Tickets for Málaga CF - Racing de Santander in LaLiga

Málaga CF - Racing de Santander: top-flight returnees seek important points at La Rosaleda

Málaga CF and Racing de Santander meet on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at 14:00 local time at Estadio La Rosaleda. The LaLiga EA Sports matchday 12 fixture brings together two clubs that returned to the top tier of Spanish football this season but faced different problems in the opening ten rounds. Málaga are still waiting for their first league victory, while Racing have earned all their points at home.

The meeting on Paseo de Martiricos therefore carries clear sporting significance. The hosts want to end their winless run and start closing the gap on the clubs outside the relegation zone. Racing, who made a better start to the season, are seeking their first away points and an opportunity to move further away from the dangerous part of the table. Six points separate the teams after ten rounds, but their results reveal equally pronounced weaknesses.

La Rosaleda, a stadium with more than 30,000 seats, is also one of Andalusia's recognisable football destinations. For supporters planning a trip to Málaga, this is an opportunity to watch top-flight football in a city on Spain's southern coast. It is worth securing tickets in good time and arranging your journey to the stadium in advance.

League standings and the importance of points for both teams

After ten league rounds, Málaga were bottom of the table in 20th place with just five points. Juanfran Funes's team had recorded five draws and five defeats, scoring seven goals and conceding 19. Of particular concern is the fact that Málaga have yet to win a league match since returning to the top flight. They have played five matches in front of their own supporters and collected three points, with three draws and two defeats.

Racing de Santander were in 13th place with 11 points, earned through three wins, two draws and five defeats. They had scored 15 goals and conceded as many as 26. Those figures reveal a team with attacking potential but also serious defensive difficulties, particularly away from home.

The most striking statistic concerns Racing's performances away from Santander's El Sardinero stadium. They lost all five of their opening away matches, scoring four goals and conceding 18. By contrast, they remained unbeaten at home, with three wins and two draws. Racing earned all 11 of their points in front of their own supporters.

That is the central sporting storyline of the meeting at La Rosaleda. Málaga want their first victory, while Racing want their first away points. The positions quoted reflect the standings after ten rounds, before the upcoming matchday 11 fixtures, so both clubs' positions could still change before they face each other.

Málaga CF: Adrián Niño leads the attack, but the defence must become stronger

Málaga showed signs of improvement in attack during October but failed to turn their good spells into league victories. They drew 1-1 with Espanyol on 9 October, with Adrián Niño equalising in stoppage time. Nine days later, they suffered a heavy 2-5 home defeat to Real Sociedad, although Niño and Pablo Martínez scored for the hosts.

On matchday ten, Málaga visited Deportivo Alavés and again drew 1-1. Niño put the team ahead following a pass from Dani Lorenzo, but Aitor Mañas equalised for the hosts towards the end of the match. Málaga therefore remained without a victory even after a game in which they had led until the closing minutes.

Adrián Niño has established himself as the hosts' most important forward. He has scored four of Málaga's seven league goals, including goals in three consecutive league appearances. His movement behind the last line of defence and his ability to capitalise on forward passes could be particularly important against Racing, whose defence allows plenty of chances away from home.

David Larrubia remains the player expected to link midfield and attack, while Chupe provides an additional presence in the opposition penalty area. At the same time, Funes will have to find a better balance between attacking ambition and defensive security.

Málaga beat Sporting de Alcázar 3-0 in the cup on 27 October and progressed to the next round of the competition. That result provided a positive moment after a demanding start to the league campaign, but the challenge against Racing will be different. The hosts need a performance in which they can create chances without leaving space for quick opposition attacks.

Racing de Santander: Yassir Zabiri poses the biggest threat to the home defence

Racing claimed an important 2-1 home victory over Espanyol as October approached its final stages. The visitors took the lead through Edu Expósito, but Jeanuël Belocian equalised before Yassir Zabiri scored late on to complete the comeback. The victory followed a 0-2 defeat away to CA Osasuna and a 2-2 home draw with Valencia.

Zabiri is one of the biggest revelations of Racing's season. The Moroccan forward scored eight goals in his first ten league appearances, including three in the 3-2 victory over Elche. Against Espanyol, he again showed how dangerous he can be when given space in the penalty area and an opportunity to finish.

