Sergio Pellicer, during his time as Málaga’s coach, once noted that the final image of a match matters just as much, if not more, than the starting lineup. It’s a way of saying that in a squad, there are no starters or substitutes—everyone must stay sharp and ready when called upon.
BeSoccer has analyzed the impact of players coming off the bench. The findings reveal that Adrián Niño and Asier Villalibre are the top scorers from the substitutes’ bench across Europe’s major second divisions. This includes Serie B (Italy), Ligue 2 (France), the Championship (England), Bundesliga 2 (Germany), and, of course, Spain’s Liga Hypertrophy.
Topping the continental ranking of super subs is Málaga’s forward. Out of his 11 goals this season, five have come after replacing a teammate. The Racing Santander attacker, meanwhile, has scored four from the bench. Following them are Ross Stewart (Southampton), Hacène Benali (Red Star), and Steffen Tigges (Paderborn) with four each, as well as Ivan Prtajin (Kaiserslautern), Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough), Adam Idah (Swansea), Amadou Samoura (Guingamp), and Cyle Larin (Southampton) with three.
**Niño and the Atlético Option**
Adrián Niño is a quick striker who excels at running into space, contributes to build-up play, and has a sharp finish. He offers mobility and attacks open areas rather than being a static target man, and he boasts a solid percentage of aerial duels won. Though he hasn’t often lined up alongside Chupe, the two complement each other well, having occasionally formed what is called “the baby bottle attack.” One of Niño’s goals came from an assist by Chupe.
With Adrián Niño, Málaga could hit the jackpot. Niño was the first player in seven years for whom Málaga paid a transfer fee—the previous ones being Boulahrouz and Renato Santos in 2018. He signed a contract until 2029. Atlético Madrid holds a buyback option each year of his commitment, ranging from €1 million to €4 million, and also has a right of first refusal if Málaga receives an offer. In an interview with AS, the player said he doesn’t think about that. “You can have that perspective, but I don’t dwell on it. We have something beautiful ahead with Málaga, and I don’t want to focus on the future. I came here with the mindset of having a great year, and why not stay longer.”
**The Best Villalibre**
Asier Villalibre has scored 14 goals this season, putting him on track for his best numbers in the second division. The “Buffalo of Gernika,” on loan from Deportivo Alavés, hit a rough patch mid-season with a severe hamstring tear that kept him sidelined for two and a half months. He hasn’t started a match since the first game of 2026. With Guliashvili in good form (six goals), Villalibre has become the number 12 (literally, as it’s his jersey number) and is consistently coming off the bench. He was crucial in the victory against Sporting and led the comeback against Huesca last Sunday.
Beyond his trademark beard and trumpet celebrations, Asier Villalibre is a true buffalo. A left-footed player, he stands out for his explosive acceleration and ability to move inside the box. Racing’s plan with him is clear: if they secure promotion to La Liga, the purchase is mandatory, and according to Racing sources speaking to AS, the fee is around €1 million. Asier came through Athletic Bilbao’s academy and reached the first team, but left his boyhood club in 2024, signing permanently with Alavés, where he is under contract until 2028. He previously had loan spells at Numancia and Valladolid.