For English third-tier Leicester City Football Club to travel to South Spain and almost beat a La Liga club whilst under new management is quite the underdog achievement. That's right, Los Boquerones are a Primera outfit once again.
Indeed, the Spanish National Team also just won the World Cup, therefore a 3-3 draw, with Malaga scoring at the death, is extremely notable. Russell Martin has done very well since joining the Foxes, and not just in a match outcome sense, although obviously uncompetitive.
Four wins from five friendlies at an organisation in turmoil, or at least significant transition, is actually remarkable. All this has occurred while the East Midlanders shed their deadwood and arrange profitable transfers for their standout players.
So, regarding the former Scotland international's infant tenure at King Power Stadium and beyond - he's definitely doing a good job. What Leicester's Blue Army fan base now want, no, demand, is for requisite and suitable signings to finally arrive on Filbert Way.
Leicester City squad vs Malaga
If Martin is not fully backed by the potentially departing ownership - he has no chance of success! But this is an assessment of how the King Power ballers got on against Malaga.
The following were cited as having 'good games': Alex McCarthy, but more with 'quarterbacking' the ball-playing defence. Midfielders Louis Page and Sammy Braybrooke were noted once more.
"Leicester City Man of the Match:Filbert Way
Sammy Braybrooke"
Tommy Neale and Will Alves got the nod. Jakub Stolarczyk made some fine saves; the underrated Woyo Coulibaly scored a fine goal.
Ben Nelson is somebody who shined as the uncompetitive match developed. Stephy Mavididi is looking dangerous once more; Bade Aluko was named as performing acceptably.
"Ben NelsonLeicester Mercury
Played the ball out of play early on but was strong in his duels. A tough test for him but he was superb throughout."
New signing Conor Chaplin is catching the eye; Hamza Choudhury appears to have turned a corner. Lorenz Hutchinson seems to be a real player too.
Meanwhile Oliver Skipp, Caleb Okoli, Jayden Joseph, Luke Thomas and Kirsten Otchere can do better. Skipp must tighten his consistency: his influence faded sharply after half-time as the opposition took control.
Joseph and Luke Thomas both struggled defensively in the second period: Joseph was exposed by balls over the top, while Thomas found Malaga's physical press too much to handle. Although, both are certainly trying to acclimatise.
Okoli showed promise and improvements, but needs greater resilience; suffered an injury too. Otchere had a quiet outing, giving away dangerous possession and must offer more attacking involvement. Though he still held his own physically and has been prolific.
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