Malaga midfielder Duda has bristled at suggestions he should make way for the club’s youngsters in the twilight of his career.
The Portuguese international was questioned at a Press conference about some recent below par performances and whether he was still happy at the club, whilst also contending that priorities at La Rosaleda have now changed with regard to the European adventure of last season.
“What are you saying? I have a two-year contract with an option for another. Is it all about the youngsters? Have you ever heard me say anything?” replied the 33-year-old.
“What I want is that whoever plays does so to the maximum and does it well. We’ve just had two good seasons and now we’ve had to take a backward step, but the team knows what to do.
“You get used to the good times yet people must understand this is a new project. We hope that in a couple of years we can be back there [in Europe] again.”
Los Blanquiazules take on Athletic Bilbao next Monday, hoping to improve on a run that has seen just one win in the last eight matches, and Duda acknowledged it is going to be a difficult task
“It will be a hard game against a team with great players that is up there fighting for the European places, but we want to show we can be up there as well.
“We are at home in front of our own fans and we hope to get the three points,” he maintained, before insisting the squad’s unity will help them climb the table.
“The Malaga dressing room has always been the same whether we win or lose. Our success has been achieved thanks to the good group we have and I’m sure we are not going to lose that.
“We all have to be united because these players are capable of fighting and taking this club forward.”
