Málaga are five points behind Villarreal heading into this weekend's matches and still have an outside chance of making into a Europa League spot, but will have to get by a stingy Rayo Vallecano side at the Estadio del Rayo Vallecano.
First year manager, Javi Garcia, is doing a great job with the resources that were provided to him. However, Málaga have not been great away from home in recent times as they have only won once in their last five (including a club friendly against CKSA Moscow) on the road. Not only have they only gained three points during that time frame, the anchovies have only scored two times during that run. In their last match, against Granada, a 58th minute goal from 21-year-old Roberto Ibañez sealed the three points for the hosts.
“It’s going to be a difficult game, for us no match is straightforward. It’ll be demanding, Rayo have won their last three home games, including against Villarreal. It may possibly be a more open match, we’ll need to defend well and ensure we’re on top form when defending our goal area, as if not we’ll struggle like Levante, who conceded four goals in 15 minutes. I think we’re both attacking teams. The rival’s style of play, strategy and approach doesn’t change, regardless of who’s in the line-up,” said Málagas Javi Garcia.
After already losing Roberto Chen for the season as he suffered a torn ACL, Málaga will be without midfielder Ignacio Camacho for a while as he will undergo pelvic surgery next week. Camacho has been a mainstay in the midfield as he made 22 appearances, playing over 1900 minutes of football and being substituted just once so far in the league.
For Rayo Vallecano, they are really good play when they play their football in front of their supporters. The red sashes have won their last three matches at home against the likes of Villarreal, Levante, and Granada. The most impressive victory of the lot was a 2-0 win over Villarreal back in the middle of February. In that match, second half goals came from Gael Kakuta and Bueno as they looked like they were the better side on the night despite most of the stats being fairly even. Vallecano will have to be at their best tomorrow evening if they want to move into the top half of the table; with the chance of moving into the eighth spot.
Paco Jémez will be pleased that he has has a mostly full squad to choose from for tomorrow. Tono, who has been dealing with a thigh strain injury since February of 2014, has aggrivated it once again and is still out as he will miss this clash with Málaga on Saturday.