Today’s training was held at La Rosaleda, with the absence of the international players, as well as coach Manuel Pellegrini, with the Club’s permission. Baptista, Toulalan, Sergio Sánchez and Santa Cruz continue with their recovery from injury, undergoing rehabilitation work in the Ciudad de Málaga Athletics Stadium. Reserve players, Jurado, Álex Portillo, Paco Aguza and Sielva were in training today, as well as goalkeepers, Pol and Toni Casamayor, who worked alongside goalkeeping coach Xabi Mancisidor, and Willy Caballero. The session consisted of continuous running, stretching, ball exercises and a practice match.
The team is back to work on Monday at 5 p.m. in the Ciudad de Málaga Athletics Stadium.
Statements by Willy
“I’m pleased with what we’ve achieved so far this season. Now we’ve got some time off to relax a bit, with certain players on international duty, as we’ve got a lot of matches ahead of us in the next two months. It gives us time to ensure we’re ready, gives all the players a chance on the pitch, and to keep performing as well as we have been up to now.”
“It’s wonderful to have reached the 50-match mark, and I hope there are a lot more to come! I can still remember my first match with Málaga, and I’ve grown a lot as a player with this team.”
“We started off both in the League and in the Champions League play-offs, at a very high level, with an opportunity to really show what we can do as a team on the pitch. During the first few matches, we gained the points to allow us to stay near the top of the table, and the excitement of playing in the Champions League has given us a new challenge. We’re so focused on staying at the top of the table and achieving as much as we can in every match.”
“We’ve only just begun really, so I think it’s a bit early to think about definitive League positions. We can’t let ourselves get overwhelmed by the number of matches. We’re just focused on Valladolid right now, nothing else.”
“The coach is the one who makes the decisions, and we respect everything he does. I’m just concentrating on working hard and doing the best I can for the team. If I get selected to play for my country, then it’s an extra bonus and a reward for all the hard work, but I don’t get frustrated or disappointed if it doesn’t happen. Those that have been chosen play very well in their national teams.”
“Málaga is a team that always tried to maintain possession, shows excellent defending skills, and creates problems for the rival. We always try to perform as well as we can on the pitch, and both defend and attack with a good block of players.”