Gracia unhappy with goal-shy Malaga

Malaga boss Javi Gracia admits he is concerned at the way his team have been performing of late.

The Costa del Sol outfit have scored just three goals in six La Liga games so far, none of them from open play, and Gracia did not hide the shortcomings his players have displayed so early in the season.

“We have lowered our level and are creating fewer chances. That, together with a lack of efficiency we’ve shown, has caused us to lose games.

“The players know when they have done good things and when they have done wrong. We were aware that we needed to bring the points back from Getafe at the weekend and it hurt because it was a real opportunity,” admitted Gracia in an interview with 101 TV’s Area Malaguista programme.

Nonetheless, the former Osasuna boss refused to place the blame entirely on his strikers.

“I’m very happy with the work they are doing and they are going to get a lot of goals. I’m convinced that the goalscoring figures are going to improve,” he said, before addressing the disciplinary problem that has seen Malaga have four players shown red cards already this term.

“For me Weligton’s second yellow card at Getafe was not even a booking. He used his anticipation and body very well, but he is being looked at by of a lot of people, including referees, and should be more careful.

“Sometimes I see tackles from other defenders that are much harder than those we make and the referees are being too hard on our players, particularly Weligton, but we should hope the officials do their job well.”

In addition, the 44-year-old was asked about the continued absence of newly-signed Mexican international goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in favour of Carlos Kameni.

“He’s an exceptional person but as professionals we can only play one ‘keeper and it’s me who has to decide.

“I see them both on a daily basis, how they perform, and then I have to make the best choice. It makes me sad to leave a goalkeeper on the bench just as much as it makes me sad to leave a youngster out of the squad.

“I try to be fair to everyone, although I’m aware that sometimes I could be wrong,” he conceded.

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