more than quantity: “It’s not only about shooting, it’s about having quality. We have to occupy the box.” He expects the team’s first in-play goal of the campaign to provide a boost: “I think the goal the other day should give us confidence.”

Funes also highlighted Recio for his early-season form, praising his “maturity” and “done everything with naturalness.” Finally, he pointed to the upcoming international break: it gives Malaga three weeks to work and recover players, which he said will “come very well” so they can focus on “many things” (according to MARCA).