Málaga CF is facing one of the most important moments in recent years, and the city of Málaga is experiencing the build-up to the promotion playoff final with great intensity. The Congregation of the Divine Shepherdess of Souls has joined the pre-final atmosphere by extraordinarily opening the shrine of its Virgen, the Patron Saint of Sport, allowing fans to visit and entrust the team to her care before the first leg match, which will be played at La Rosaleda on Sunday, June 15th.
The visit will be available this Saturday, June 13th, from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM, at the Parish of the Divine Shepherdess, located in the Capuchinos neighborhood, in Málaga city.
The opening of the shrine carries a symbolic meaning that goes beyond a one-time gesture. At the beginning of each season, the Málaga CF squad visits the parish to commend themselves to the Divine Shepherdess. During their visit on August 10th, the team captains placed a blue and white jersey at the feet of the Virgen, which has remained under her mantle since then as a sign of trust. For the playoff final, this jersey will be moved and placed again at the feet of the image during the days leading up to the match.
The Congregation also invites fans to come with their own Málaga jerseys and scarves, which can be passed over the mantle of the Patron Saint of Sport.
Beyond the religious act, Saturday's event will have a strong festive and popular character. Capuchinos square will host a celebration from 1:00 PM to 12:00 AM, conceived as the closing of the Mayo Pastoreño festive cycle and, at the same time, as a grand Málaga pre-match event for Sunday's game.
The event will be open to all residents of the neighborhood and the entire city. The program includes a paella lunch for one euro, drinks for four euros until 6:00 PM during what organizers call a "happy afternoon," and live musical performances starting from that time.
The coincidence between the closing of Mayo Pastoreño and the dispute of a playoff final for promotion to the Second Division makes this day unprecedented for the Capuchinos neighborhood. Faith, football, and community come together in a proposal that aims to become a reference point for Málaga's pre-match atmosphere before La Rosaleda hosts a game that the club and the city have been anticipating for months.
The playoff final for promotion to the Second Division will pit Málaga CF against an opponent yet to be confirmed. The first leg match will be played at La Rosaleda on Sunday, June 15th.
