Demichelis: We must fight on

Malaga defender Martin Demichelis has urged his teammates to keep their heads up despite the crisis the club is enduring.

The Costa del Sol outfit have been put up for sale by their Qatari owners, with their finances in disarray and a transfer ban in place.

Key players from the last campaign, such as playmaker Santi Cazorla, have moved on and not yet been replaced.

“We must fight on despite our situation,” the veteran stopper declared ahead of the Anchovies’ Champions League play-off round encounter with Panathinaikos tomorrow night.

“Our supporters in Malaga will cheer us on no matter what and we must win for them. I am very much committed to the cause and I believe my teammates are too.”

The Argentine featured in his side’s narrow win against newly-promoted Celta Vigo on Saturday and the experience left him encouraged about their prospects this season.

“The atmosphere in the dressing room against Celta was good. Influential players have left us, but the win restored much needed confidence in the group. I believe we can still achieve something.”

Malaga Coach Manuel Pellegrini was so short on numbers at the weekend that he was forced to call up 16-year-old Fabrice Olinga, but the teenage striker surprisingly went on to score the winning goal.

“Fabrice is only 16 and still too young to assume such responsibilities in the team,” Demichelis reasoned. “But I firmly believe he can develop into a good player for us.”

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