Málaga CF hit with an unexpected blow in the middle of a key week

Málaga Club de Fútbol

The schedule leaves Málaga little room for manoeuvre. With the transfer window already closed and the match against Levante just around the corner, Funes loses options in a squad that has been dealing with physical problems since the start of the season. The situation hits especially hard in the attacking department, where the team had considered strengthening itself in the final hours of the window.

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The most serious case is that of Julen Lobete. The winger suffered an accidental incident during Thursday's session and medical tests have confirmed an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament and the internal collateral ligament of his left knee. The Málaga CF has reported that the player will be operated on shortly, although it has not yet set a recovery timeline.

The cruciate issue turns the setback into a long-term injury. For Lobete, it is also the third major physical problem since joining the club. In August 2024 he had a problem in his left foot during a match against Mirandés; first, a possible fracture of the sesamoid was discussed, but it was later determined to be a sprain in the metatarsophalangeal joint, and he was able to return sooner than expected.

He also spent several matchdays out of the squad last campaign due to right knee discomfort at the end of January. On that occasion, Funes ruled out a serious injury and the player eventually returned to training.

Ochoa will also have to undergo surgery

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Aarón Ochoa
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The other piece of news affects Aarón Ochoa. The Marbella midfielder initially opted for conservative treatment for the injury to the right knee's external meniscus diagnosed in mid-August, but the progress made over the past few weeks has led to a change of plan. He will finally go under the knife on Monday 7 September in Madrid, with Dr Manuel Leyes.

The blow comes just as Ochoa was starting to show positive signs. This Wednesday he had returned progressively to training with his team-mates and even got back on the ball at the Anexo de La Rosaleda. The idea was to see whether he could avoid surgery, an option that has now been ruled out.

For the 19-year-old youth player, who is under contract until 2029, it is another setback at a delicate moment. Last season he played 24 LaLiga matches, scored two goals and provided three assists for the team that won promotion. In his two campaigns in Segunda División, he has amassed 50 league appearances with the first team.

The Blanquiazul treatment room was already busy. At the start of the week, Adrián Niño, Fernando Calero, Moussa and Diego Murillo were still working away from the group due to their respective recovery processes. The positive note is that Niño was back on the pitch this Friday and could return soon, with the doubt over whether he will make it in time to be included in the squad for the Levante match.

Málaga host Sunday 6 September against the Granota side at La Rosaleda, at 18:30, in the fourth matchday of LaLiga, after picking up a point in their first three games of the season.