In the early 2000s Málaga were a club rich in youth and top quality players, also boasting a more modern and developed stadium. Although they never pushed for a Champions League place, Málaga were always successful under the vastly popular Joaquín Peiró.
They shared the sole appearance and only official trophy, the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2002, beating Gent, Willem II and an improving Villarreal CF. Málaga's run in the UEFA Cup was an overachievement, which ended in the quarterfinals to Boavista FC's hands, after beating FK Željezničar Sarajevo, (who'd been eliminated from the Champions League by Newcastle United), Amica Wronki, Leeds United (after a 2-1 win at Elland Road, courtesy of 2 Julio Dely Valdés) and AEK Athens F.C., losing to Boavista on penalties.
After Peiró's retirement, Juande Ramos took over the helm and notably performed a resounding 5-1 home thrashing of FC Barcelona, the major result up to date of Málaga against this club, with a hat trick from loanee, Salva.
Since then, the city of Malaga has not been enjoying too much success in football and they are seeing this year as the best year to gain promotion. With the arrival of teenage sensation Bojan Kirkic from Barcelona on a Loan to Buy basis, Talented Goalkeeper Jacobo Sanz from Getafe and attacking right back Cortes who also comes from Getafe. The board and the manager beleive that with a string of good results and some luck against highly promotion contenders Sporting Lisbon and their City Rivals Benfica, the team can retain its position among the best La Liga. But the bookmakers thing otherwise and they are predicting Malaga to finish some points shy of Promotion due to the powerhouses of Benfica. Sporting Lisbon and The Argentines of Boca Juniors.
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