Racing do not, however, depend exclusively on one player. Sergio Canales provides creativity, experience and quality from set pieces, Iñigo Vicente can create chances from the flank and between the lines, and Andrés Martín offers additional pace and the ability to drive forward. In the most recent home match, coach José Alberto López used Andrés on the right side of the attack.

Their play without the ball remains a problem. Racing lost 0-5 away to Celta in September and conceded seven goals in a 2-7 away defeat against FC Barcelona. Results like those show how difficult the team sometimes finds it to respond when opponents move the ball quickly through the middle or exploit the space behind their wide players.

In Málaga, the visitors will try to combine attacking efficiency with a stronger defence. If Zabiri receives quality passes from Canales and Vicente, he can pose a serious threat to the hosts. But if Racing again allow too much space between midfield and defence, Málaga will have an opportunity to attack their most obvious weakness.

Coaches, tactical expectations and possible absences

Juanfran Funes has changed his team's formation during the autumn according to the characteristics of the opposition. Málaga played in a 4-1-4-1 system against Espanyol, while they used a 4-4-2 against Real Sociedad. For the match against Racing, the speed with which they move the ball to their forwards and the midfielders' ability to close down space after losing possession will be particularly important.

José Alberto López, who previously managed Málaga, knows La Rosaleda well. Racing aim to play aggressively, pressing the opposition defence and moving quickly towards goal. That approach can create space for Zabiri and the other attackers, but it carries a risk when opponents manage to get beyond the first line of pressure.

Set pieces could also play an important role. Racing have players capable of delivering quality corners and free kicks, while Málaga must improve their concentration in defensive situations. At the other end, Niño will try to exploit moments when the visitors leave too much space behind their last defensive line.

The final line-ups are not yet known. In their training report on 28 October, Málaga stated that Pablo Martínez, Joaquín, Cruz, Aaron Ochoa and Julen Lobete had not trained with the main group because of their physical condition. That does not mean they will all miss the meeting with Racing, as their availability could change before the match.

In the meantime, Málaga visit Real Betis on 31 October, while Racing host Real Madrid on 1 November. The results of those matches, any suspensions and the players' fitness will further influence preparations for their meeting.

Head-to-head meetings: Racing more successful in Santander, Málaga more solid at home

Málaga and Racing know each other well from previous seasons in Spain's second tier. Their most recent meeting took place on 24 May 2026 at La Rosaleda and ended 1-1. David Larrubia gave the hosts an early lead, while Andrés Martín equalised for Racing. There were 29,463 spectators in the stands that day.

Results of the last four head-to-head meetings:

• 24.05.2026. - Málaga CF 1-1 Racing de Santander, La Rosaleda.
• 05.10.2025. - Racing de Santander 3-0 Málaga CF, El Sardinero.
• 01.02.2025. - Racing de Santander 2-1 Málaga CF, El Sardinero.
• 23.11.2024. - Málaga CF 0-0 Racing de Santander, La Rosaleda.

Racing recorded two victories in those meetings, while the other two ended in draws. It is particularly interesting that Málaga neither lost nor won their last two home meetings with Racing. In their new top-flight circumstances, the hosts will try to change that pattern, while Racing will seek to reproduce their successes in Santander away from home.

Estadio La Rosaleda: football history and stands close to the pitch

Estadio La Rosaleda is located on Paseo de Martiricos, in an urban part of Málaga north of the historic city centre. The stadium opened in 1941 and has hosted numerous domestic and international football matches throughout its history. It has a natural grass pitch and a capacity of more than 30,000 spectators.

The stadium has been modernised over the years, including a major renovation between 2000 and 2006. Some entrances bear the names of important figures from the club's history, including Migueli, Viberti, Benítez and Abdullah Ben Barek. This connects the stadium's history with generations of players who left their mark on football in Málaga.

Public interest is evident in recent attendances. The October match against Real Sociedad attracted 27,935 spectators, while the previous home meeting with Racing in May drew almost 29,500. Those figures show that matches against opponents outside the very top of the table can also be played in front of large crowds.

For the match against Racing, the home stands are expected to react particularly strongly to every opportunity to end the winless league run. The visitors arrive with the clear aim of earning their first away points, giving the encounter an additional competitive edge. Supporters who want to watch this match live should plan their tickets in advance.

How to get to La Rosaleda stadium and where to park

La Rosaleda is an urban stadium, so it is advisable to plan transport in advance and allow enough time to enter before the match. The 14:00 kick-off means spectators will be arriving during the morning and early afternoon. Traffic on the approach roads may be slow as the crowd gathers.

