14 reasons to understand the collapse of Malaga

1-Preparation of the template. Now that things are going badly it is easy to say that the team’s planning carried out by the sporting director, Manolo Gaspar, has been deficient. That statement is as unfair as it is uncertain. Among its options, Málaga took players wanted by other teams such as Víctor Gómez, Javi Jiménez, Brandon, Paulino, Peybernes or Genaro, who had offers from other clubs with greater economic power before CVC. After the agreement, an economic effort could be made by Dani Martín, Antoñín or Sekou and an attempt was made to bring Ontiveros. Unrequited good intentions. This good bet is going bad. And many of these players have not contributed what was expected of them.

2-Risk operations, Some of these operations were daring because they were players from injury. This is the case of Dani Martín or Sekou, of controversial performance. It was also risky to renew Pablo Chavarría, 33 years old and injured from the Crusader instead of incorporating another striker. Everyone was delighted with the arrival of Víctor Gómez despite the fact that, apparently, there were right lanes. In the long run it meant Alexander’s departure. Víctor, on loan from Espanyol, started like a cannon and has now lowered his level.

3-Less use of the quarry. With the lifting of the sanction that prevented more than 18 professionals from being feared, it was no longer necessary to resort to subsidiary players. This, in the long run, has harmed Ale Benítez, who last year was going like a cannon, Alberto Quintana, Cristo, (on loan to Real B), Juan Cruz (who went to Betis B), Mini, (to Atlético B ), Julio, Larrubia or Issa Fomba, who have not played a single game this year. Only Kevin and Roberto have had a leading role. Few appearances by Danio Lorenzo, Haitam and Andrés Caro.

4-Few on loan. It is striking that Malaga has only three players on loan to other teams. The goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettaz, who is experiencing the hard institutional moment that Badajoz is experiencing; Cristo, who is playing less with Sanse and Iván Calero at Alcorcón.

5-José Alberto did not fit. Rarely has a coach been so out of tune with the crowd and, possibly, with part of the squad. The team won at home but did not convince; outside was a mess. As soon as things went wrong at La Rosaleda, the crowd lowered their thumbs and the Spaniard was dismissed after the humiliating 0-5 against Ibiza.

6-The scalpel of Natxo González. The Vitoria coach took on the challenge that others (such as Pep Martí) dismissed. His first mission was to stop the bleeding in defense and although the team seems better positioned, the attack is an ordeal. His four matches present this balance; zero wins, one draw, three losses, one goal for and seven against.

7-Winter signings. Málaga started this market well by incorporating Febas (to compensate for Luis Muñoz’s injury) and Vadillo (because some man left the band). The reality is that Malaga has signed what they could but not what they wanted. In the final stretch he tried to sign a central defender, but the operation shot up to 500,000 euros and he could not get there. Martín Cáceres went to Levante.

8-Injuries. Luis Muñoz’s has done a lot of damage because he is a difficult player to replace. Also that of Genaro because he provided forcefulness in the midfield; each absence of Juande worries because he weakens the center of the defense. The Hicham thing begins to be not normal. Sekou has only played 600 of the 2,520 minutes we have played in the League.

9-Hobby: from reception to criticism. La Rosaleda is having an average attendance of about 12,000 spectators. It is not bad at all given the circumstances of the pandemic and the fact that it is increasingly uncomfortable to go to a soccer field. The fans have gone from massive receptions before the games to one of reproach last Sunday after the defeat against Sanse at the Reale Arena. The captains faced the people. If the team doesn’t win against Cartagena on Monday… beware.

10-Institutional instability. The club has been managed by José María Muñoz for two years, a judicial administrator who is not there to make signings but to balance accounts and that only what is received is spent. Al Thani has appointed lawyers for his trial against the Small Shareholders Association (APA). There are also lawsuits between the sheikh and BlueBay (the hotel company that has 49% of the shares of the still owner of the club) or the judicial administrator against BlueBay for a sponsorship agreement from 2013. As long as this is not resolved, Malaga will continue intervened.

11-Too many expectations. Many people made castles in the air about the aspirations of the promotion team to First. Manolo Gaspar only spoke of improving on last year. This maa streak of a victory in eleven games have made the ears of the wolf. Relegation is a real threat.

12-Lack of union. During many games he has given the feeling that the team was not united, that it was not the pineapple necessary to achieve goals. There are players who must give much more of themselves. More work for Natxo.

13-A disaster away from home. If adding one point out of 15 at La Rosaleda is a hindrance, so is being the second worst visitor in the category. Only seven points. That way you don’t go anywhere.

14-Hand YES. The least of the culprits of the team’s collapse.