Málaga CF's Preseason
Juanfran Funes held his first press conference of the preseason on Wednesday. He discussed the Trofeo Costa del Sol Cervezas Victoria match, where teams showed high physical fitness and demanded a lot from each other. Despite initial impressions, Funes expressed his wish to have more matches like this one to reach competition pace.
Match Analysis
The coach recognized that the opposing teams are very good with their physicality. He stated that they've made good steps forward but emphasized the need for patience to adapt to this level of demand. Funes highlighted team work and patience in gradually improving.
Trial Lineup
Funes explained that he hasn't yet determined the starting lineup and will do so only before the match, stating that 15 minutes of quality can be more interesting than a full starting eleven. This reflects his approach to evaluating all players during preseason.
Transfer Market
Funes talked about the transfer market, emphasizing that they will continue to value current players and seek improvement in defending without possession. He stated that they are not looking for famous names but rather players who can strengthen the club's project.
Balancing Defense
The coach emphasized the need to balance defense without compromising offensive play. He pointed out that recovery processes are slow, and players must accumulate games to reach their best level.
Team Situation
Funes expressed concern about the lack of healthy central defenders, noting that the team needs to improve in defending without possession. He recalled how other teams crumbled without injuries and how Málaga CF maintained its position thanks to players who arrived during difficult times.
Other News
Ochoa, Juani, and Otu were mentioned as young players with great potential. Funes expressed satisfaction with their work, noting that they must adapt to the first team's pace.
