On a day like today a year ago there were two stenos in Malaga that have been decisive in stopping the sport's decline of a team adrift under the dire hands of Abdullah Al Thani. We are talking about Sergio Pellicer and Juande Rivas.
The coach took over the leadership of the first team after the controversial dismissal of Víctor Sánchez del Amo in a vital match against Ponferradina. Malaga had 23 points, only one above relegation. Any result other than adding the three points would be dramatic.
Pellicer took courage and made Juande debut, a central defender who had participated in some calls without being released. It was a situation of extreme urgency. And the kid did better than good. Málaga obtained an agonizing victory with a goal from Antinín, the first brick to build the wall of salvation. Since then, Juande has played a total of 27 games. It so happens that, from that call, only three footballers remain in the team, the aforementioned Juande, Hicham and the young goalkeeper Gonzalo. Much change!
The scorer defender
Juande has scored four goals and is, at the moment, the defender who has scored the most goals in professional football. This is a specialty where Sergio Ramos stands out, who did eleven last season. This course takes two. Alberto Escassi scored seven goals with Numancia. This year he has achieved one. Juande's records would have increased had it not been for the untimely injury from which he has already recovered.