Juande Ramos believes Malaga will be in for a tough start to the season when they kick off the 2016-17 La Liga campaign against Osasuna on Friday.
Friday’s match against Osasuna will be Ramos’ first in La Liga since 2009, having spent the intervening years in Russia and Ukraine, and for Malaga since 03-04, and the Coach urged his side not to be fooled by the new boys’ lack of investment this summer.
“[Osasuna] will be a complicated, difficult and rocky team [to face], but our philosophy is to focus all our efforts on ourselves,” he said at a Press conference.
“It’s easier for a team that have changed little [to adapt to La Liga], although there’s also a difference in quality between the first and second tiers.
“In my head I have a good idea [of the team I’ll play], but it’s been decided in part by the injuries we have [referring to midfielder Ignacio Camacho].
“We come into the new season a little short in terms of training as group, but [the lads] are good professionals and have shown attentiveness.
“[On only 19 players in his first matchday squad], there will be more opportunities [for those omitted] because the season has just begun.
“We’re still lacking a goalkeeper and a striker, but the club are aware of the situation and will decide what they deem appropriate.”
