Darder: ‘Malaga deserve Euro spot’

Malaga midfielder Sergi Darder believes Los Blanquiazules are worthy of finishing in a European place this season.

The next week will go a long way to deciding Javi Gracia’s team’s fate this term – Sunday’s clash with Deportivo la Coruna is followed by the midweek game at Celta Vigo and a visit from Elche – but Darder insists seventh-place Malaga have what it takes to achieve a Europa League spot.

“This team deserves to play in Europe because we were unfairly robbed last year [by a UEFA ban] and to do that we must beat Depor,” the Spain Under-21 international told a Press conference.

“We have good people here and have a complete and brave team that is highly mobile, but Depor are playing to avoid relegation and will be fighting for their lives against us.

“We know about them from when we played them before and although we won it was a very competitive game.

“The pressure they will want to put us under will make it difficult but hopefully we can get the three points because when La Rosaleda is full it’s always a plus factor for us.”

Along with fellow midfielder Ignacio Camacho the 21-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Costa del Sol this summer, yet he insists he is happy at the club.

“There is no need to leave Malaga because everyone who is here at the moment is happy. I’m fine and so is Camacho.

“The team, the fans and the general atmosphere is good and everything is favourable, but the important thing right now is Sunday’s game.”

Darder was asked his opinion on some of the decisions that have gone against his team in recent weeks, particularly in the games against Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

“Dubious decisions have always gone in favour of the big clubs, although I’m not saying referees are against us. I don’t think that’s the case.

“The officials have a tough job and the only thing we can do is dedicate ourselves to playing and hope we get the decisions against other teams,” he replied.

Tags Darder
La Liga - Club News