Roque Santa Cruz is looking forward to facing old side Real Betis this weekend and is targeting taking home three points for Malaga.
The Costa del Sol side journey across Andalucia to face local rivals Betis this Sunday evening sitting in the fourth and final Champions League position.
That is six points ahead of Pepe Mel’s side, who are seen as outside candidates to take European football themselves this season.
So for Santa Cruz, points at the weekend are valuable.
“It’s crucial that we stay in our position until the end of the season,” declared Santa Cruz to reporters today.
“It’s not going to be easy, but we’ve been performing well in away games recently so we need to maintain our good run of results.
“We’re going to Seville determined to win on Sunday, to maintain fourth position.
“We’ve reached a time in the season where we’re doing very well in away matches, and we want to improve after our performance in Porto.
“Despite the importance of this League clash, it’s still a derby.
“Betis will be fighting for the chance to get in the running for a place in the Champions, and will be doing everything in their power to achieve their aim.”
Santa Cruz spent last season on loan from Manchester City at the Benito Villamarin.
“I want to play the best football I can and hopefully I can score. Football always brings a lot of joy, the biggest of all being a goal.
“I’ll always have a great respect for the Betis fans for the time I spent at the club.”
