Roque Santa Cruz has affirmed that Malaga will pressure Real Sociedad to the end of the season, but that Europa League qualification wouldn’t be a disaster.
The Costa del Sol outfit have slipped in the table to five points behind La Real in the fourth and final Champions League qualification berth.
“We’re aware that Real are playing excellent football at the moment, but we’re totally focused on keeping the pressure on them,” Santa Cruz commented to reporters this week.
“If we’re unable to qualify for the Champions, then we’ll make the Europa League.
“Qualifying for Europe is so important for the club, and such a great achievement for the team, following our successful debut performance in the Champions this season.
“All the remaining games will be tough. Matches against teams fighting relegation could prove to be the most difficult, more so than Real Madrid or Barcelona.
“Right now, our trickiest rival is Granada, as they’re closest to us in the League. Three crucial points from this weekend’s game would move us closer to Real Sociedad.
“There are still matches left to play before the end of the season, and as a striker I always aspire to do more.
“I hope I can score more goals before the end of the year, as we’re fighting until the end to qualify for the Champions League.”
