“Our focus is just on the match against Real Valladolid, ensuring we return to winning ways in the BBVA League to gain as many points as possible and maintain our place in the table.  After Saturday we can concentrate on Porto,” affirms the Portuguese-born player kicking off today’s press conference.
 
Regarding the Blue and Whites’ next rival, Vitorino stresses their strength when playing at their home ground. “Valladolid are a difficult team to beat, and we need to return to winning form in away matches.  Coming home with a victory from this match would give us a real boost for the rest of the season.  Valladolid are a strong, balanced team with quality players like Manucho who can make a real difference.  It’ll be a tough game.”
 
On finding out he’s made Paulo Bento’s pre-line-up for Portugal’s 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Israel and Azerbaijan, Antunes is extremely pleased.  “It’s very important for me to be included in Paulo Bento’s initial team line-up.  The definitive team will be announced in just over a week, but for now I’m focused on Málaga, and if I get called up to play for my country then I’ll be over the moon.”
 
Antunes also talks about how quickly he adapted to the team.  “Things are going well at the moment and I really feel part of the team.  My teammates and everyone here helped me adapt as quickly as possible, so I could take part in the League and Champions League.  The guys on the team, the coach and all the fans have really supported me, and the fact that I’m in good physical condition all helped me to fit in and feel part of the team quickly.”