Martin Praises ‘Hunger & Fight’ In Málaga Performance

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Martin Praises ‘Hunger & Fight’ In Málaga Performance

Russell Martin enjoyed much of what he saw during our 3-3 draw with Málaga CF on Saturday evening, ending our Spain camp on a high note.

2026-07-26T08:30+01:00

by Sam Stevens

Published

26 Jul, 2026

Martin Praises ‘Hunger & Fight’ In Málaga Performance

Russell Martin enjoyed much of what he saw during our 3-3 draw with Málaga CF on Saturday evening, ending our Spain camp on a high note.

Sam Stevens

2026-07-26T08:30+01:00

Martin Praises ‘Hunger & Fight’ In Málaga Performance

Russell Martin enjoyed much of what he saw during our 3-3 draw with Málaga CF on Saturday evening, ending our Spain camp on a high note.

Sam Stevens

2026-07-26T08:30+01:00

Martin Praises ‘Hunger & Fight’ In Málaga Performance

Russell Martin enjoyed much of what he saw during our 3-3 draw with Málaga CF on Saturday evening, ending our Spain camp on a high note.

Sam Stevens

2026-07-26T08:30+01:00

Martin Praises ‘Hunger & Fight’ In Málaga Performance

Russell Martin enjoyed much of what he saw during our 3-3 draw with Málaga CF on Saturday evening, ending our Spain camp on a high note.

Sam Stevens

2026-07-26T08:30+01:00

We drew 3-3 with Málaga CF on Saturday evening, to conclude our time in Spain
Leicester City remain unbeaten in pre-season, with four wins before this result
Louis Page, Woyo Coulibaly and Tommy Neale scored for the Foxes
Martin was pleased with the performance against the La Liga outfit

Louis Page, Woyo Coulibaly and Tommy Neale found the net for Leicester City in Marbella, as we both led and trailed during an entertaining pre-season contest with the La Liga outfit.

It was an added-time goal which denied us victory and Martin admitted he was frustrated not to secure a fifth successive win of the summer in those circumstances, but the manner of the performance nevertheless pleased him.

“I know it’s only pre-season but I’m still annoyed we conceded so late,” the Manager said. “I really enjoyed it [against] a really good opposition. They’re good. They’re playing in the top league in Spain for a reason.

“They have some good players. I thought we started the game really well. For 10 minutes, we lost a little bit of control, but looked really solid.

“I think they only had one shot on goal in the first half that went over the bar from outside the box. After the drinks break in the first half, I thought we were great. We played some really good stuff.

“We should have scored a couple of goals. I think Stephy [Mavididi] was onside for his. Will Alves missed a really brilliant chance. We played some really great football, but also we hunted the ball a lot, and regained it a lot.

“We had some great opportunities off the back of that. In the second half, we had the same team on pretty much, apart from Alex [McCarthy], and they bring on 10 or 11 fresh players and it showed, I think for 15-20 minutes.

“Then we brought on some fresh legs and the guys who came on did brilliantly. I actually think, for the last 25 minutes of the game, we were great and we created so much.

“In fact, I think the lads sensed the opportunity to score another goal and wanted to – which is fine in pre-season – obviously if it’s a league or cup game we’d hopefully manage it a bit better.

“It’s a good learning. I thought we finished the game so strong and created so much. I’m disappointed with the goals we conceded but it’s a great chance to learn and, all in all, I think it’s been a really good week for us and a really good way to finish it.

“The fans that have come here, lots of them… brilliant. I’m really grateful for that, so thank you to them. It made it a good occasion for us and it was good game.”

Martin was particularly pleased with the mentality of the squad, always chasing the ball, always looking for an opportunity to regain possession and get up the pitch. He also pointed to the youth within the squad and the impact they’re having.

“The tempo certainly went up after we went behind,” he added. “Also, I think we had 15 Academy graduates in the squad. A lot of them were on the pitch before the end.

“It’s amazing learning for them. The lads fought, they ran, they showed a lot of resilience, a lot of hunger to hunt the ball and fight for each other.

“I enjoyed that part tonight, probably as much as some of the really good football that we played. It’s been a really good outing for us.

“We had so many chances on the regain tonight. We have done throughout pre-season to be honest. We’ve made that such an important part of the behaviours that we want – to hunt the ball relentlessly, to run and recover for each other.

“We got rewarded for it tonight and we probably should have had a couple more from the press. I’ve been really pleased with the young guys and they’ve really stepped up when they’ve had to.

“We have to continue that and some of them will definitely last the distance and stay with us. Maybe some will go back with the Under-21s, maybe some will go out on the loan, but whatever happens, they will play their part in our success even if they’re only with us for six or seven weeks in pre-season.

“With what they’ve done, a lot of them, I’m sure some of them will play a big part for us all season.”

Reflecting on the week in Spain as a whole – a week of building bonds as well as fine-tuning tactical approaches – Martin continued: “I’m delighted. We’re injury free. We’ve had two tough games with some really positive stuff played.

“The training’s been fantastic. They’ve spent a lot of time together. Last night, watching the group and the staff as well, seeing them not going to their beds early, not on their phones, but actually interacting with each other and enjoying each other’s company has been great.

“I think, from what I’ve been told, it’s been difficult on that front in the last however long. For them to keep bonding and growing as a group and build some spirit is going to be really important. It’s been a great week.

“We have a big week of training next week, with some games next weekend, that we’re really looking forward to now. Tonight’s given us so much opportunity to learn and improve again – so we have to keep doing that.”

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