Adam Aznou is in line to make his debut for Málaga CF in the upcoming league match against Espanyol. The left-back, now recovered from muscular issues, is ready to play and is a strong candidate to start in the game on 9 October at La Rosaleda, the team's first fixture after the international break.
This potential debut comes at a critical time for the side, which sits 20th in La Liga with just three points from seven games. The need for a positive result is pressing, and Aznou's availability offers relief in a position that has been under strain.
Salinas ruled out by loan clause
Aznou's chance is amplified because José Salinas will be unavailable against Espanyol. The full-back, on loan from a Catalan club, has a non-concurrence clause in his loan agreement, commonly known as a 'fear clause', which prevents him from facing the Periquitos. His absence forces the coaching staff to look for alternatives on the left flank.
Rafita returns from U21 duty
Another key player, Rafita, will rejoin the squad with limited preparation time. The midfielder has been called up by the Spain under-21 national team for matches against San Marino and Romania on 4 and 6 October. This means he will have only one or two training sessions with Málaga CF before the league encounter, a factor the coaching team must manage.
Injury update
On the injury front, the picture is slowly improving. Juan Cruz, dealing with overload, and Jens Cajuste, with a muscular complaint, are the only absentees with a realistic chance of being fit for the match. Cajuste managed some minutes against Levante but is now training separately. Others like Diego Murillo, Aaron Ochoa and Julen Lobete continue their recovery with no return date set. Fernando Calero, however, is fully fit and available.
The context is challenging. Málaga CF are on a run of five games without a win, with two draws and three defeats, and are desperate to change their fortunes against an Espanyol side sitting 15th. The home game at La Rosaleda presents a key opportunity to break the negative cycle. The full schedule for this decisive period can be found on our fixtures page.
A potential start for Adam Aznou would mark a significant shift in the defensive line. His professional debut for Málaga CF's first team could come on 9 October, in a scenario of utmost importance for the club.
Background and full detail: Sport.es
