Of the March 25, 2012, when Philippe Coutinho played with Espanyol – not in vain, that day he scored – dates the last defeat of the parrots against Malaga (1-2), rival this day in the reunion between both teams in the Second Division. Since then, and as if by magic, the matches have always been towards the same team or, failing that, with draws. Never a victory for the Malacitanos.
Are 12 the games that Espanyol has played without losing against Malaga, all from LaLiga and First (not counting, therefore, the 0-3 friendly this preseason in Marbella, which are divided into seven wins and five draws. Or what is the same, the parrots have added 26 points of the last 36 in play, while their rival has only been able to add five. And the statistics not only does not improve for anchovies, but it even worsens, if only the matches played are counted at La Rosaleda, where Espanyol has five victories and a draw, 16 points out of 18 possible, by one of the premises. There, Málaga's last triumph dates from October 30, 2011. Nine years ago.
A little less than two and a half years have passed since the last meeting, on May 13, 2018, in which Espanyol did not play anything – Quique Sánchez Flores was already deposed and with David Gallego victorious in front – and neither did Málaga, because he was evicted and relegated.
It was the penultimate day and the parrots won, at the RCDE Stadium, by an impressive 4-1. Gerard Moreno, Sergio García, Leo Baptistao and Pablo Piatti, from a penalty, made a goal poker and Adrián did the honor, also with a maximum penalty.