• Stadium address - Estadio La Rosaleda, Paseo de Martiricos s/n, 29011 Málaga, Spain.
• City buses - route 15 has a stop on La Palmilla avenue beside the stadium, while route 17 stops on Luis Buñuel avenue near Centro Comercial Rosaleda.
• Arriving from the airport - the C-1 train connects Málaga-Costa del Sol with Málaga María Zambrano and Málaga Centro-Alameda stations. From those stations, you need to continue by public transport or taxi.
• Parking - Centro Comercial Rosaleda has its own car park, but availability and matchday parking conditions should be checked before using it. Parking spaces in the surrounding streets may be limited.
• Gate opening - the exact gate-opening time for this match has not been confirmed in the available information. It is advisable to follow the organisers' announcements and arrive early for ticket checks and security screening.

Supporters should check the section and entrance number shown on their ticket. Visitors with special needs should check the layout of accessible seating and the appropriate entrances in advance. Traffic may move more slowly after the match as large numbers of spectators leave at the same time.

Málaga as a destination for a football weekend

Málaga is a city on Spain's southern coast, known for its historic centre, port and Mediterranean coastline. A visit to a match at La Rosaleda can be combined with exploring the Alcazaba, the Castillo de Gibralfaro fortress, the area around the cathedral and the city's promenades. With the match starting in the early afternoon, there is also time for sightseeing afterwards.

For visitors arriving by air, the C-1 railway line is a practical option, connecting the airport with central Málaga. Passengers arriving by train from other Spanish cities can use Málaga María Zambrano station, from where the journey to the stadium continues by local transport.

Racing supporters travel to Málaga hoping their team will finally reproduce their good home performances away from home. For Málaga supporters, the sporting objective is even more immediate - to witness their first league victory since returning to the top flight. Anyone planning a trip for the match should coordinate transport, accommodation and tickets, and check for any changes to the kick-off time before departure.

Sources:
- RFEF - matchday 12 schedule, match date and venue: https://rfef.es/es/resultados?competition=33836084&group=33836085&journey=12
- LALIGA - league standings and the teams' home and away records: https://iaas-public-front-pro.laliga.com/laliga-easports/clasificacion
- LALIGA - Adrián Niño's individual statistics: https://www.laliga.com/es-US/jugador/adrian-nino
- LALIGA - Yassir Zabiri's individual statistics: https://www.laliga.com/jugador/yassir-zabiri
- Málaga CF - cup victory and the players' fitness in training: https://www.malagacf.com/noticias/regreso-a-malaga-y-labor-en-la-ciudad-deportiva
- Málaga CF - match report against Real Sociedad: https://www.malagacf.com/noticias/el-malaga-cae-contra-la-real-sociedad-2-5
- Racing de Santander - victory over Espanyol and home results: https://www.realracingclub.es/noticias/gran-reaccion-para-seguir-invicto-en-los-campos-de-sport-2-1
- Cadena SER - result and analysis of the Alavés - Málaga match: https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2026/10/23/alaves-1-1-malaga-resumen-resultado-y-goles-del-partido-de-la-jornada-10-de-laliga-ea-sports-cadena-ser/
- LALIGA - Málaga - Racing from May 2026: https://www.laliga.com/partido/temporada-2025-2026-laliga-hypermotion-malaga-cf-r-racing-club-41
- LALIGA - Racing - Málaga from October 2025: https://www.laliga.com/partido/temporada-2025-2026-laliga-hypermotion-r-racing-club-malaga-cf-8
- LALIGA - head-to-head meetings from the 2024/25 season: https://www.laliga.com/partido/temporada-2024-2025-laliga-hypermotion-r-racing-club-malaga-cf-25
- LALIGA - Málaga - Racing from November 2024: https://www.laliga.com/partido/temporada-2024-2025-laliga-hypermotion-malaga-cf-r-racing-club-16
- Málaga CF - stadium history, features and location: https://www.malagacf.com/estadio-la-rosaleda
- Centro Comercial Rosaleda - bus routes, access and parking: https://www.centrocomercialrosaleda.es/bienvenido-a-rosaleda/como-llegar/
- Aena - rail connection between the airport and the city: https://www.aena.es/es/malaga-costa-del-sol/como-llegar/tren.html