After a 0-0 draw with Panathinaikos, but with an aggregate of 2-0, Malaga secured a position in the group stages of the Champions League for the very first time in the club’s history.
After Malaga’s home win against Panathinaikos last week, with goals by Martin Demichelis and Eliseu, the Spaniards were in a more comfortable position than their Greek opponents.
The Spanish side tried to take a lead early on in the game, with shots being fired by the Cameroonian striker, Fabrice Olinga, and Spain’s very own Isco, with both shots getting whizzed past the goal.
The Greeks, however, did not take to these attacks very kindly and responded swiftly with a run by Ibrahim Sissoko, and Nikos Spyropoulos. However, it was to no avail, as Spyropoulos’ cross was not received by anybody on the Greek side.
Panathinaikos had their first scoring opportunity barely 20 minutes into the game, with a free kick opportunity to be taken by Lazaros Christodoulopoulos.
However, the Greek national rammed it straight into the defensive wall, missing an opportunity that could have turned the tables.
After the early excitement, things seemed to settle down in the match, with both sides showing brief instances of flair.
Neither side took the other lightly, and both teams seemed to be playing a game of possession, each testing the other’s midfield and defence, waiting for an opening.
The match ended goalless, securing Malaga’s position in the group stages of the Champions League.
Now, the question is whether this will be the start of a turnaround in Malaga’s recent controversies? Financial problems resulted in the sale of Santi Cazorla, Salomon Rondon, and Joris Mathijsen and as a result, Malaga’s future seemed pretty questionable.
A few months back, former Manchester United Striker, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, even threatened to sue for unpaid wages, and a transfer ban by the LFP was also issued in January, for a missed payment to Osasuna, for the purchase of Nacho Monreal.
Even Fernando Hierro quit his position of sporting director for the club, lasting only ten months, due to the fact that the owners did not seem interested enough in the club.
However, this week we see that Manuel Iturra is likely to join in the ranks of the Qatar-owned, Spanish team.
The Chilean national may be a replacement for Enzo Maresca, who is rumoured to be moving to Serie A team, Sampdoria.
With experience in the Spain’s Segunda Division last year, and ten caps for his country, the 28-year-old may prove to be a valuable asset for Malaga.
Alongside him, Manchester City’s Santa Cruz, who scored 7 goals in 31 appearances last season for Real Betis, may also be joining the ranks.
Betis were interested in another year’s loan for the 31-year-old Paraguayan; however, Malaga that snatched the opportunity as soon as it peeked its head.
All in all, it seems like Malaga may be back on track. Qualifying for the group stages of the Champions League is exactly what they needed right now.
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