When looking for a club that perfectly exemplifies the unpredictable and capricious nature of football, Marbella FC would probably be one of the most iconic examples. It is a large, prosperous city with strong economic power – the seventh most populous city in Andalusia, surpassing several provincial capitals – a club with a long and rich history…yet it has faced the uphill battle to escape the Third Division.
Marbella fell into this abyss during the league established after the pandemic, with the creation of the Primera RFEF on the horizon. A short regular season started badly and could not be turned around, followed by an irregular intermediate phase. Instead of achieving promotion – which was the goal – or maintaining their position in Spain’s third division, the team ended up slipping two divisions by dropping to Tercera RFEF.
It was a struggle to recover, but their rise was meteoric. Two consecutive promotions have brought them back, and they now compete in the bronze category. In Primera RFEF Group 2, they find themselves in the middle of the table, positioned as close to the playoff places as they are to the relegation zone. José Manuel Carrasco, the team captain, has witnessed this growth first-hand: “Since my arrival, I have felt a great ambition within the club. The owners are people from the football world, and the “The aim is to look upwards and take the club and Marbella as high as possible,” he explains.
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Tonight, Marbella will experience the beautiful side of football. They face Atlético Madrid in a magical match, which will be held at the famous La Rosaleda stadium. “I come from Fuengirola and I was a season ticket holder for Málaga in my childhood, until I played elsewhere. I saw players like De los Santos, Agostinho, Rufete… and now I’m going to play there myself- “For any footballer, when you dream of being a player from a young age, these are the matches you live for,” shares Carrasco, making it clear that he is looking forward to this duel.
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Additionally, the province of Málaga has responded to Marbella’s call, with expectations of a fantastic turnout at the Malagueño Coliseum, with more than 25,000 tickets having already been sold. A campaign offering discounts to Málaga season ticket holders wishing to support their neighboring team contributed to this increase in attendance. Carrasco and his teammates feel the support of the province: “I have friends in Coín, Monda, Alhaurín… they all have tickets, and they don’t usually come to Marbella to see us. But this shows that all the province is behind us, and it’s a wonderful feeling. Obviously Atlético attracts a lot of attention, but there is a special atmosphere, and I see that people are very involved in the match and eager to encourage us. ”
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To get this far, the Costa del Sol team has already eliminated a superior opponent in Burgos. Now the key is to keep that excitement in check and not let emotions take over, a responsibility that weighs heavily on Carrasco as a captain and veteran player. However, the possibility of creating a surprise is within reach: “We see this as a challenge and an opportunity. First of all, to demonstrate that we are good footballers and a solid team. I love that the squad approaches this as a match with options for victory Often the ‘big team’ relaxes because they think they have the situation under control Knowing Atlético, ‘Cholo’, and the importance they place on it. the Cup, I don’t think so that it will be the case But in the end, the balance is restored according to our approach to the match,” declared the central defender.
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The conclusion is clear. Marbella faces a historic day. “This could be one of the best nights in the club’s history. And we will fight to make it happen,” warns the captain. An entire province is impatiently waiting for the match to begin.
