Malaga boss Javi Gracia has thanked striker Nordin Amrabat for the apology he issued following his substitution in the 2-1 win over Granada.
The Moroccan international was hauled off in the second half of Los Blanquiazules’ 2-1 victory to be replaced by youngster Samu Castillejo, after which he threw his sweatshirt to the floor when sat on the bench.
The 27-year-old, who returned to Malaga from Galatasaray for a second loan spell this summer, said this week his gesture had been “unprofessional”, which seems to have been accepted by Gracia.
“I’m delighted with his words because it makes us stronger as a team,” he told a Press conference.
“We need to be more transparent in our behaviour and this will make us grow. My position is to pull the team together so we are all as one, and I’m glad he said that.
“From now on we must look forward and be more united.”
Malaga face Cordoba in a north-south Andalusian derby at the Nuevo Arcangel on Saturday night, and Gracia is aware it will be a tough test against a side still looking for their first win of the campaign.
“Cordoba have met three teams from near the top of the table, which they have lost, but in the other four matches they have taken a point.
“Their games have been fairly even and they need a win over us, so they will have even more ambition.
“Aside from Cordoba’s needs, which we respect, we’ll go there with our own ambitions and with the idea of improving,” he asserted.
