Málaga CF are urgently chasing their first league win of the season after a difficult start back in the top flight. The team trained in the rain this Tuesday at the annex facilities, continuing an intensive week of work that the coaching staff has used as an improvised mini-pre-season.

Juanfran Funes's squad had the weekend off and returned to action on Monday morning. Tuesday's session, which started at 10:30, included a technical talk from the coach, physical activation work with and without the ball, possession drills, and specific tactical exercises. The same schedule will be followed on Wednesday and Thursday, with a move to the La Rosaleda pitches planned for the final day of preparation.

Absences and returns in the group

On the personnel front, Juan Cruz completed his second consecutive session with the group after overcoming a muscular overload, working progressively. However, the list of absentees remains long. Jens Cajuste, Diego Murillo, Aarón Ochoa, and Julen Lobete continue their respective recovery programmes away from the main group. Also, Rafita and Chupe are absent after being called up by the Spain under-21 national team.

The situation in the standings, where Málaga CF are bottom with just three points from seven games, adds pressure to this preparation phase. The team are five matches without a win, on a run of two defeats and two draws in their most recent outings. Their next opponent, Espanyol, sit in 15th place, making Friday's clash a key opportunity to break the poor run and make the much-needed leap up the table. Fans can check the full schedule on our fixtures page and monitor the squad's evolution on squad.

Merino transmits confidence

Amid this context, the voice of midfielder Izan Merino has served to transmit a message of optimism within the camp. "We just need that first win to start moving up," declared the player. Merino extended his reflection to the good atmosphere in the dressing room, a factor he considers vital to turning things around. "We believe in ourselves. We know that, besides being a good team that plays good football and works hard, off the pitch we are also friends. I think that's very important," he added.

The footballer, who is yet to open his scoring account with the Málaga first team, expressed his hope that the moment would come soon, preferably at home. His call for calm was clear: "The fans can be calm, because victory is closer than far away. This break will be good for us." The team faces the return to competition with the clear objective of correcting a course that has so far yielded three goals scored and twelve conceded.

The match is on Friday, 9 October at 21:00 at La Rosaleda, a stadium where Málaga CF urgently need to start taking three points. The game against Espanyol will mark the end of this careful week of work and a potential turning point in a season that demands an immediate reaction. The team will return to training at the La Rosaleda facilities this Tuesday at 10:30.

Background and full detail: malagahoy.es