Roque Santa Cruz has reflected on Malaga’s challenge in balancing Champions League football with trying to qualify for it again for next year.
The Costa del Sol outfit are in the last eight of this year’s competition, but have slipped to sixth in La Liga after seeing domestic form falter.
For Santa Cruz, the battle to finish in the fourth and final Champions League position this term is slightly against Malaga, for their commitment to this term’s edition of the tournament.
“It’s a more difficult situation for us, as a certain degree of concentration will always be focused on the Champions League, and we’d do anything to continue on in the competition and get as far as possible,” reflected the Paraguayan to reporters today.
“It’s important that we enjoy the moment, but make sure we have the right balance between the Champions and the League matches.
“The next two League matches against Rayo Vallecano and Real Sociedad are like two finals, as both teams are direct rivals to us. The good news is that we have all week to prepare for these games.”
Santa Cruz came off the bench in the Champions League Last 16 to score the winning goal to book Malaga’s place in the quarter-finals.
“It’s one of the most rewarding goals of my career, knowing we were making history reaching the Champions League quarter-finals, and how important it is for the fans and the Club.
“It’s very gratifying to be part of such a crucial result in the club’s history.”