The 2001-02 campaign was a season of vital change and European achievement for Málaga as the Boquerones finished 10th in La Liga, securing a coveted spot in the UEFA Intertoto Cup. Leading the charge was the Panamanian marksman Julio Dely Valdés, whose 11 goals anchored a side that also featured the feared 'Double D' partnership with Darío Silva. Under manager Joaquín Peiró, the team overcame a turbulent start to deliver a magnificent second half of the season, built on the magic of Sandro and a resilient midfield, in a year that secured the club's first-ever European qualification and remains a defining chapter in their top-flight history.