Funes ramps up minutes ahead of LaLiga opener against Atlético

Málaga's preseason enters its decisive phase. After friendlies against Al-Arabi and the one they're playing Friday in Ceuta, just one more test remains against Fulham on the Costa del Sol before the official competition arrives.

Funes has changed approach in these final warm-ups. In the first two friendlies against Leicester and Al-Ittihad he distributed minutes evenly—most players got 45 minutes each—but now he wants his squad to handle greater loads. Against Al-Arabi, the starters played over 60 minutes, with staggered substitutions after the hour. This Friday in Ceuta he'll follow a similar plan, giving more minutes to those who accumulated less.

The Málaga boss explained his thinking to Sport: «We see the team with better rhythm. It's important to accumulate minutes». With just ten days until the League opener at the Metropolitano against Atlético Madrid, these matches become increasingly close to competitive reality. Funes needs everyone ready to go the full 90 minutes.