Juanfran Funes at Malaga: tests ahead vs Espanyol and Real Sociedad

Malaga CF are preparing to return to LaLiga EA Sports under Juanfran Funes after an unusual start: seven matches in one month, with heavy squad rotation driven by injuries. That tight run even affected the timing of some fixtures. LaLiga now reverts to its usual weekly rhythm, with no midweek matchdays until April and the Copa del Rey due to arrive at the end of October.

At La Rosaleda, the starting XI debate is open across positions except in goal, where Alfonso Herrero has the spot. In central defence for the trip to face Espanyol, Ángel Recio, Einar Galilea, Fernando Calero and Juan Berrocal are available, while Diego Murillo is the only one still to return. His role, along with the level shown so far, makes a change unlikely. The full-back areas are also unsettled: Rafita has been called up to Spain Under-21s, playing on Tuesday in Ibiza, so he may only have two training sessions at best before Espanyol, with José Salinas and Carlos Puga leading the race.

In midfield, Izan Merino, Rafa Rodríguez, Dani Lorenzo, Carlos Dotor and Pablo Martínez are in contention. Jeans Cajuste has not yet returned to first-team training due to injury, while Ramón has managed up to 45 consecutive minutes. Up front, Malaga face another decision over whether to use one or two centre-forwards: Chupe has scored once, Adrián Niño has had only a few minutes after returning from injury, and Eneko Jauregi impressed in the first half against Getafe. The first of these “exams” is Espanyol, followed by Real Sociedad. According to Sport, these training weeks will settle the plan at Martiricos.