Juande Rivas is available again and Malaga appreciates it. The central defender scored his second goal of the season against Amorebieta (He already saw the door in El Molinón) and starred in a good performance. Málaga is more Málaga if Juande is on the pitch. Their level in terms of performance is above what they contribute Lombán and Peybernes, who in recent games have also taken a step forward and their performance has improved.
The numbers are overwhelming when it comes to Juande. The defender also had a less accurate streak (he was present in the goals conceded against Mirandés, 3-0, and Ibiza, 0-5), but the truth is that the blue and white team is much more solvent and reliable when he is available and on the field of play. The central defender has participated in 20 games, in which Málaga has added 29 points. practically 50 percent. On the other hand, those from La Rosaleda have had to face ten games without his reference defense and the numbers are significantly poorer: 7 points out of 30 possible. Less than 25%.
Natxo González is very clear that it is essential to raise the defensive level to achieve good results, score points and climb the standings. Málaga conceded seven goals in the Vitoria-born coach’s first four games on the bench. That average of almost two goals conceded per game has been reduced in the last two games, in which the Blue and Whites have conceded one goal per game. The goal is to start keeping a clean sheet, something that Malaga has not yet achieved under the tutelage of the Basque coach.
Juande must contribute to this defensive improvement, as he hopes to leave behind the muscle problems that have punished him in recent months, in which he has chained up to four physical mishaps.