Málaga CF faces the week after a heavy defeat in LaLiga's third matchday and the closure of a transfer window that brought two signings from foreign leagues. The Blue and Whites were beaten 4-0 by Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu last Sunday, as reported by Dawn Sport, while Sport.es details the arrivals of full-back Adam Aznou and midfielder Jean Cajuste.
Who are Málaga's new signings?
Sport.es reports that Málaga CF completed its summer transfer market with eight signings, most from Spanish teams. However, two of them, finalized in the last days, come from foreign leagues. Sporting director Loren Juarros strengthened the left-back and midfield positions with Adam Aznou, arriving from England's Everton, and Jean Cajuste, from Italy's Napoli.
Adam Aznou is a 24-year-old left-back, born in Barcelona and a Moroccan international. He came through the youth ranks of CF Damm and FC Barcelona before moving to Bayern Munich in 2022. Cajuste, meanwhile, is a 26-year-old Swedish midfielder with 25 caps. He developed in Swedish football and made the jump to Midtjylland before joining Napoli for 12 million euros in 2023. Both additions aim to bring international experience to a squad already listed on our squad page.
What does Aznou bring to left-back?
According to Sport.es's analysis, Adam Aznou is a full-back with a marked offensive character. His main strength appears when he receives the ball and can take on opponents, using his speed and change of pace to beat lines and turn recoveries into attacking moves. He doesn't just stay wide, but can also cut inside and participate in build-up, acting as an inverted full-back.
Scouting reports highlight his ability to combine, carry, and progress with the ball. During his loan spell at Real Valladolid in the second half of the 2024/25 season, he completed an average of 2.0 dribbles per 90 minutes, ranking second among defenders with at least 500 minutes played. Aznou also showed defensive solidity, averaging 2.81 tackles per match. His most recent LaLiga experience, with 13 matches played, is the closest reference for Málaga.
How will Cajuste play in midfield?
Jean Cajuste brings a physical profile and great engine to Málaga's midfield. Standing at 1.88 meters, he is a midfielder capable of pressing, covering ground, and participating in both recovery and ball distribution. Sport.es notes he can play as a central midfielder or in a more advanced role, though his main virtues appear in defensive and covering tasks.
Last season he played on loan at Ipswich Town in the Premier League, where he made 31 appearances, 14 as a starter, scoring one goal and providing three assists. In the 2024/25 season he had already played 30 matches in the English top flight. His arrival aims to add presence and work rate to a midfield facing a demanding schedule, including the next home match against Athletic Club on November 29th, according to our fixtures data.
What happened in the defeat to Real Madrid?
Dawn Sport reported that Málaga CF fell to a 4-0 defeat in their visit to the Santiago Bernabéu. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring in the 19th minute after a great solo run, and a own goal from goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero extended the lead seven minutes later. Kylian Mbappé scored the third in the 30th minute, and Arda Guler sealed the rout in the second half. Real Madrid manager José Mourinho told Real Madrid TV that the second half was "more about managing the game, at a lower tempo."
The website Managing Madrid provided statistical data on the match. Málaga remain winless in their 42 visits to the Bernabéu, including the Club Deportivo era. It is Real Madrid's longest unbeaten home streak against the same opponent in LaLiga. For the Blue and Whites, this defeat marks their second loss in their first three league games. The team now prepares to correct mistakes and improve performance, with the current standings available in our standings section. Málaga CF's next official fixture is the home league match against Athletic Club, scheduled for November 29th.
