Malaga — Granada : Match Preview and Prediction for September 06,2025

Malaga’s Deceptive Start

Malaga’s early season form, marked by an accumulation of seven points from three matches, appears quite promising on paper. However, a deeper dive into their actual performance reveals a more concerning picture beneath the surface-level statistics. Their most recent encounter against Las Palmas was, frankly, a fortunate escape. A narrow 1-0 victory was secured despite the opponent’s overwhelming dominance throughout the game.

Unmasking Malaga’s Underlying Statistics

A closer look at the key metrics, rather than just the final score, paints a clearer and less flattering portrait. Malaga’s ball possession stood at a mere 32%. Las Palmas unleashed 14 shots at goal compared to the “Anchovies'” 9, with a significant 6 of those on target. In contrast, Malaga managed just one solitary shot on target throughout the entire match, which serendipitously became their winning goal. The true hero of that victory was undoubtedly goalkeeper Alfonso Herrero, whose six heroic saves were the primary reason for the clean sheet, rather than any systemic brilliance from the team. The Expected Goals (xG) metric further supports this, with Malaga registering 0.60 xG against their opponent’s 0.73, unequivocally indicating that this win did not logically follow the flow of play.

Coach’s Concerns and Squad Challenges

Head coach Sergio Pellicer is acutely aware of the team’s true situation. He wisely refrains from succumbing to early season euphoria and openly addresses the danger of complacency. This serves as a clear warning signal, not an affirmation of confidence. Adding to their challenges, the team has lost forward Adrián Niño, who has been called up to Spain’s youth national team. This represents a tangible and significant blow to Malaga’s attacking options.

Granada’s Rocky Beginning and Underlying Strengths

Zero points after three rounds paints a truly grim initial picture for Granada, leading many to hastily dismiss their prospects. However, it’s crucial not to judge solely on superficial results. A key detail often overlooked is their profound lack of discipline, vividly demonstrated by three consecutive red cards in as many matches! This constant numerical disadvantage fundamentally shattered any tactical plan or game strategy.

Tactical Refinement and Strategic Signings

Granada’s underlying issues are not a deficiency in quality, but rather a series of inexplicable individual errors and disciplinary lapses. The team has consistently failed to execute on the pitch what is meticulously practiced in training. Yet, this narrative is poised for a significant shift. The club has undertaken robust work in the transfer market, successfully bringing in talent such as Rubén Alcaraz, Luka Gagnidze, Mohamed Bouldini, and Alex Sola. Coach Pacheta now commands a far more balanced and versatile squad, offering considerable tactical flexibility.

Granada: A Team Primed for Resurgence

Even Malaga’s coach, Sergio Pellicer, acknowledges the inherent strength of his upcoming opponent, remarking that, based purely on squad quality, Granada should undoubtedly be competing at the very top of the table. These are not idle words; Granada is a club with La Liga-level caliber, whose pure player selection surpasses many teams currently in the Segunda. Their previous problems were largely temporary, stemming from initial lack of cohesion and acute disciplinary failures. Now, with a refreshed roster and a dedicated focus on correcting past mistakes, we anticipate witnessing a completely different, far more formidable team.