Juan Francisco Funes says Málaga CF's meeting with RC Deportivo de A Coruña is "muy especial", and it is easy to see why. On Sunday at 21.30 hours, the two historic clubs face each other in Primera for the first time since April 2018, with both sides back in LaLiga EA Sports after time in Primera RFEF.
For Málaga, it is also a chance to reset at La Rosaleda after a difficult start to the season. They lost 2-0 to Atlético de Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday, and they have now lost nine of their last 13 home matches. Deportivo, by contrast, arrive with an early point already on the board after drawing 1-1 with Elche at ABANCA Riazor.
Funes: a special night, but a difficult one
Funes was clear that the occasion means a great deal to the club and its supporters. He described it as "la parte más importante" that the fan base can "pueda vivir un partido en La Rosaleda de Primera y ante un equipo" like Deportivo, adding that the atmosphere will be special for everyone involved.
He also pointed to the shared recent history of the two sides, saying they have had "casi vidas paralelas" and that last season produced "encuentros vibrantes". That is an apt way to frame this fixture: it is not just a meeting of old rivals, but of two clubs trying to re-establish themselves at the level they believe they belong.
Why Deportivo pose a real test
This is not a straightforward home assignment for Málaga. Funes described Deportivo as a team built on defensive solidity, saying they are not easy to score against because they have kept their strong points intact. He also stressed that the challenge will demand "paciencia y perseverancia" rather than early frustration.
The numbers back up that warning. Deportivo were the best away team in Segunda last season, finishing with 11 wins, six draws and four losses. That kind of record suggests a side that is comfortable carrying a threat on the road, even in a stadium with the expectation that comes with La Rosaleda.
And Deportivo's opening league game showed both their danger and their resilience. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored in the 21st minute against Elche, before Marc Aguado equalised late on to secure a 1-1 draw. That is another reminder that this team can strike first, stay organised, and still find a result even when the game becomes stretched.
The first chapter of a long season
For Málaga, the bigger picture matters as much as the match itself. Funes was keen to stress that this is only the beginning, calling it "una carrera de fondo, de 38 jornadas". That is the right message for a side returning to the top division, even if the emotion of the occasion is impossible to ignore.
He also underlined the mood around the club, saying there is "muchísima ilusión" and "mucho entusiasmo" because playing at La Rosaleda is special and the opening home night will feel like a dream for many inside the club. The task now is to turn that emotion into a performance that matches the occasion.
After a loss at Atlético and an opening draw for Deportivo, both teams arrive with something to prove. Sunday's first Primera meeting since April 2018 should tell us a lot about how quickly Málaga can settle back into life at this level, and whether Deportivo's early stability can travel again.
