Málaga CF coach Juanfran Funes has stated that the team needs to score two or more goals to have any chance of winning. He set the tone ahead of Thursday's key match against Villarreal at La Rosaleda, a clash between two sides currently battling in the relegation zone.
The fixture comes after a tough start to the season for the Andalusian club. Málaga's recent form reads zero wins, three draws, and two losses from their last five outings. Their most recent result was a 1-1 draw away to Celta Vigo on September 13, with Adrián Niño scoring a late equaliser. Funes described the campaign as a long-distance race that will demand maximum effort. "It's going to cost us blood, sweat, and tears," the manager said, emphasising the primary goal is to keep the club in the top flight after an eight-year absence.
The offensive demand
The analysis of the opponent leaves little doubt about the challenge. Funes highlighted that Villarreal averages over 15 shots per game and that, based on their numbers, they "should be in Champions League positions". Yet, the league table places them, like Málaga, in the bottom reaches, with one point fewer. To compete, the Málaga boss believes his team must be more decisive in attack. He acknowledged they have shown control in some matches, like at Balaídos where they won six corners to Celta's one, but they lack the finishing touch to convert chances.
The market and the urgency
With the transfer window closing soon, questions about potential signings were inevitable. Funes confirmed the club now has some margin within its salary limit, having previously been near the cap. While admitting Real Madrid's budget is vastly larger, he insisted the priority isn't just adding players, but getting immediate contributions. "It's not that someone can't come now, it's that we need immediate performance," he stated. The coach explained that some players arriving after a period of inactivity might need a pre-season, something the team, in a fierce battle, cannot afford.
Planning for the match is helped by an extra day of rest compared to Villarreal, a detail that could influence rotations. Funes also touched on debates about hydration breaks, advocating for equal conditions for all La Liga teams. Regarding the detention of Rakan Al-Thani, the coach said he could not assess its impact due to a lack of legal knowledge.
The road is hard, but the mentality must be one of resilience. Funes noted the team has already taken some blows and will take more, but the directive is not to give up and to fight "until the last drop". After the Villarreal clash, the schedule sees Málaga CF preparing for their next home fixture against Athletic Club on November 29. Fans can track the team's progress and check the squad and upcoming fixtures.
Background and full detail: Sport.es
