Regardless of what happens in the final three matchdays of LaLiga Hypermotion or the hypothetical month of June, the 2025/26 season has already left an indelible mark on Málaga CF and its supporters. What unfolded this Saturday was far more than a 2-1 comeback victory over Sporting Gijón—it was a heroic turnaround, but the images from this weekend will linger in memory for a long time, serving as an exciting preview of what might lie ahead.
Many aspects of the match against Borja Jiménez’s side deserve analysis, but one stood out that had to be experienced firsthand. Describing and conveying exactly what happened during that 20-minute stretch is no easy task. On Saturday, La Rosaleda was a boiling cauldron, despite having to come from behind, enduring Carlos Dotor’s red card, and holding its breath against multiple opponent attacks.
A Night to Remember
From Chupe’s equalizer (1-1), every corner kick was celebrated, every recovery, every shot—absolutely everything. When Joaquín scored the winner, it was hard to find a single person still seated. The Sporting players might have been the only ones sitting, because the malaguismo faithful celebrated on their feet a victory that carried a clear awareness: it meant more than just three points. And when referee Sánchez López blew the final whistle, the real party began—a celebration shared by the team and its people.
Happiness was palpable in every square meter of the stadium. Nearly 28,000 people packed the arena, along with all those who had to experience it from outside the city with the most sincere emotion. Adrián Niño roamed the pitch in his fish costume, mimicking a boquerón. Chupe (20 goals) and Jauregi (the forward with the fewest minutes) embraced as if competition didn’t exist between them—because in truth, it doesn’t. Montero, who lost his starting spot against Eibar, was jumping as enthusiastically as anyone. This group is something special, as they always say.
The Fans, United as One Voice
The stands were no less electric. People descended the stairs singing as if the ball were still rolling, as if the three points were still at stake and depended on the malaguismo spirit. “Sí se puede” and “que sí, joder, que vamos a ascender” became the soundtrack of the exit, as fans left their seats and every foundation of La Rosaleda echoed with absolute conviction that this 25/26 Málaga CF is writing one of the most beautiful chapters in the club’s history. How could they not?
The bars in the surrounding area were no different, letting the chants continue. Neither were the cars, in a perfect symphony of celebrations blending shouts, honks, and waves of people opening their windows to wave their scarves. Some might say it’s jumping ahead to victory, but it’s about living each moment of the present with eyes wide open. What comes later will be a matter for later.
And this isn’t something new now that the standings place the team in fourth place. During the Christmas break, nearly 9,000 fans attended an open training session. Moreover, Martiricos stadium is on track to improve last season’s attendance numbers, which already set a record in recent years—with fewer than 50 empty seats remaining for each match.
One More Match… For Now
Málaga CF will have at least one more home game at La Rosaleda this season. It will be on matchday 41 against Racing de Santander, coached by former blanquiazul José Alberto López. Funes’ side could arrive with promotion playoffs already secured, or with any possibility still open, but either way it feels like a gift before the moment of truth—given what has been experienced and what is yet to come.
