Malaga CF is a club full of paradoxes, and its supporters have created another. Despite suffering another painful relegation last season, undaunted fans head to the stadium in greater numbers on weekends than supporters of Girona, Osasuna or Rayo Vallecano.

Another relegation does not discourage fans

In its history, Malaga CF has played 33 seasons at the top level, but as of the 2017/18 season, playing in LaLiga remains just a dream. A dream that only got further away with relegation last season. The club, which plays in the Primera RFEF, has a mass of problems, but it is the fans that keep it alive and still hoping for a return to the elite.

A total of 191,502 fans turned out at Estadio La Rosaleda for the nine games played in the first round, an average of 21,278 spectators per game. In this way, Malaga’s fans not only topped the third division, but came out on top of all Spanish games. However, many believe that these figures are underestimated, as empty seats are often not seen at the ground and the club is only expected to count entries until the first whistle.

Here is a comparison of the 10 most filled venues in Spain:

More fans than at Primera matches?

Malaga's average is impressive, as they are the only team outside the Primera Division in the top 10, but it doesn't stop there. On January 21, 22,949 fans came to Estadio La Rosaleda for the match against CD Castellon, giving the club the 4th highest attendance in the country for that fixture! Only the matches Real Madrid - Almeria (3-2, 72,044 spectators), Betis-Barcelona (2-4, 53,288 spectators) and Valencia - Athletic (1-0, 45,344 spectators) attracted more interest.

This is not the only case, as the attendance was already the 5th highest in the 2nd round. Among the best results are the matches against Melilla (24,292 spectators), Cordoba (24,838 spectators) and Castilla (25,561 spectators). The figures would be even higher if it were not for the fact that a large number of socios do not go to their team's matches and tickets cannot be sold to their seats.

© Arkadiusz Lewandowski

Fans create a fortress at La Rosaleda

The club, which is currently 4th in the second group of Primera RFEF, knows how important the support of the fans is. Summing up the attendance in the first round at home, he expresses his gratitude towards the fans: "Thank you so much for your support and love, Malaguistas! Your home is waiting for you!".

In the first round of matches, Malaga CF won five home games, drew three and lost one. The contribution of the 12th player has been invaluable in creating a fortress in Malaga, and the media have written more than once about the great attitude of the blue and white supporters. Maintaining a good performance at home will be crucial to fight for a return to the Segunda, as Malaga must at least maintain fourth place to play in the promotion barracks.

© Arkadiusz Lewandowski

Attendance records not only in the league

Meanwhile, in addition to league and King's Cup matches, national team matches are also being played at La Rosaleda. Interestingly, the Spanish men's national team won all the official matches played in Malaga.

Also, the women's national team enjoyed a double joy at La Rosaleda, as on December 5, in a 5:3 win against Sweden, it was in this stadium that they achieved another attendance record for an official match. The encounter was watched from the stands by 15,896 fans, beating the result achieved at Estadio Nuevo Arcángel 3 months earlier in a match against Switzerland by more than 1,500 spectators. That match had attracted 14,194 people.

These impressive results and subsequent records show that the Malagan community is one of the most footballing in the country, and does not abandon its team even when it is relegated from the first to the third division in a few years. Well, all one can do is envy such an attitude and wish the football fans of Andalusia many football feasts and more records!

© Arkadiusz Lewandowski