Demichelis’ future undecided

Martin Demichelis says he will only make a decision on his future at Malaga at the end of the season, when his contract expires.

The Argentine centre-back has been an influential member of the team since his January 2011 arrival, but uncertainty surrounds whether he will be staying at the club beyond this summer.

“I will not make a final decision on my renewal until the end of the season. That moment will come by itself, I will be cautious,” the 31-year-old told reporters this week.

“I always say that in this profession we must be thankful and respectful. I’ll decide when the League finishes, according to the achievements and how I feel physically and mentally.

“If I have to stay, I will be happy, because I feel happy, supported, in a group of which I am proud, with a love that supports me.

“If I go, I will go with my head held high. I have accomplished the goals that I always set myself – the first year was survival and the second was qualification for the Champions League.”

The defender was taking the club’s first Press conference of the year and was asked where the players are hoping that 2013 takes them.

“We begin the year full of hope, eager to repeat 2012, with humility and hard work, but knowing that we are able to follow this path of success.

“The 31 points [Malaga have in the League already] is a target that we set ourselves, because with 60 points we could finish in the Champions League places. Regardless, we know that if we are focused when we play, as we were against Real Madrid when we were good, we can beat anybody. That’s what has to be repeated.

“After beating Real Madrid, we have the utmost confidence and our ambition is intact. The fans also have a lot of confidence in us. It will not be easy to repeat 2012’s figures again, but we will try to surpass them. We can.”

The team could finish in the top four and still not make it into the Champions League, with UEFA’s initial ruling to ban the club from their next European competition for financial mismanagement.

“It came as a surprise. During the year there were problems at an institutional level. From inside the club we saw they were responding. We are hurt.

“We are very confident that, by appeal, we will be reciprocated, but it is not for me to talk about this. We must stay focused, that is the best that we can do as players.

“In principle, we will wait until the final judgement and the appeal of the club. We cannot expect anything, because we have to always go out there to win games. This group is accustomed to winning. It hurts when we win or lose. That is good for a Coach and a group that wants to succeed. It is a sign of a winning team.

“Athletes are optimistic before things happen. We will analyse the situation when it comes. I have faith and optimism that it will be solved. Let’s try to go as far as we can in the League, the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.”

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