The surprising team of last year's league was Málaga, but now this club will being their 29th season in the Spanish top flight with expectations they have never had up to now. Their youth and experience made them a team that was a threat until the tail end of the season for a spot in European Cup places in only their first season back from second division. What made it more amazing was the fact that they were the team that did the most with the least as far as budget was concerned.
2009-10 will be a season where the Boquerones will have to try and top their previous performance with the same theory.

Although Nabil Bahawill still be up front, lost one of their offensive sparkplugs in midfielder Eliseu to Lazio. The Brazilian was key in generating offense and was one of the club's leading scorers.

Free Players vs. Loaners

Málaga have been able to have a good eye and find players from other teams' reserve sides and sign them. One of the more interesting ones was Xavi Torres who was given his freedom by Barcelona B. Xavi was a starter on Barcelona´s first team last season and happened to start in the game against Mallorca after the team had won the second of three titles past season.

There was a great deal of changes on the team during the off-season as ten players left because their loan condition ended. The only exception was Albert Luque who was able to part ways with Ajax.
Although last year´s succes has gone down in team lore, the long term is virtually non-existent. The biggest loss coming into the season will be that of Duda, who returned to Sevilla after a loan stint.

Tunisian international and former Qadsia Sports Club midfielder Selim Ben Achour was signed to shore up the Málaga midfielder.

One bit of good news was the possibilty of signing former Ajax forward Albert Luque and he is formally able to return to Málaga officially. Luque was a formal cog of the puzzle and as he contributed to the club with eight goals in 32 matches last season.

Coiffeurs The Same
There was little change in the budget for Malaga as they earned a net €100,000 during the summer transfer market. Eliseu´s sale to Lazio allowed Málaga to obtain the services of Portuguese international Edinho, who arrives from AEK Athens.

Watch Out With...
Italian U-21 player Fernando Forestieri could make a splash by the time the season ends. The young man from Rosario, Argentina could have a breakout season and may turn Marcello Lippi´s head when he is given the chance. The former Boca Juniors youth player was going to have a tough time getting laying time when Hernán Crespo, Rodrigo Palacio, Roberto Acquafresca, Luciano Figueroa, and Rafaella Palladino over him, Fernando has the opportunity of a lifetime to play for a team like Málaga and be able to give himself a chance to etch a place for himself with Genoa for the future.


Players In
Xavi Torres
Mtliga
Gustavo Munúa
Valdo *
Alcalá
Omar
Milan Stepanov *
Fernando Forestieri*
Albert Luque
Jordi Pablo
Edinho
Juanito

*- loan

Players Out
Goitia*
Duda*
Pablo Barros*
Lolo*
Adriano*
Nacho*
Adrián López*
Calleja
Rossato
Miguel Ángel
Cheli
Eliseu
Silva

*- loan