Youth graduates drag Málaga from relegation zone to playoffs

Málaga's promotion push has been fuelled by players who were right under the club's nose. Academy graduates Pablo Hernández and Juanfran Funes stepped up from the reserves when the first team was languishing in the relegation zone, and their impact has been transformative. The duo helped drag the side out of danger and all the way into the playoff places, with Málaga now sitting fourth heading into the final matchday. With one game left and a playoff spot still not locked in, the contributions from the club's own youth system have been the difference between a season of struggle and one with genuine hope of a return to LaLiga. (1)